Trail Overview
Set across an expansive, sun-bleached high-desert badland landscape dominated by rolling clay hills and sparse sagebrush scrub managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), BLM 116 offers a quiet and scenic journey. Accessed directly off of BLM 115, this 2.8-mile single-lane dirt connector heads north toward the dramatic Book Cliffs, providing access deeper into surrounding public land networks. Outdoor enthusiasts, campers, and off-road recreators travel this path to locate private primitive camping spots, enjoy unobstructed panoramas of neighboring bluffs, or explore deeper desert trails. The driving surface consists of soft, powdery sand and fine silt featuring initial 5- to 6-inch wheel ruts, earning a beginner-friendly Grade 2 difficulty rating. Departing BLM 115, the track climbs gradually into low foothills with minimal elevation shifts. Multiple roadside turnouts along the way offer prime spots for dispersed camping with wide-open views. Travel should be strictly restricted to dry weather, as wet desert clay becomes extremely slick and difficult to navigate.
Difficulty
Earning an accessible Grade 2 difficulty rating, this 2.8-mile desert route presents a straightforward, unpaved track composed of soft sand, loose silt, and shallow 5- to 6-inch wheel ruts near the start. Technical rock obstacles, deep washouts, and steep hill climbs are absent under dry conditions, allowing most standard vehicles to traverse the route comfortably. Drivers should maintain a smooth, steady momentum through soft silt beds, keep wheels centered within established ruts, and avoid driving during or immediately after rain when the fine clay turns to sticky mud.
