Old Ward Canyon Road

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4/5 (9 reviews)
Bountiful, Utah (Davis County)
Last Updated: 09/26/2022

Trail Information

Highlights

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Old Ward Canyon Road is one way to experience spectacular views close to home. It is a short offroad trail in Bountiful, Utah that takes you up onto the beautiful Wasatch Mountain range. The trail is perfect for when you get that itch to go off-roading but don’t have the time to go on a long trip. Old Ward Canyon Road can be done in just a few hours, so it’s an excellent day trip trail. At night, this trail is extraordinary! You can get up to the hilltop and overlook the cities in Davis County for miles. Additionally, a wide variety of wildlife can be encountered on this trail, including mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, or even moose if you’re lucky!

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

This trail is approximately 2.8 miles long, following an old rocky trail up the mountain above the Bountiful “B”. This trail has a total elevation climb of 1,700 feet. There are a couple of steep hill climbs; however, the most difficult one is optional. Along the trail, you will encounter a couple of obstacles where you can test out your suspension and driving skills. Depending on the time of year, you can also encounter quite a bit of mud due to spring runoff. During summer months, this trail can be pretty busy since it is so close to town. Be sure to keep an eye out for other drivers.

Trail Reviews

4/5 (9)
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100
Temporary Closure
Rated 5/5
Visited: 07/31/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

For those of you that think 2021 was a long time ago and maybe it has opened by now, it hasn't. This is still washed out around mile 3. You can get up to that point, but not even a dirt bike would be able to get past the washout as it is now.
Trail Review: Old Ward Canyon Road - Casey
Impassable
Visited: 10/30/2021

No point in going past (mi) 3. The trail is TOTALLY impassable by anything other than a dirt bike (super risky) plus help may not be able to get to you. Turning around at the washout is VERY TIGHT. Take the forest road from the trail head parking lot and save yourself the risk.
Trail Review: Old Ward Canyon Road - Chris Childers
Trail Review: Old Ward Canyon Road - Chris Childers
Impassable
Visited: 07/25/2021

The trail is washed out near the beginning and is not passable for Jeep’s. We approached the trail from the uphill end however we only will get ¼ of a mile in before having to turn around.
Partially Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 12/12/2020

Took the Skyline trail up and came down the top section of the trail. A couple substantial rock obstacles that would be tricky for a stock vehicle. These are right near the beginning (coming from the top) and the crux of the trail until of course you get to the washed out section that is only passable by foot or motorcycle. Fun little play area just above the impass.
Trail Review: Old Ward Canyon Road - Zackery Evans
Trail Review: Old Ward Canyon Road - Zackery Evans
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Impassable
Rated 4/5
Visited: 10/11/2020

Still impassible some where between points 4 and 5. Fun getting up but not fun backing down a mile trying to stay on the narrow trail. It was pretty sketchy at one point b/c slipping over the edge had a huge penalty for failure! It was raining at points but we managed to negotiate all of the obstacles with reasonable ease. We were in a Rubicon, had 35’s and both lockers engaged at times. It would be tough for a stock 4wd to negotiate some of the hills that we tackled. There may be alternate routes though.
Trail Review: Old Ward Canyon Road - Alec Charters
Trail Review: Old Ward Canyon Road - Alec Charters
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