Highway 12 in Utah

Highway 12 in Utah – A Top US Scenic Drive

I’ve done my fair share of road trips in the USA. And in my humble opinion the mind-blowing section of scenic Highway 12 in Utah between Panguitch and Torrey is one of the prettiest drives you’ll ever do.

It was America’s first All-American road in 2002. What that means is the road has significant natural, historic, recreational, archaeological and cultural qualities.

Highway 12 in Utah, runs for 122 miles between the two towns, passing through some of America’s most colourful and gorgeous landscapes. It was built as a forest road in 1914 and it wasn’t until 1985 that it got an upgrade to paved road through Boulder Mountain.

Highway 12 crosses part of Dixie National Forest and Bryce Canyon National Park as well as sections of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The section from Boulder to Torrey – on the outskirts of Capitol Reef National Park traverses glorious country with gorgeous, big views. This is one of the most famous drives in the US.

The landscape is highly variable over the 100 plus miles. You’ll see everything from ponderosa pine and aspen forests to slickrock canyons and mountain meadows.

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Even the road sign is attention getting
Even the road sign is attention getting

The following are the must-do stops on Highway 12 in Utah

1. Cedar Breaks National Monument

Though not technically part of Highway 12, it is worth starting the drive if at all possible in Cedar City (or Las Vegas if you’ve flown in). That way you can visit Cedar Breaks National Monument on route to Panguitch.

Drive to the rim of the amphitheater at an elevation over 10,000 feet. From there Cedar Breaks, a natural amphitheater, stretches across before you for three miles. It plunges down over 2,000 feet too so watch the drop-offs. There are hiking trails so you can more intimately explore the national monument.

It is open year round, but it can and does snow here so it’s late fall or winter plan accordingly. You can camp at Point Supreme Campground but reserve ahead. 

Section of highway near Cedar Breaks National Monument
Section of Highway 12 near Cedar Breaks National Monument
The higher you go the more dramatic the scenery
The higher you go the more dramatic the scenery
The beauty of Cedar Breaks National Monument
The beauty of Cedar Breaks National Monument

2. Red Canyon on Highway 12

Red Canyon is an especially scenic area on Highway 12 in Utah. It starts just a few miles east of the junction with Highway 89.

Admire vermilion-coloured rock formations and stately ponderosa pines. There is an information kiosk at the entrance to the Red Canyon. And the Visitor Centre is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. 

If you want to do more than drive the Red Canyon, stop at the Red Canyon Trailhead Kiosk, a short drive east of the visitor center.

It provides access to five different trails with are open year round to hiking, biking and horses. When the snow arrives trade your bike and hiking shoes for snowshoes and cross-country skis.

The entrance to Red Canyon
The entrance to Red Canyon
Glorious Red Canyon country
Glorious Red Canyon country
Drive through this arch on Highway 12
Drive through this arch on Highway 12

3. Bryce Canyon National Park off Utah’s Highway 12

The turnoff to Bryce Canyon National Park – Highway 65 – is approximately 11 miles past the entrance to Red Canyon. The park is definitely worth a minimum of 24 hours – more if you’re into hiking and photography.

Recommended reading: The Fairyland Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon

However, if you stay on Highway 12 you’ll reach the entrance to the Mossy Cave where you can do a short but gorgeous hike up to see the hoodoos.

The Mossy Cave area in Bryce Canyon National Park
The Mossy Cave area in Bryce Canyon National Park
Spectacular scenery in Bryce Canyon National Park
Spectacular scenery in Bryce Canyon National Park

4. Tropic and Cannonville

It’s just 8.5 miles from the Mossy Cave Trailhead to Cannonville via the small town of Tropic. The driving on Highway 12 in Utah continues to delight especially with the crazy stomach-losing hills on the highway.

You can leave your stomach behind on some of these roads
You can leave your stomach behind on some of these roads
Driving into Cannonville near Kodachrome Basin State Park
Driving into Cannonville heading WEST near Kodachrome Basin State Park 
Fall is a tremendous time to drive the highway
Fall is a tremendous time to drive Highway 12 in Utah because of the colours

5. Kodachrome Basin State Park off Highway 12 in Utah

From Cannonville, it’s a 7 mile detour off the highway to visit Kodachrome Basin State Park. It’s especially worthwhile if you’re into hiking, photography, or camping.

In theory you could knock off all five hiking trails in a day as their combined total is just 12 miles. Enjoy great red rock country and cool looking rock formations.

Red rock scenery in every direction in Kodachrome Basin State Park
Red rock scenery in every direction in Kodachrome Basin State Park

6. West to Escalante and Boulder

The drive between Escalante and Boulder is the very best I think along Highway 12 in Utah – and that’s saying something. The photos below will give you an inkling of how marvelous it is.

This part of Utah shouldn’t be rushed as there really is so much to do. We spent three nights in Boulder and a couple in Bryce Canyon National Park. You could easily spend another week in the area.

Some of the not to be missed activities include an exceptionally scenic drive on the Burr Trail (a dirt road), canyoneering in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument (one of the top experiences in my life!) and then of course hiking.

Some of the hikes I’d recommend – that are short and easy include Lower Calf Creek Falls, Upper Calf Creek Falls and the Deer Creek Trail in the Escalante Wilderness.

