Overview: The Trail Canyon Area is located just northwest of Kanab, UT, and the route system in this area provide unique access to landscapes that are similar to those found in Paunsaugunt and Zion National Park. Trail conditions range from sandy and smooth to rocky routes that will challenge any machine. The trail is popular for the access it provides to scenic overlooks over the Virgin River and Zion from a distance.
Getting There: Poverty Road is South from Zion Park Scenic Byway (you’re not in the park yet) with easy access from St. George or Kanab, UT. Within the first half mile of Poverty Road there are several areas to stage. From the beginning of the road to the end of Poverty Road, it is about 9 miles. At the beginning of the trail you will see the Wilderness Study Area sign. To reach the end of the trail, you will go through two different State Trust Land parcels. There is good signage to let you know when you are on SITLA land and BLM land. GPS Coordinates: 37.17019, -112.81416
Route Conditions: There is an Instagram account of a recovery service that documents photos of tourists who take rental cars and less-than-capable vehicles into areas like this. Don’t be that person. A UTV or well-equipped Jeep are the best vehicles for exploring this route. A full-size truck or SUV will likely not be able to make certain parts of the trail. This is a popular area for hunters so you may come in contact with other users, so please be careful going around some of the tight turns. Be respectful of all users of the trail, and be sure to have a tall flag installed on your machine to prevent collisions on blind corners and hills. The route is a mix of deep sand, rock gardens and tight turns.
This route report is part of a larger guidebook BRC is completing to educate users about high-value motorized trails that are at risk of closure if we don’t use them. This guidebook will be called the Lost Trails Guidebook, and has been funded by a generous grant from the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative with Jorgensen Powersports as a sponsoring dealer.
I don’t want to see this closed. They’ve closed a lot of what and where this road goes already. I grew up and call this area my home. It saddens me to see just how easily they take the access from not just the locals but every one that should be able to go here and everywhere else. Not enough people are taught to have good stewardship of the land and that’s why I feel they have the upper hand.