The northern portion of the Notom-Bullfrog Road of Utah begins in Capitol Reef National Park off of Highway 24, 9 miles east of the Visitor Center and heads south along the western portion of the Henry Mountains towards Highway 276, the Bullfrog Marina, the Colorado River, and Lake Powell of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The road is roughly 66 miles long with only 15 of those miles paved. It doesn’t necessarily require 4WD, although high clearance is required, but any roads that branch out for trailheads and viewpoints do require 4WD.

As you drive through the Strike Valley at the start of the dirt road, the Waterpocket Fold with its many arches and slot canyon hikes stays to your right while the Henry Mountains tower to your left. Then around mile 21, the secluded Cedar Mesa Campground appears. When my wife and I stayed there many years ago, it was snowy and windy but still worth it.

After another 13 miles driving south through the Strike Valley you’ll reach the amazing Burr Trail and her switchbacks which rise 800 feet in half a mile. I have a whole page for the amazing Burr Trail. After that pull off you’ll continue to drive through the valley with the colorful and mysterious Waterpocket Fold to the west.

The entire time you’ll have access to an incredible view of the Henry Mountains and their remote beauty. The land also becomes somewhat lunar on account of the grey earth.

If you’ve got 4WD and some extra time, don’t miss the Halls Creek Overlook off of Big Thompson Mesa Road (~13 miles south of the Burr Trail Switchbacks) which is itself off of the Notom-Bullfrog Road. The lookout at the top of Hall Mesa lets you see down into the incredible Halls Creek Valley and into the Waterpocket Fold. It’s got a nice view of Brimhall Bridge in the Fold and there’s a hike down into the valley and through the area (steep multi-day hike through Halls Creek Narrows, The Gulch, Waterpocket Fold, etc). The overlook also lets you see far north and far to the south as well as offering yet another incredible view of the Henry Mountains. The road is 2.8 miles (one-way) on some bumpy rocks. You’ll absolutely need a high clearance vehicle and also 4WD is optimal.

Eventually the red cliff views to the south get more dramatic as you approach Glen Canyon, Lake Powell, and the Colorado River. The entire drive there are primitive camping spots but the only place with a pit toilet that I know of is the Cedar Mesa Campground mentioned earlier. Any one of the turn outs would be a fantastic spot to camp and call base camp though.

Finally the road turns eastward as you descend and link up with Highway 276 where you can either head north towards Highway 24 or head south towards the Lake and its radioactive water. I’ve driven the Notom-Bullfrog Road 4 times now but I will be back again and again. There is always new sights to see and places to explore.