Trail Overview
The overall environment of Bureau of Land Management 182 features a stunning, expansive desert landscape that offers truly unique, sweeping views of the majestic Colorado National Monument to the south and the jagged Book Cliffs to the north. Beginning just off Bureau of Land Management 177, this highly scenic route stretches steadily toward County Road 21 through a beautifully quiet, wide-open desert setting. Along the journey, you will find excellent recreational amenities, including a popular hill-climbing area around the 0.4-mile mark that features multiple dirt bike obstacles and a conveniently located parking area perfect for staging. Shortly past this, near the 1.1-mile mark, a solitary dispersed campsite offers a great spot to pause, while the far end of the trail completely opens up to dozens of fantastic dispersed camping opportunities for a peaceful night under the dark desert sky. Because this multi-use route is open to hikers, horseback riders, and all motorized vehicles, it frequently intersects with numerous bustling motorcycle and mountain bike tracks. Please drive carefully and keep a constant, vigilant watch for fast-moving crossing traffic to ensure a safe adventure for everyone.
Difficulty
Earning a moderate difficulty rating of 3 out of 10, the trail surface consists almost entirely of soft, powdery dirt that can become extremely slick and incredibly difficult to safely navigate after a heavy rain. The adventure starts off mildly with shallow 2- to 4-inch ruts, but you will quickly encounter a much more demanding obstacle near the 0.5-mile mark. This steep, uneven section requires approximately 16 to 18 inches of approach and departure clearance, making it highly advisable to engage all-wheel or four-wheel drive, and it is absolutely not suitable for towing trailers or driving exceptionally long-wheelbase rigs. As you continue further along the route, the dirt trenches become noticeably more pronounced, with ruts increasing to 8 and 10 inches deep. To conquer these sections while protecting your bumpers, simply pick a thoughtful line, carefully straddle the deepest washouts, and maintain a steady, highly controlled momentum.
