Buckhorn Draw
BUCKHORN DRAW CAMPING and black dragon canyon // SAN RAFAEL SWELL
Nights out: 2 Miles driven: 394 Soundtrack: Josh Ritter — Heaven or Someplace as nice
Turns out the sleeping pad has a hole in it. Slept in the driver’s seat.
A quiet family camping trip through Buckhorn Draw, with desert roads, rock art, camp time, and a long central Utah unwind through the San Rafael Swell.
Day 1
I loaded up the truck with the entire family this time. We were stacked to the rafters and riding on the bumps. The wife and kids would be sleeping up in the RTT, and I'd be on the ground in my cozy one-man tent. We headed south to a part of the state I’d never seen before.
The Wedge is such an interesting formation. As you drive up, the landscape is dry sagebrush and the occasional scattered rock outcropping. If anything, it looks like a high and dry desert. Then, out of nowhere, the world falls away, and the Little Grand Canyon appears.
We set up camp just back from the rim and drew a cliff line in the sand. Kids couldn’t cross the line, or I’d kick their butts. The sun set, bats came out, and the wind died down. The evening was calm, warm, and crystal clear. We sat for hours seeing shapes in the stars and trying to find Mars.
Day 2
Morning broke, bacon was made, and we hit the road. We spent the morning exploring Buckhorn Draw, immersed in an almost spiritual history. The layers of rock, dinosaur tracks, and ancient art provided a sense of connection to something bigger.
The road turned from fast and gentle to slow and rough as we dropped into Black Dragon Canyon. The walls closed in and the historical connection came back. After the exposed Hell’s Revenge trail, the lack of cliffs to drive off was appreciated.
We headed back to camp, where the wind picked up. We spent an hour getting sandblasted by the wind, trying to get water to boil for a solid plate of camping Helth. The sun set, the wind died, and we were graced with another calm, warm, clear night by the fire.
As I crawled into the tent, my sleeping pad hissed as it went flat. I knew I was in for a man-maker of a night. I fought it for an hour before the rock in my ribs did me in. Defeated, I grabbed my pillow and headed to the truck. With the seat reclined and all my gear smashed into one corner, I ate another donut for company morale before wrapping up in a stolen Delta Airlines blanket.
Day 3
Somehow, I awoke a solid eight hours later feeling crispy and fresh. Miraculously, that was the first morning in years my back hadn’t hurt. Looks like I’ll be installing a Bronco driver’s seat in my bedroom.
More bacon, half of a day-old Cinnabon, and we hit the road, headed home.
NOTES FROM BUCKHORN DRAW
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Buckhorn Draw is in the San Rafael Swell in central Utah. It connects desert roads, canyon walls, rock art, camp areas, and access toward places like The Wedge Overlook and the Little Grand Canyon.
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Yes. Buckhorn Draw and the surrounding San Rafael Swell area have camping options, including dispersed desert camping in many areas. Conditions, access, and rules can change, so check current land management guidance before picking a spot.
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Yes, Buckhorn Draw can be a good family camping area if you are comfortable with desert roads, basic camp logistics, and keeping kids close around cliffs, washes, and rock features. It has enough scenery and wandering to make the trip feel easy to enjoy without needing a packed itinerary.
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In dry conditions, many main roads around Buckhorn Draw are manageable in a high-clearance vehicle, but weather can change the roads quickly. A capable 4x4 is useful if you plan to explore side roads, dispersed camp, or keep moving after storms.
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Buckhorn Draw Road is mostly a graded dirt road that runs through open desert and broad canyon scenery. It was relatively smooth and easy during our visit, although conditions can change after storms or heavy traffic.
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The biggest highlights are the Buckhorn Wash pictograph panel, dinosaur tracks, tall sandstone walls, and the nearby Little Grand Canyon overlook at The Wedge. It also connects well with other routes through the San Rafael Swell.
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Buckhorn Draw felt quiet during our trip, especially away from the major overlooks and rock-art sites. Weekends and mild spring or fall weather can bring more visitors, but the area is large enough that it is still possible to find some space.
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Spring and fall are usually the most comfortable seasons for exploring Buckhorn Draw. We visited in early spring and had warm days, cool evenings, and periods of strong wind. Summer can be extremely hot, while winter conditions may make the dirt roads less predictable.
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Download maps before leaving pavement, carry plenty of water, and check the weather and road conditions. Cell service and nearby services can be limited, and rain can quickly make desert roads and washes more difficult or dangerous.
NOTES FROM BLack Dragon Canyon
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Black Dragon Canyon Road is rougher and slower than the main road through Buckhorn Draw. The route narrows as the canyon walls close in, with rocky sections that require more careful driving and a capable high-clearance vehicle.
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Four-wheel drive is a good idea for Black Dragon Canyon, especially if conditions are wet or the road has been recently damaged. We found it noticeably rougher than Buckhorn Draw, and the extra clearance and traction made the drive more comfortable.
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Yes. We explored Buckhorn Draw first, then continued into Black Dragon Canyon as part of the same San Rafael Swell trip. The two areas pair well because Buckhorn Draw offers wider, easier desert roads while Black Dragon Canyon feels narrower, rougher, and more enclosed.
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Black Dragon Canyon is known for its narrow sandstone walls, rugged desert road, and ancient rock art. The drive feels more enclosed and technical than Buckhorn Draw, making it a good contrast within the same trip.
NOTES FROM The Wedge
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The Wedge is a dramatic overlook above the Little Grand Canyon in the northern San Rafael Swell. The surrounding landscape looks like open, high desert until the ground suddenly drops away into a broad canyon carved through layers of sandstone.
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The Wedge overlooks the Little Grand Canyon, with wide views across the canyon, layered cliffs, desert mesas, and the winding landscape below. It is especially striking because the canyon remains mostly hidden until you reach the rim.
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The Wedge can be a memorable family stop, but the rim has exposed cliffs and requires close supervision. We camped just back from the edge and established a clear boundary that the kids could not cross. There are places to explore away from the rim, but this is not an area where young children should wander freely.
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Yes. We found dispersed camping just back from the rim, with open views and enough room for our family setup. Because sites near cliff edges carry obvious hazards, use an established campsite, keep vehicles and tents safely away from the rim, and check current land-management rules before visiting.
Keep Wandering
More San Rafael Swell: New Boot Goofin’
More family desert camping: Dirt Castles Until Dark
More Moab slickrock nerves: Hell’s Revenge
