Cottonwood Canyon Road

Cottonwood Canyon Road winds through Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument for 47 miles, starting near Cannonville at the intersection of Scenic Byway 12 and ending at Scenic Highway 89 near milepost 18.

Some people use the road as a scenic “shortcut” between Bryce Canyon National Park and Lake Powell, but plan at least half a day for exploring some of Cottonwood Canyon’s narrow slot canyons, natural stone arches, and gorgeous Navajo sandstone cliffs and formations. Cottonwood Canyon Road is paved from Cannonville to Kodachrome Basin State Park. From there, the unpaved backcountry road cuts through colorful Cottonwood Canyon following the curves of the Paria River and Cottonwood Wash for most of the way. The road gives access to Cottonwood Canyon’s can’t miss highlights like Kodachrome Basin State Park, Grosvenor Arch, views of Paria Valley, Butler Valley, Lower and Upper Slickrock, and Cockscomb Ridge, as well as to trailheads and spur roads for slot canyons like Cottonwood Narrows, Bull Valley Gorge, Willis Creek, Sheep Creek, Lick Wash, Round Valley Draw, and Hackberry Canyon.