Birch Creek House, Escalante Utah

New, secluded, modern vacation rental on the Birch Creek, 5 miles from Escalante

Bring your ATV or UTV. Two of the best roads around Escalante, Main Canyon Road and the road up to Barker Reservoir, start right by the house, so you can head out without loading up the trailer. The Little Desert riding area is just a few minutes away on the other side of Highway 12.

ATV/UTV riding map near Birch Creek House

Barker Reservoir Road (North Creek Road / FR 149)

This road climbs about 16.5 miles from the Highway 12 turnoff to Upper Barker Reservoir, where it dead-ends at over 9,000 feet in aspen and spruce forest. The last 3.4 miles are steep and one lane with switchbacks. At the top are Upper and Lower Barker Reservoirs with rainbow and brook trout, fishing docks, a Forest Service campground, and trails to more backcountry lakes. The aspens make it a great fall ride. It's a summer and fall road. Snow closes it in winter, and the Forest Service and BLM warn against it when it's wet or snowy.

Main Canyon Road (FR 017)

Main Canyon Road heads west from the house up the canyon toward the Griffin Top area of the Dixie National Forest. The Griffin Point south trailhead is about 10.7 miles from Highway 12. It's dirt and gravel and gets slick and rutted when wet, so check conditions after rain or snow.

Little Desert OHV Area

The Little Desert is a small (about 116-acre) riding area just west of Escalante, on the south side of Highway 12. It's open desert close to the house and good for a quick ride.

The Little Desert turnoff from Highway 12


The Little Desert turnoff from Highway 12. Image: Google Street View

Before you ride

  • Check Utah's current OHV rules before you come. Out-of-state riders may need a Utah nonresident OHV permit, and Utah requires an OHV education course. See recreation.utah.gov.
  • Only ride on roads and trails marked open. Check the current Dixie National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map and BLM maps, or stop at the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center.
  • To cross Highway 12, come to a full stop, yield to traffic, and cross at a right angle.
  • Mountain weather changes fast. Check road conditions, carry water, and tell someone where you're going.

Ready to ride? Check availability and book at birchcreekhouse.com.