Trail Overview
Water Hollow Road offers a scenic and accessible mountain drive perfect for beginner offroaders, families, and those seeking a scenic route through Utah's Wasatch Plateau. Spanning approximately 16 miles, this trail connects Interstate 70 on its southern end with Willow Creek Road at Anthony Flat to the north, climbing from an elevation of 5,790 feet to a peak of 8,525 feet. The route is ideal for stock four-wheel-drive vehicles, SUVs, and SxSs, boasting an easy technical rating of 2. Along the way, travelers will experience a stunning ecological transition as the trail winds through groves of pine and aspen at higher elevations before descending into dense scrub oak and sagebrush near the highway. The drive is particularly spectacular during the autumn months when the changing fall foliage paints the mountain slopes in vibrant hues of orange, red, and gold.
Most of the route consists of a well-graded dirt surface, though spring visitors should be prepared for muddy conditions during the snowmelt season. The trail features a manageable cumulative elevation gain of over 3,200 feet, with average gradients of around 4.5 degrees and a maximum steepness of 18 degrees, making it a smooth yet engaging drive. For those looking to extend their stay, the Anthony Flat area at the northern terminus offers several unmaintained, dispersed camping spots along with a Forest Service-maintained restroom facility. This trail serves as an excellent connector to further backcountry exploration on the Wasatch Plateau, providing easy access to surrounding routes while remaining manageable for almost any high-clearance vehicle under dry conditions.
