cottonwood canyon road

I love doing the Johnson Canyon - Skutumpah - Cottonwood Canyons Loop out of Kanab, UT. Fascinating, and always something new to explore...great side hikes (the visitors office in Kanab is real good about pointing out some of the neat little slot canyons, the fossilized oyster beds, the hike at Cottonwood Narrows. Lovely road to photograph late afternoon; avoid during rain! After coming out Cottonwood, I like to stop at the Old Paria site - just drive down that road and be lost in the grandeur of the brightly striped rocks of the ancient Chinle layer. This region is simply unbelievable, mind-blowing beautiful.

We took this route as a short cut through Escalante. It was so beautiful. We had a 4-wheel drive and I would not recommend trying to take a vehicle that was not. In July/August, the rains are unpredictable and we knew an afternoon storm could impact the road and mean we had to turn around, so we left early. Lots of places to stop, get out and explore.

Make sure you leave enough time for the drive, and have a good vehicle. leave yourself at least 3-4 hrs more if plan to return alone the same route to take in all the photo opportunities

Having walked into Buckskin Gulch twice already, we were looking for something else to do. Cottonwood Canyon Road seemed to be in better condition than House Rock Road usually has been and gave us no problems except maybe for one sandy dip. Our goal was primarily the two mile round trip up Cottonwood Canyon Narrows (we opted to come back down the road once the hike up the canyon was done.) It was a nice hike, sort of like a smaller version of Buckskin itself. After that we drove the additional five miles or so to Grosvenor Arch. It was sort of anticlimatic but if you've driven that far, you really should go on to see it.

If you are driving on US 89 between Page and Kanab on your way to Bryce Canyon – the normal black-top route, you might consider taking the short-cut through Cottonwood Canyon. This will save you 60 miles, but probably take you about the same time.There is nothing wrong with the highway, but taking Cottonwood Canyon will give you a sense of adventure and the opportunity to visit Grosvenor Arch or even take a short hike through Cottonwood Narrows slot canyon.If you do choose this way, it is best if you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle. Regular cars will have no trouble if the weather has been dry for a few days, but if it is wet, then some of the road turns to very slippery mud that even a 4X4 might have trouble with in a couple of places.Even if you don’t hike through the narrows, (both ends of it are well signed) it is a good scenic experience as you drive through the weird formations of the Cockscomb. Grosvenor Arch too is worth the very short diversion towards the northern end of the route before you reach Cannonville.I’ve driven this route maybe 6 times, in both directions, and never had more trouble than a little slipping and sliding in sections where previous rain had not completely dried up – but I have a 4X4 – so know what you are getting into if the weather forecast is iffy.The turn-off for Cottonwood Canyon is well signed on US 89, it is a couple of miles east of the White House trail head road and ranger station.Take this road for the experience, not to save time.

We went to see Grosvenor Arch which was actually much more impressive than in pictures. We hiked the narrows which was both beautiful and fun. Hackberry Canyon was fantastic but we hiked it in our boots not realizing it was a water route. The Paria Box also a water route was very unpleasant hiking; if you want a picture you don't have to hike the whole trail. The Cockscomb was fantastic!

We ventured onto Cottonwood Canyon Road with some trepidation. I read various descriptionsof the road not being regularly maintained and requiring a high-clearance 4WD vehicle, to claims of it being fine for ordinary passenger cars. On a dry day, in a dry week in mid-April, it was fine. Our rental car (another reason to be nervous - not supposed to be taken on unpaved roads) wasn't high-clearance, but it was at least 4WD (a Subaru Outback - with Dollar at Las Vegas airport having failed to come up with the Jeep Grand Cherokee we'd booked months in advance). The road was a little rough in patches, and some of the southern parts ran over clay - which would clearly be impassable after rain - but on the whole our Subaru was fine. So, after all that angst, was Cottonwood Canyon worth it? Oh yes! We drove the whole length - south to north - from US89 up to Kodachrome Basin State Park. After the first mile or two, the road descends into the river valley, with lots of (I assume) Cottonwood trees. A couple of miles later, the main feature of the road, the Cockscomb, comes into view. The road winds in and out of this, with various other weird and photogenic rock formations along the way. Towards the northern end is Grosvenor Arch, and then some spectacular vistas as the road descends towards Kodachrome. If you want the really scenic route from Kanab or Page to Bryce Canyon (or vice versa), this is it! Just check current road conditions with the BLM first...

This is a beautiful drive. Its 45 miles and takes a couple of hours to get through it. Make sure you budget for a day and spend some time in the slots, or just hiking around.

Discovered this on my first trip to the US about 14 years ago as it turns out it is a great scenic alternative than going on road from Page to Bryce Canyon NP or Kodachrome SP be advised it is about 45 miles long in total.I would advise against attempting it if its been raining hard (or looks like it is going to!!) as the trail becomes impassable pretty quick!Anyway when dry it is easily travelled in a stock SUV there are plenty of good views and rock formations to see, do make a point of stopping and having a look at cottonwood canyon it is a brilliant slot canyon and goes on for quite a way. have been back several times and it never fails to dissapoint

It is beautiful but traveled road usually with a lot of waterboarding. One hill will stop you if it is wet.

We went with a guid from the museum and learnt a lot about the Laura and fauna taking in the views as we climbed it was worth the trip.

Suffers by comparison. If located elsewhere would be a great atttraction. The canyon is pretty but is surronded by greatness.

This road has so many great hiking opportunites. It could take a couple of days to finish it if you took advantage of all of them. I found outstanding The Narrows and The Yellow Rock Mountain.

Super scenic drive. We hiked up Yellow Rock and then Hackberry Wash- had both to ourselves on a Thursday morning. Also checked out Grovesner Arch. We could have spend several days exploring the area, but had plans beyond.Do not attempt road when wet- even with 4WD.

The formation of the cockscomb was incredible. Candyland was further down the road. Both are very picturesque; amazing.