This Utah Scenic Byway Is The Road Trip Of A Lifetime

At just over 122 miles long, you could drive Utah’s Scenic Byway 12 in one day, but this trip deserves to be savoured. Within minutes of hitting the highway, you’ll quickly discover how the route earned its nickname, ‘A Journey Through Time Scenic Byway’. Shimmering red rock deserts, twisting canyons, towering arches, dense aspen and pine groves reaching into the turquoise sky. This isn’t just a road trip, it’s an unforgettable experience.

Officially designated as an All-American Road, a title given to a third of the country’s scenic byways, Scenic Byway 12 is one of the best in Utah and includes state and national parks, historic small towns, stunning natural landmarks, and miles of jaw-dropping scenery. Below, we help you plan a 3-day itinerary so you can make the most of your Utah road trip.

The route starts in Panguitch in southern Utah and runs northeast, ending in the town of Torrey. The road is open year-round, although it climbs through the Boulder Mountains, where some parts of the road could be closed in the winter due to winter storms or ice. If you plan on visiting the state or national parks along the way, be sure to check entrance requirements and fees. Be aware that the parks are busy during the peak summer season, and heavy traffic may occur.

Road Trip Itinerary: Day 1

Picking up the byway in Panguitch, don’t be in too much of a hurry to leave this historic town, founded by pioneers in 1864. Fuel up for the drive ahead at Wanderlust Cowgirl Coffee or enjoy some heartier fare at the Cowboy Smokehouse. Once you’ve satisfied your hunger, it’s time to head out. Take Highway 89 south out of town to where it joins Byway 12.

The road snakes through the dusty desert to the Red Canyon, known for its distinctive red arches that overhang the road. Further along, you’ll come to Bryce Canyon National Park. The park is known for its iconic “hoodoos”, rocky spires that jut up from the ground, and natural amphitheatres. Summer park activities include hiking, horseback riding, and biking. You can ski or snowshoe the trails in winter along the snowy plateau.

Bryce Canyon National Park has two campgrounds; however, the Sunset Campground is closed in winter. If you've reserved a spot, you can stay the night in the park or continue onto Tropic, where you’ll find the Bryce Canyon Log Cabins, which offer rustic boutique accommodations just seven miles from the park.

Road Trip Itinerary: Day 2

If you need to pick up supplies for day two, stop in the small ranching town of Henrieville, home to cafes, restaurants, and shops where you can get everything you need for an extended road trip.

From Henrieville, it’s a short distance to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, a vast wilderness area with intricate rock formations and fossils that are millions of years old. You’ll find a Visitor’s Centre in Escalante, where you can learn about the area’s fascinating history, pick up trail maps, and get current information on road conditions. The Monument covers 1.87 million acres, but you can still see much of the area from Byway 12. Heading east from Escalante, you’ll come to Calf Creek Recreation Area, where you can enjoy a scenic picnic or stretch your legs on the 6-mile round-trip to Lower Calf Creek Falls, a cascading 126-foot waterfall.

This next stretch of the Byway, from Escalante to Boulder, is known as ‘the Hogsback’ and is a well-known highlight of the entire route. A narrow and twisty four-mile stretch along a cliff with sheer drops on either side, this route is not for the fainthearted, but adventurers are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views.

Travelling through the beautiful Boulder Mountains, you’ll notice the landscape change to aspen, pine, and alpine meadows as you travel towards Boulder. Stopping in town for the night, there are plenty of accommodation options, including the Boulder Mountain Ranch, which also has an onsite restaurant, the Sweetwater Kitchen, serving up farm-to-table organic fare.

Road Trip Itinerary: Day 3

Before you leave Boulder, be sure to check out the Anasazi State Park Museum, a six-acre Ancestral Puebloan village at the base of Boulder Mountain. Occupied between 1050 and 1175 AD, the site was excavated in the 1950s to reveal the remnants of nearly 100 structures and rooms.

Back on the road, get your camera ready for two iconic overlooks north of Boulder. At an elevation of over 9,000 ft, Homestead Overlook and Steep Creek Overlook offer incredible 360-degree views over canyons, mesas, and forest groves that stretch to the far horizon.

Scenic Byway 12 ends at Torrey, a quaint pioneer town also known as the gateway to Capitol Reef National Park. The park is known for its narrow slot canyons and the 100-mile Waterpocket Fold, where the earth buckled and bent 65 million years ago, leaving behind unique sandstone landforms. It’s also an International Dark Sky Park, making it the perfect place to visit when the sun goes down and the desert sky lights up with a dazzling canopy of stars. Camping, hiking, and canyoneering are all available at the park, and there is also a museum at the historic Gifford Homestead, first settled by Mormon pioneers around 1880.

On Scenic Byway 12, classic Utah scenery unravels as you pass through a landscape untouched by time. This is the heart of the American West, showcasing its scenery, history, and geological wonders. Discover prehistoric canyons, frontier towns, and alpine overlooks. There’s a little something for everyone here, from outdoorsy adventurers to history-loving hikers. Follow in the footsteps of ancient tribes, intrepid pioneers, and industrious homesteaders as you travel along this one-of-a-kind route.