Trail Overview
FS 205 originates off Highway 89A at the Orderville Trailhead parking area, which features well-maintained vault restroom facilities at the trailhead. The trail begins as a smooth gravel road flanked by ponderosa pines and native grasses, with numerous dispersed camping areas accessible along the route. The surface is clean and even, presenting no technical obstacles, and connects seamlessly to several other trails in the surrounding area. As the trail progresses, the landscape transitions dramatically from open terrain into a corridor nestled between two mountain ridges, where the scenery tightens, and dramatic boulder formations cling to the surrounding hillsides. Camping opportunities become more limited in this stretch, though the trade-off is a more immersive and visually striking environment. Quaking aspens begin to appear alongside the pines, adding variety to the forest canopy. The trail sits at an elevation of approximately 7,900 feet and winds through rolling hills in the direction of the Grand Canyon, passing a historic corral and water tank set against a striking rock cliff backdrop. With miles of mixed aspen and pine forest, FS 205 is particularly spectacular during the fall season when the aspens display their full autumn color.
History
The Orderville Canyon area has deep roots in Mormon pioneer history. In 1863, Mormon settlers brought cattle and sheep into the canyon, making it a prime grazing area. The canyon takes its name from the Orderville United Order, a Mormon Church cooperative established around 1880. The broader region along Highway 89A was historically known as the "Honeymoon Trail," as young Mormon couples traveled the route to reach the temple in St. George, Utah, to have their marriages sealed.
