Utah · BLM San Rafael Swell Recreation Area
A remote north-to-south drive linking The Wedge, Buckhorn Draw, prehistoric rock art and the historic San Rafael Swinging Bridge — planned as a long day or a slower two-day trip.
Route overview
The core trip runs from the Castle Dale side of the northern Swell south through Buckhorn Draw and finishes at I‑70 Exit 131. The Wedge is a worthwhile out-and-back spur rather than part of a closed loop.
Buckhorn Draw Road is the main travel corridor through the northern San Rafael Swell. Along the way, the route passes designated camping areas, the Buckhorn Wash rock art panel and the San Rafael River crossing. Roads are remote, services are absent and conditions change quickly after rain.
The distance is an approximate planning range derived from official BLM access distances. Confirm the exact track in a current offline map before departure.
County roads may become hazardous or impassable to two-wheel-drive vehicles when wet or icy. Flash flooding is also possible, and BLM advises against parking or camping in washes. Use the latest BLM travel-management map because route designations were updated in December 2024.
Core itinerary
The sequence below follows a north-to-south trip. Times are intentionally flexible because road speed, weather and photography stops can change the day substantially.
Fuel, water and food should be handled before leaving pavement. BLM directions use the Green River Cutoff Road approach south of Castle Dale to reach Buckhorn Draw Road.
Take the signed spur to the Little Grand Canyon viewpoint. Camping is not allowed along the rim itself; use only signed designated camping sites before reaching the canyon edge.
The canyon contains numbered individual and group sites with picnic tables, fire rings and several vault toilets. These are fee sites, even though the official BLM page uses “dispersed campground” in the site name.
A roadside cultural stop with Barrier Canyon-style pictographs and petroglyphs, interpretive panels, a short trail, a pit toilet and shaded picnic tables. Do not touch, trace or mark the rock art.
Stop at the historic 160-foot suspension bridge and adjacent campground loops, then continue south to the confirmed I‑70 Exit 131 connection. The exit is the end of the core route, not Exit 129.
Where to camp
The previous version incorrectly described rim-top camping and Temple Mountain as free dispersed camping. Official BLM information identifies designated camping before the Wedge rim and fee campgrounds at Buckhorn Draw, Swinging Bridge and Temple Mountain.
Camping along the rim is not authorized. Follow signs to designated sites before reaching the canyon edge.
Numbered sites line roughly nine miles of the canyon road. BLM lists 26 individual sites and seven large group sites.
Three campground loops sit near the San Rafael River and historic bridge, including north, south and equestrian areas.
Good to know
Carry all drinking, cooking and emergency water. Official campground listings state that potable water is not available.
Fill up before leaving Castle Dale or another full-service town. Do not rely on fuel, food or repairs inside the Swell.
Download a current offline map and the current BLM travel-management map. Cell service is unreliable to nonexistent.
Cancel or reroute after rain, during flash-flood watches or when clay roads remain wet. Never camp in a wash.
High clearance, all-terrain tires, a full-size spare and basic self-recovery equipment provide a more appropriate margin than a low-clearance passenger car.
Stay on designated routes, use existing or numbered sites, protect cultural resources and pack out all waste.
Optional extensions
A separate southern-Swell extension reached after Exit 131. Temple Mountain Townsite is an official fee campground, not a free dispersed site.
A developed state-park visit with its own hours, fees and planning needs. Add it only when the schedule allows another half day or overnight.
A popular slot-canyon hike near Goblin Valley. Check weather carefully because narrow canyons are inappropriate during flash-flood risk.
FAQ
No. The core itinerary is a north-to-south point-to-point route from the Castle Dale side to I‑70 Exit 131. The Wedge is an out-and-back spur. Plan your return drive or vehicle logistics accordingly.
County roads may be manageable for suitable two-wheel-drive vehicles in fully dry conditions, but official guidance warns that wet or icy roads may become impassable. High clearance and four-wheel drive provide a safer margin, especially for side roads.
No. BLM states that camping along the rim is not authorized so the area remains available for parking, picnicking and day use. Use signed designated camping sites before reaching the rim.
No. The official BLM listing identifies numbered fee sites along Buckhorn Draw: $15 per night for individual sites and $50 per night for large group sites at the time of this update.
No reliable potable water is listed at Buckhorn Draw or Swinging Bridge campgrounds. Carry the full amount needed for driving, camping and emergencies.
The confirmed southern connection is I‑70 Exit 131. The earlier “Exit 129/131” wording was inconsistent and has been removed.
Official sources
This page uses official BLM and Utah State Parks information. Fees, road status, fire restrictions and route designations can change, so open the current sources immediately before travel.
Continue planning
Compare more CIWILD route and campsite guides, then save the official map and emergency information before leaving pavement.