Gorgeous rugged scenery
Gorgeous rugged scenery along Highway 12 in Utah
View from one of the road pull-outs
View from one of the road pull-outs along Highway 12 in Utah
Continuing north along Highway 12 towards Boulder
Continuing north along Highway 12 towards Boulder
Looking out from one of the pull-offs
Looking out from one of the pull-offs along Highway 12 in Utah
Heading north on Highway 12 out of Escalante
Heading north out of Escalante
This is what a hogback looks like - the road drops off on either side of the highway
This is what a hogback looks like – the road drops off on either side of the highway
Heading south from Boulder
Heading south from Boulder
Grand vistas on the way south towards Escalante
Grand vistas on the way south towards Escalante
Part of Highway 12 in Utah goes through small ranch country
Part of the highway goes through small ranch country
Glorious red rock country
Glorious red rock country seen driving Highway 12 in Utah
Looking down into Calf Creek Canyon from a roadside pullover on Highway 12 in Utah
Looking down into Calf Creek Canyon from a roadside pullover on Highway 12 in Utah

7. Boulder to Torrey on Highway 12 in Utah

It’s just 36 miles between Boulder and Torrey but there’s a dramatic change in the landscape. Much of it is in ponderosa pine country with grand views off to the east.

Torrey is the western gateway town to Capitol Reef National Park. There’s plenty to keep you busy here – between camping and hiking. A couple of the must do hikes include the Capitol Gorge hike and the Chimney Rock Trail.

Ponderosa pine and even snow-capped mountain vistas
Ponderosa pine and even snow-capped mountain vistas on Highway 12 between Boulder and Torrey
The Capitol Gorge hike
The Capitol Gorge hike in Capitol Reef National Park

Where to stay along Highway 12 in Utah

There are lots of great places to stay along Highway 12 in Utah – and many that are worth staying at for several nights.

Boulder, Utah

In Boulder check out Boulder Mountain Lodge or Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch.

Escalante, Utah

In Escalante, The Loubird Inn, the Cowboy Country Inn and Escalante Outfitters and Bunkhouse would all be solid choices.

Bryce Canon area

The Bryce Canyon Area offers traditional style lodging in the Bryce Canyon Pines Motel and the Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel.

Beautiful Boulder Mountain Lodge and Hell's Backbone Grill in Boulder
Beautiful Boulder Mountain Lodge and Hell’s Backbone Grill in Boulder

Where to eat along Highway 12 in Utah

The one not to be missed restaurant along Highway 12 in Utah is Hell’s Backbone Grill and Farm in Boulder. I’ve eaten here on many occasions and positively love their food – and the setting.

In Hatch check out the Galaxy of Hatch Diner and Motel.

In Tropic, beside Bryce Canyon, try the Stone Hearth Grill.

The interior of Hell's Backbone Grill in Boulder
The interior of Hell’s Backbone Grill in Boulder

More great things to do in Utah

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Highway 12 in Utah - one of the most scenic drives in the US

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30 Comments

  1. Very pretty indeed!! The scenes and landscapes are beautiful. I think my favorite roads are in the Himalayas (both stunning landscapes and dangerous roads!).

  2. @Michele I like the sound of the Hana Highway drive and I agree that there is something very special about the Pacific Coast Highway. I’ve driven the length of it once and sections of it over the years and never get tired of those vistas.

  3. That shot of the Great Vistas is beautiful, although I think the first photo is my favorite. Now you have me thinking what’s the most scenic drive I’ve done. I like the Hana Highway in Maui, especially if you take time to stop and explore along the way, spending the night in Hana. For some reason, I have an emotional response to the Pacific Coast Highway. It just makes me feel so free when I drive it.(Well, actually if someone else drives it so I can just gaze out the window without paying attention to the road.)

  4. Great post, great photos, and it opens up a great discussion. I think my favorite drive is along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.

  5. Very scenic. For me, that particular stretch of highway in Utah is like the hole in a doughnut. I’ve driven Zion-Bryce-North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and from Grand Junction, Colorado, to Goblin Valley, on to Capitol Reef, down a dirt road from there to Lake Powell, north to Natural Bridges National Monument, Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.

  6. What an amazing drive. There are certainly some stunning views to be had. Utah seems to be the place to go for incredible scenery. In the south west corner of Western Australia there are some beautiful drives through the forests and along the coastal roads but for scenes similar to Utah, you have to go north where the drives will take days!

  7. With a spectacular drive like this, I wouldn’t mind the distances between towns in Utah. I’d probably stop at every pullout. I am adding this to a drive I need to do one of these days. Love all the colors you were able to capture. My favorite scenic road to drive would have to be Central California’s coastline along Pacific Coast Highway with Monterey’s 17 mile drive a close second.

  8. In my own country Australia, it would be the drive between Cairns and Port Douglas in Queensland. In the world (So Far), it would be the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies in Spring.
    The views in your photos are so big and I find the change in colour of the soil in the second photo amazing – like layers in a cake.

  9. Beautiful photos! This looks like a relaxing and lovely drive. Utah is amazing – I must try to make this drive soon since I’m not that far away in Arizona.

  10. Beautiful photos! This looks like a relaxing and lovely drive. Utah is amazing – I must try to make this drive soon since I’m not that far away in Arizona.

  11. AND you need to know that driving this road is WAY too much fun! Although in an January snowstorm that hogback ridge section might be slightly less fun. We had a great time in this glorious underappreciated part of Utah.
    Just go do it!

    John aka hubby

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