The Bicentennial Highway
121 Miles of Raw, Untamed WildernessHighway 95
Highway 95, famously known as the Bicentennial Highway, is a route that demands respect and rewards curiosity. Dedicated in 1976 to celebrate the nation’s 200th birthday, this paved ribbon of asphalt replaced what was once a treacherous, multi-day journey over dirt tracks and river ferries. Today, it serves as a 121-mile gateway into the most isolated reaches of the Colorado Plateau. As you leave the outpost of Hanksville, the landscape immediately shifts into a high-drama theater of geology. To your west, the jagged, snow-dusted peaks of the Henry Mountains rise abruptly from the desert floor, while the road ahead plunges into the deep, pockmarked sandstone of the North Wash.
Traveling this road is an exercise in true desert solitude. Between the gateway towns of Hanksville and Blanding, there are virtually no services, no cell signal, and very few fellow travelers. This silence allows for a deeper connection to the land, where you can explore the prehistoric remnants of Ancestral Puebloan dwellings at Mule Canyon or witness the raw power of the Colorado River at the Hite Crossing Bridge. Whether you’re stopping to hike the hidden falls at Hog Springs or simply pulling over to absorb the vastness of the Dirty Devil river basin, Highway 95 offers a rare glimpse of the American West in its most unedited state.
Curated Experiences
A Billion Years of Erosion
Front-row seats to the carving of the Colorado Plateau.More Things To Do
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Hog Springs Rest Area: A desert oasis with a hidden waterfall. A short, half-mile hike leads to a pool fed by a year-round spring, surrounded by towering red walls.
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North Wash Canyons: A world-renowned destination for technical canyoneering. Canyons like Leprechaun and Shenanigans offer narrow slots that are favorites for experienced adventurers.
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Mule Canyon & Butler Wash: Explore ancient history along the roadside. These sites feature Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and kivas that are easily accessible via short walks.
Know Before
You Go
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Is the road paved? Yes, Highway 95 is a high-quality paved state highway, though it is very remote.
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Where is the best place to stop for a break? Hog Springs is the most scenic developed rest stop, offering picnic tables, vault toilets, and a suspension bridge over the creek.
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Can I see Lake Powell from the road? Yes, you will cross the upper reaches of Lake Powell at Hite, though water levels vary significantly throughout the year.