East Clark Bench ~ Big Water Utah ~ Dirt Road
Type of Road: 4×4 two Track
Length: 26 miles round trip
Difficulty: 4×4 Truck= Easy
Terrain: Moderately Soft Sand, Minor Rock Crawling
Destination: Multiple overlooks of Paria Canyon/Plateau
Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet
Directions to the Road
Turn off of Highway 89 in Big Water, Utah on Ethan Allen St. On a maintained gravel road go past the Big Water Visitor Center and then a mile later the Under Canvas Campground. After the Campground the road will turn into sand and require four wheel drive. There is one spot that might confuse you at a fence line. You will want to take a left and then an immediate right. Don’t go down the fence line!
Paria Overlook Drive Description
This drive takes you to the top of East Clark Bench, offering spectacular overlooks of Paria Canyon, the Paria Plateau, and, on clear days, views of the San Francisco Peaks 120 miles away. The road conditions are generally moderate, with some soft sand and a few mild rocky sections. Two-wheel drive vehicles are not recommended. This road borders the Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness once you reach the destination. There is ample signage and barriers marking this area to help you avoid driving through it. There is a very obvious parking area made of wooden logs at the best view point.
Several side roads, like Judd Hollow Spring, intersect East Clark Bench for those interested in further exploration. The route can be completed in a couple of hours with stops at the overlooks, but it can also be combined with West Clark Bench and Birthday Arch for a longer adventure. Dispersed camping is allowed anywhere along the drive.