East Fork of the Sevier River Scenic Backway (Forest Service Road 087)

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4/5 (10 reviews)
Bryce Canyon City, Utah (Garfield County)
Last Updated: 07/01/2020

Trail Information

Highlights

Situated near Bryce Canyon City, the East Fork of the Sevier River Scenic Backway stretches south for 17 miles along the edge of Bryce Canyon National Park before arriving at Tropic Reservoir, a great place on hot days that offers trout fishing, a boat ramp, picnicking, and camping. In addition, the road connects you to several other four-wheel drive roads and possible routes. A great place for horseback riding, snowmobiling, ATV/UTV activities, and plenty of Ponderosa Pine and Aspen viewing. This area lets you witness the off the beaten path hoodoos and pinkish colored rocks that Bryce Canyon National Park is known for.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4/5 (10)
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400
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 06/25/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Smooth trail. Better maintained than many hwys. We only traveled to the Tropic Reservoir and also took fr088 and fr096 down to the gated boundary of Bryce NP. All very beautiful and easy
Trail Review: East Fork of the Sevier River Scenic Backway (Forest Service Road 087) - Chris
Trail Review: East Fork of the Sevier River Scenic Backway (Forest Service Road 087) - Chris
Seasonal Closure
Visited: 04/16/2023

Closed and too much snow still this far in April.
Open
Visited: 03/17/2023

Tried this 3/17 and couldn’t even reach the Ranger station due to snow and it was being plowed, so perhaps another day…
Not Reported
Visited: 04/02/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

I drove all through this area when I went to visit Bryce Canyon. I took a day to explore outside the park and found this area to be almost as magnificent as it was inside the park. The trees and fields were beautiful and the lake areas were just as spectacular. I cant wait to come back and do some camping here.
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 03/26/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Beautiful views and lots of spurs you can take to add some fun to the journey. Unfortunately, the road was closed (locked gate) just past dispersed campsite 1. Lots of mud and some snow here. We ended up heading toward Whiteman Bench to check that area out, but about 2.5 miles in the snow was about a foot or more deep and the mud was pretty bad. Ended up turning around. Tropic Reservoir was iced over still. Still a nice drive and fun if you’re into mud.
Trail Review: East Fork of the Sevier River Scenic Backway (Forest Service Road 087) - RICHARD STACKON
Trail Review: East Fork of the Sevier River Scenic Backway (Forest Service Road 087) - RICHARD STACKON
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