Upper Beaver Dam Wash

4.5/5 (2 reviews)
In the southwest, riparian canyons like this are very hard to come by; it's even rarer that you can drive through it. This natural oasis is hidden far out in the desert of Utah, making it an ideal place to get away from everything. Beaver Dam Wash flows through both the Cougar Canyon and Doc’s Pass...Read More
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Highlights of Upper Beaver Dam Wash

Camping Category IconCamping
Ghost Town Category IconGhost Town
Scenic Category IconScenic
Wash Category IconWash
Water Category IconWater
Highest Elevation
4134 ft
Shape of Trail
Out & Back
Typically Open
Year Round
Best Direction
N/A
Official Trail Name
Upper Beaver Dam Wash
Nearest Town
Santa Clara
Nearest Services
Santa Clara
Management Agency
Bureau of Land Management
District
St. George Field Office

Overview

In the southwest, riparian canyons like this are very hard to come by; it's even rarer that you can drive through it. This natural oasis is hidden far out in the desert of Utah, making it an ideal place to get away from everything. Beaver Dam Wash flows through both the Cougar Canyon and Doc’s Pass Wilderness areas while Slaughter Creek, a spur of this creek, flows through its namesake wilderness. The headwaters begin in the Dixie National Forest then flow into Nevada through Beaver Dam State Park. The stream again returns into Utah and is fishable on BLM lands upstream from the small community of Motoqua. Beaver Dam Wash also supports native rainbow trout and the Virgin spinedace, a native minnow-like species. In addition, a wide variety of mammals roam here, including elk, mule deer, mountain lion, ringtail, bobcat, badger, and both the common and kit fox. Wildlife is not just subject to the ground as many species of songbirds and raptors can be viewed in the native willows and cottonwood trees covering the canyon floor.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Guide Overview
13 Waypoints
41 Trail Photos
6 Trail Concerns
2 Community Reviews
1 Video
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