This Utah Canyon All-American Road Is the Ultimate US Road Trip

Red canyons, rock tunnels, ancient ruins, and plunging waterfalls are just some of the spectacular sights lining Utah's Scenic Byway 12. Affectionately dubbed “A Journey Through Time,” this epic stretch winds through some of the West’s most dramatic terrains and cultural landmarks. Rising and falling through the Colorado Plateau, road trippers can marvel at Boulder Mountain’s 11,000-foot peak right from their car windows. Paired with canyon-strewn parks, striking archaeological sites, and spellbinding hiking trails along the way, this All-American Road is the ultimate US road trip for wanderlusts, history buffs, and sightseers alike.

Directions, Cost, & Time To Drive

Threading through south-central Utah, Scenic Byway 12 (SR-12) connects the counties of Garfield and Wayne. Beginning near the city of Panguitch, the 124-mile drive starts at the intersection of Hwy 89 and SR-12, ending at State Route 24 near the town of Torrey. The route itself is free to drive, but make sure to factor in fuel costs and optional entrance fees along the way, including state and national parks.

Without stops, Scenic Byway 12 takes about 3 hours to drive. Some choose to drive straight through, enjoying jaw-dropping views right from their car. That being said, the natural, recreational, and cultural attractions lining this All-American Road are truly unforgettable and well worth the pause. Whether stopping for hours or turning your trip into a multi-day adventure at a campsite or cabin, this Scenic Byway is a bucket list-worthy adventure.

Is Scenic Byway 12 Open Year-Round?

Byway 12 is fully paved and generally open year-round, but weather conditions may cause temporary closures during the winter. Severe snowfall can render sections impassable until ploughed, especially at higher elevations such as the Boulder Mountain stretch. Freezing temperatures can also lead to icy roads, impacting driving conditions. Road trippers are encouraged to check weather and road updates beforehand using resources like the UDOT Traffic website.

Red Canyon Tunnels & Trails

Traveling east from Panguitch, one of the first highlights of Byway 12 is driving through Red Canyon. Located in Dixie National Forest, 2 limestone arches frame the road, allowing travelers to drive through the cliff. Set amidst a backdrop of Ponderosa pines, these vermilion-hued tunnels were carved to create a dramatic gateway for travelers headed toward what is now Bryce Canyon National Park. Today, they hint at the splendor to come on your journey through Byway 12.

Notably, Red Canyon is a quieter alternative to the national park and can also be enjoyed without entry fees. Its trail system offers stunning views of the area’s rock formations on paths like the 0.8-mile Birdseye Trail and 3-mile Losee Canyon Trail. Road trippers can also visit the Red Canyon Visitor Center from Memorial Day to Labor Day for more information on hiking, sightseeing, and camping in the area.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Nearly 3 million people visit Bryce Canyon National Park every year, but its splendor is worth the crowds. Getting here from Byway 12 involves driving onto UT-63, and the detour is worth every second. Spanning 36,000 acres, the park is renowned for its surreal geology and sculptural landscape, including the largest concentration of hoodoos in the world. Formed by erosion over millions of years, these colorful, irregular rock spires are otherworldly, contained inside the natural Bryce Amphitheater.

For breathtaking scenes without breaking a sweat, the bowl-shaped basin can be viewed by driving the park’s 18-mile Scenic Drive. Sitting 8,000-feet high, Sunset Point is a highlight along this stretch, awarding dazzling views of the hoodoos below. Alternatively, hikers can enjoy a closer look at these magical spires on trails like the 8-mile Fairyland Loop.

Capitol Reef National Park

Situated in the heart of Utah’s red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park covers nearly a quarter million acres of canyons, cliffs, and natural bridges. Its main geologic feature is the Waterpocket Fold, the largest exposed monocline in North America. Often described as a "wrinkle" in the Earth’s crust, the dramatic formation stretches nearly 100 miles long.

