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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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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.



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.



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.


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.



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.

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.











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.


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.

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.

More great things to do in Utah
- Utah Road Trip: Sights Between Moab & Capitol Reef
- A Sunrise Visit to Dead Horse State Park in Utah
- Best Hikes in Snow Canyon State Park
- Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch Hike
- Day Trip to Needles District, Canyonlands National Park
Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.

Very pretty indeed!! The scenes and landscapes are beautiful. I think my favorite roads are in the Himalayas (both stunning landscapes and dangerous roads!).
@Sophie That rollercoaster section of road was a hoot to drive. Lots of fun coupled with amazing scenery.
@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.
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.)
I’ve done all the ones you mention Dick except for the Natural Bridges Monument. Will have to check that out too.
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.
@Evan Someone else mentioned that drive on my Facebook page.
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.
@Marcia We were very surprised ourselves at just how great it was. So the Costa Brava is pretty darned pretty too is it? That’s good to know.
Woooaaaaooow, it is definitely pretty!
Several years ago, I did the Costa Brava and thought it was the prettiest, then I traveled the Pacific Coast Hwy. It’s a toss up.
Beautiful photos, Leigh – the blue of the sky is unreal!
@Lisa No pollution in that part of the world.
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!
@Jenny I’m thinking that one day my husband and I should spend a month exploring western Australia. I love drives along the coast.
@Jackie You need several days to visit that part of Utah properly.
We head home tomorrow – wish we could veer over to Utah and do this section of Highway . . .it will definitely go on our future’s list.
Absolutely beautiful views Leigh! Love the scenery and your photographs.
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.
@Mary I do think you need to allow enough time to soak in the scenery of SW Utah. I agree that the 17 mile drive in Monterey is an outstanding one.
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.
@Jan I haven’t done the Icefields Parkway here in the spring – maybe this year. Good to know about the drive in Queensland though.
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.
@Roberta This part of the country would be a lovely get away for you. Although where you live is beautiful this is different enough again.
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.
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
@John Listening to the waitress in the Boulder restaurant talk of being bused to Escalante everyday would certainly be a concern if I was a parent in the area.