Description
Mineral Bottom Road is a well-maintained dirt road. The first part of the road is level, wide and is more akin to a typical country road. As the road drops into Mineral Canyon at the switchbacks, the road narrows a bit while still allowing for vehicle to be able to pass. In the canyon’s bottom, Mineral Bottom Road withers out as it approaches Hell Roaring Canyon along the Green River.
This trail is suitable for most vehicles during dry conditions. Wet and snowy conditions make this road very dangerous. No off-road experience is necessary for this road, but be prepared for driving along cliff edges as you negotiate the switch backs.
Although this road is open year-round, sound judgement should be employed during wet and wintery conditions. The road surface can become slick when wet. Going over the edge while negotiating in the switchbacks could mean falling hundreds of feet and there are no guard rails on this road. Dangerousroads.org includes Mineral Bottom on their list.
Waypoints
1. Mineral Bottom Road Trailhead
(0 mi)
Mineral Bottom Road is well marked as from Utah 313. During the next few miles, Mineral Bottom Road will have numerous two-track spurs leading to some secluded dispersed camping spots as well as a few connecting off-road trails. Be sure to check this information in the camping section regarding BLM rules for camping in and around Moab, Utah.
2. Stay Straight at Unknown Road to the East
(0.6 mi)
Continue Straight. This is the start of many short spurs that emanate from Mineral Bottom Road. Many of these short spurs lead to dispersed camping locations.
3. Stay Straight at Unknown Road to East - Left
(1.25 mi)
Continue Straight. This is a short spur that takes off to the left. This is a camping loop that comes back out onto Mineral Bottom Road.
4. Straight at Unknown to Left
(1.5 mi)
Continue Straight. There are several nice dispersed camping spots available along this spur. Looking straight ahead, you can get a great view of the Henry Mountains in the distance. This mountain range lies about 100 miles to the southwest of Moab.
5. Straight at Unknown to Left and Camping
(1.9 mi)
Continue Straight. This spur is about ¼ mile long with a camping spot at its end.
6. Straight at Spur to the Right
(2.4 mi)
Continue Straight. This spur goes about ½ mile and dead ends.
7. Straight at Mineral Cut Off Trailhead
(2.7 mi)
Continue Straight. The spur to the right is Mineral Cutoff, a trail that connects to Mineral Point Road and Hell Roaring Rim. The spur to the left is an unmarked narrow trail as if it were an ATV route but it is not marked as such.
8. Straight at Unknown to Left Camping
(3.7 mi)
Continue Straight. It is unknown where this spur goes. Camping site are available along this spur.
9. Beehive Butte and Taylor Canyon Rim Trailhead
(3.85 mi)
Continue Straight. Off to the left here, are the Beehive Butte and the Taylor Canyon Rim trails. There are no signs marking these trails. Not to worry, TrailsOffRoad.Com has these trails mapped for you.
10. Straight at Unknown to Left with Camping along Bluff
(6.1 mi)
Continue Straight. The spur to the left dead ends at the small bluff. There are some camping opportunities here. The canyon that is in view to the right is the South Fork of Mineral Canyon.
11. Straight at Spur to Left
(6.5 mi)
Continue Straight. This trail to the left goes on for some distance along the bluff.
12. Straight at Spur to right - Canyon Overlook
(7.3 mi)
Continue Straight. At this point, you are following along Mineral Canyon which is off to your right. This spur ends at the canyon edge and offers a scenic view of the canyon below.
13. Straight at Spur to Left
(8.1 mi)
Continue Straight. This is a designated trail to the left, but it is not known where it ends.
14. Stay Straight at Spur to the Right
(8.4 mi)
Continue Straight. This spur dead ends in ½ mile at the edge of Mineral Canyon.
15. Stay Straight road to Left into Bluffs
(9.2 mi)
Continue Straight. Camping spots are available along this short spur that leads to the small bluff.
16. Stay Straight at Spur to Left
(9.75 mi)
Continue Straight. A short spur to the left the dead ends in about ½ mile.
17. Stay Straight at Spur to Right Mud Hole
(11.25 mi)
Continue Straight. The spur to the right can get a little muddy during wet conditions.
18. Stay Straight at Spurs
(12.5 mi)
Continue Straight. Don’t get distracted here. You are almost to the treasure you have been waiting for. The spurs to the left and right are not marked and it is unknown where they end up.
19. Top of the Canyon and Parking
(13 mi)
This is the part of the road for which you have been waiting. As you approach the tops of the canyon switchbacks, a small parking area is available. Here, you can get out and walk to the edge of the canyon descent and see what’s in-store for you. If you are nervous or apprehensive about proceeding to the canyon’s bottom, this is a great place to change your mind and turn around.
You will experience a drop of approximately 2,000 feet from here to the bottom of the canyon. Enjoy the descent and pay attention to the road.
20. Stay Straight at White Rim Trailhead
(14.3 mi)
The is one end of the White Rim Trail, a 4x4 trail that travels through the Canyonlands National Park. The White Rim Trail is popular with the 4WD and mountain bike communities alike. The White Rim Trail will be a two or three-day trip for vehicles and a three or four-day trip for bikes. High water conditions along the Green River can flood parts of the White Rim Trail making it impossible to complete the journey. If White Rim is in your plans, check road and weather conditions to be sure.
21. Boat Ramp and Vault Toilets
(15.2 mi)
After you negotiate your way down to the Green River, here you will find an improved area with a rustic boat ramp and two vault toilets. This is a great place to take a small break and grab some shade from the few trees available.
22. Straight at Mineral Canyon Road Trailhead
(16 mi)
Veer to the left. The only connecting road at the bottom of the canyon is Mineral Canyon Road. Mineral Canyon Road is an out and back trail that is only a few miles long. The site seeing from the bottom of Utah canyons is incredible and unlike anywhere else.
23. Trail End - Dead End
(18.2 mi)
Mineral Bottom Road withers away and becomes impassible as it begins to near the Hell Roaring Canyon along the Green River. If you have a large group, it is best to turn around at the previous waypoint as it can be difficult to find an appropriate spot to turn around.