Best viewed with a bird’s-eye view, visitors can marvel at the Waterpocket Fold from spots like the Strike Valley Overlook. For other jaw-dropping geology, hikers can explore the park's natural sandstone structures. Featured landmarks include the Grand Wash gorge, Hickman Bridge, and Cassidy Arch, the latter of which can be walked atop, unlike many of Utah's other arches.

Anasazi State Park Museum

Just six acres in size, Anasazi State Park may be small, but its history is colossal. Situated at the base of Boulder Mountain, this ancient site encompasses the ruins of an Ancestral Puebloan village, occupied by the Anasazi people circa 1050 to 1175 A.D. Discovered in 1958 and 1959, archaeologists unveiled nearly 100 historic structures and 1,000 artifacts, many of which are on display at the museum today. After touring these exhibits, visitors can venture back outside to explore replica ancient dwellings and original ruins, taking the same paths walked by the Anasazi people nearly 1,000 years ago.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is home to a treasure trove of awe-inspiring geological landforms, spanning Utah’s rugged and remote backcountry. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, this 1.9 million-acre region is a showstopper along Scenic Byway 12, boasting a dynamic mix of terrains, colors, and textures. From its towering Kaiparowits Plateau to its sculpted Escalante River Canyons, gargantuan geology blankets this vast, sequestered region.

Byway 12 is a gateway to some of the Monument’s best day hikes, including its Escalante River Trail. The 6-mile hike spotlights the racing waterway, its surrounding canyons, and extraordinary natural landmarks like the Bowington Arch. Further off the byway, a detour onto Hole in the Rock Road leads to the Spooky and Peekaboo Gulch. This Slot Canyon Loop Hike is a narrow maze of winding sandstone walls, thrilling all who pass through.

Lower & Upper Calf Creek Falls

Continuing through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, its sister waterfalls are a must-see addition. Lower Calf Creek Falls is the more popular of the 2, offering a larger drop and easier access. It can be reached on a flat, 6-mile out-and-back hike, which departs from the Calf Creek Campground right off Byway 12. Plunging 125 feet into a natural swimming hole, visitors can cool down and enjoy the view.

Similarly, the Upper Calf Creek Falls trailhead is just off Byway 12, but the journey is a different story. While shorter in distance, the 2-mile round-trip hike is far steeper, with some rock scrambling required. Still, the vistas along the way are absolutely mesmerizing, and the finale is well worth the trek. Upper Calf Creek Falls spills 87 feet into a cluster of scenic pools, ideal for a relaxing dip after the strenuous journey.

Best Time To Drive Scenic Byway 12

The best time to drive Byway 12 depends on what you want most out of your trip, and each season has its own strengths and drawbacks. Spring is a beautiful time to enjoy milder temperatures, wildflower blooms, and waterfalls at their best. However, snow may still cling to higher elevations, and seasonal rain can interfere with recreation. Make sure to check road and weather conditions ahead of your drive, no matter the season.

With summer’s longer days, outdoor recreation is at an all-time high along the byway. However, lower elevations can sometimes experience extreme heat and flash floods during these months. Later in the fall, cooler temperatures return, accompanied by a mosaic of fall foliage along high-elevation stretches. Consequently, the byway can get pretty packed around this time, causing certain attractions to feel more cramped. Winter, on the other hand, is an ideal time to enjoy Scenic Byway 12 without the crowds. However, snow and ice may impact driving conditions, so make sure to take all the necessary precautions.

A Road Trip You Will Never Forget

Since the first days of highways and mass-produced cars, the American road trip has transformed leisurely travel. The act of packing a car with snacks, good company, and road trip jams is a nostalgic tradition many of us treasure, shaping memories of childhood vacations and lifelong friendships.

Even so, Scenic Byway 12 takes things a step further. Setting itself apart from other road trip routes, this epic All-American Road guides travelers back in time, weaving through geological wonders and bygone cultures. Paired with breathtaking vistas and thrilling recreation, Scenic Byway 12 is the ultimate US road trip for making one-of-a-kind memories.