Trail Overview

This trail is a beautiful through route between Cub River Road in Idaho and Route 89 in Utah. Whether you start from Cub River Road or from the Utah end, the first several miles are graded gravel and wide enough to pass most of the way. Between Willow Flat Campground and Egan Basin, the road is narrower and rocky, with a moderate grade, winding through mature spruce trees beside a small stream. This stretch can have snow drifts until mid-June. Access to Franklin Basin is closed to wheeled vehicles from December 20 - April 15. This road is beautiful in the summer when acres of wildflowers bloom in the meadows. It is also exceptionally pretty in the fall. Great for snow wheeling before December 20.

Photos of Franklin Basin Idaho Section

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Difficulty

The deepest, longest lasting snow is just north of the high point. Start from the Idaho end when there is snow so that you're going uphill and don't drive downhill into something you can't get through or back out of.

Technical Rating

EZ Stark

Jul 05, 2025

Open

Lots of camping sites along the road so expect lots of SXS bombing down the road. The last few miles of the trail are not at all easy, and would recommend high clearance and good tires.

Spencer Hill

Jun 28, 2025

Open

Rough, Washed, steep with loose rocks. Large, deep ruts throughout the trail.

Jim Karp

May 17, 2025

Open

We started up the road going south from Willow Flat Campground and only made it about 2 miles before hitting deep snow. We were able to turn around though without getting stuck. There were several sxs buggies that also weren’t able to get through. We didn’t see any tracks going through either.

Peter nope

Sep 01, 2024

Open

Fairly easy trail just a ton of camping spots so you get a ton of riders. The last few miles are pretty rocky.

Tyler T

Aug 11, 2024

Open

Road is very washed out and has severe ruts and large boulders everywhere. Made some sections near impassible. The last 3-4 miles from the Egan Basin turn to Willow Flats was the worst of it. Would not suggest unless you have a well equipped and large off-road vehicle and have a good scout.

Trey Christiansen

Aug 11, 2024

Open

Rock slide + wash out makes it super difficult to pass past campgrounds all the way to Idaho boarder

Mortem Tyrannis

Sep 26, 2023

Open