Crosby Canyon - Rec Road 231

Total Miles 6.4
Technical Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time Spring, Summer, Fall
Trail Type Full-Width Road
Accessible By
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Trail Overview

Crosby Canyon is an unmaintained out-and-back dirt road that accesses Lake Powell's Warm Creek Bay. It is one of the only places to access the water on the Utah side of Lake Powell. The road winds through an undulating rock canyon that gets tight enough in places that it would be dangerous to be present during a flash flood. Once the canyon opens out to the lake, the road becomes soft sand that can be deep enough to require using four-wheel drive. The lake has been drained to historically low levels over the last few years, so accessing the water requires driving on what would normally be lake bottom. This is deep sand when dry and can become impassable when wet.

Photos of Crosby Canyon - Rec Road 231

Difficulty

Rated intermediate only because of the soft sand or likelihood of dealing with deep mud. This road should be marked as suitable for vehicles with 4wd only.

Technical Rating

4

Status Reports

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Jordan G
Jun 15, 2025
Open
Sandy washes galore! Go past this trail for some amazing views of Lake Powell and maybe even take a swim! Be cautious of very soft sands with a few sharp incline/declines of sand and rock. Airing down is recommended and 4wd is a must. After rains expect slick mud and a sizeable water crossing.
Olivier B
Nov 20, 2024
Open
The trail has surely been renovated, it’s a really smooth ride up to the shoreline where there’s some tricky areas with sand and rock where you need high clearance and 4wd. But pretty easy and stunning views! There’s a new trail classification and conventional motor vehicles are authorized on most trails (pickup truck, SUV…). Where it gets tricky is that new Shoreline Access Areas are created and would soon be open only through online permit reservation. The system is still in development so from what I’ve understood no permit is required for the moment. Check the Glen Canyon website for latest information.
Chris Cordes
Oct 22, 2024
Open
The trail is open, but you're no longer allowed to proceed to the water.
Jon Nethery
Apr 13, 2024
Open
Shawn Mitchell
Sep 22, 2023
Open
James Fletcher
Sep 08, 2023
Open
Daniel Singleton
Aug 04, 2023
Open
Michael Dorrett
Jun 29, 2023
Open
Brian Solomon
May 20, 2023
Open

Crosby Canyon - Rec Road 231 Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • High Clearance
  • Full Width

Crosby Canyon - Rec Road 231 Map

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