Curated route · verified camps and provenance

San Rafael Swell — Mexican Mountain Road

Region: San Rafael Swell, Utah
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 38 km
Surface: Graded dirt; sandy near the river
Technical: High-clearance 2WD (dry); 4WD if sandy
Season: Spring & Fall

Provenance

BLM: BLM Price Field Office — Mexican Mountain Road; motorized travel limited to the designated road beside the Mexican Mountain WSA. Dispersed camping per BLM Utah travel management.

About this route

A scenic out-and-back east from the Buckhorn corridor toward Mexican Mountain, ending near the San Rafael River and the historic Swasey airstrip at the Mexican Mountain Wilderness Study Area boundary. Easy graded dirt for most of its length with sandier going near the river. The road dead-ends at the WSA — no motorized travel beyond the designated route. A quiet alternative to the busier Buckhorn Wash, with good river access for the prepared.

Legal Camps

Mexican Mountain Road — Dispersed ✓ Verified

BLM dispersed (existing sites only) · 39.1000, -110.5400

Why it's legal: BLM Price Field Office — Mexican Mountain Road corridor; dispersed camping in established roadside sites only, outside the adjacent WSA.

no facilities · no water

Roadside sites with big-sky desert views. Do not drive or camp into the Mexican Mountain WSA. Pack out all waste; carry all water.

San Rafael River — Mexican Mountain End ✓ Verified

BLM dispersed (existing sites only) · 39.0680, -110.4980

Why it's legal: BLM Price Field Office — San Rafael River access near the Mexican Mountain road end; dispersed camping in previously-used sites only to protect the riparian corridor.

river nearby (treat water) · no facilities

Quiet sites near the river at road's end. The river is silty — filter and treat, or carry your own. Respect the WSA boundary just beyond. Flash-flood awareness in the canyon.

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