Navajo Ridge Road - Level 1

Navajo Ridge Road climbs through the high forest just outside Brian Head, Utah, following the shoulder of Navajo Peak before crossing onto Brian Head Ski Resort land near the top. The route is short, easy to navigate, and lined with dispersed campsites for most of its length, making it a good option for a relaxed evening drive or a base camp scouting trip.

The road tops out near 10,200 feet, giving open views across the Markagunt Plateau before dropping back down toward the ridge on the far end. Cedar Breaks National Monument sits just a few minutes away by highway, and Brian Head town is within easy reach for supplies or fuel.

Trail Summary

• Location: Brian Head, Utah
• Distance: 2.4 miles
• Difficulty: Level 1
• Elevation: From 9,618 feet to 10,248 feet with a 630 foot change
• Travel Time: 15 minutes

Difficulty

Suitable for high clearance 2WD

Stock equipment is enough for this route, and no special gear is needed. The surface is dirt and light rock with gentle grades and good traction throughout, and the road stays wide enough for two vehicles to pass for most of its length. There is one short stretch near the upper end, close to where the road tops the ridge, that has been noted as a slower, more attentive spot, though it still falls within Level 1 limits.

Terrain

The lower half of the road winds through open and shaded forest packed with dispersed campsites, more than a dozen in total, ranging from tight single-rig spots tucked under trees to larger group sites out in the open. Pit toilets serve one of the larger camping areas near the start. Farther along, the road crosses onto private land belonging to the ski resort, where the route stays clearly defined even though the surrounding terrain looks open enough to wander off of. The road continues to climb gradually toward the ridge before easing back down on the north end near Navajo Peak.