Burr Trail Road winding through the red sandstone walls of Long Canyon, Utah, USA.
Burr Trail is a scenic backcountry road crossing the sandstone country between Boulder and Capitol Reef, with one of its most distinctive sections passing through Long Canyon. The road runs beneath high red sandstone walls before continuing across exposed slickrock, mesas and desert terrain. Road curves, canyon walls and changing geological layers provide opportunities for both intimate canyon compositions and broader desert landscapes.
37.91850, -111.23907
Gallery
Quick Facts
Access
Roadside / Step-out
0–5 min
Elevation Gain
5 m
Best Light
Low-angle light reveals texture and layering across the canyon walls, while reflected light retains colour within shaded sections of Long Canyon.
Why This Light
Season
Seasonally Distinct
Summer brings dry desert vegetation, warm sandstone colour and occasional storm clouds above the canyon walls and surrounding plateaus. Winter brings paler vegetation, lower-angle shadows and occasional snow across the higher surrounding terrain.
Crowds
Usually Quiet
Restrictions
Long Canyon is reached directly along Burr Trail Road east of Boulder, with many compositions accessible from roadside pull-offs or very short walks. The paved section through Long Canyon is generally straightforward in normal conditions, while Burr Trail becomes unpaved farther east and conditions vary substantially along the wider route. Snow, flooding or storm damage can affect access, so current road conditions should be checked before travelling beyond the maintained paved section.