Famous route

Utah Scenic Byway 12

Scenic Byway 12 runs about 123 miles from Panguitch to Torrey past Bryce Canyon, Escalante and Capitol Reef. Allow time for the Hogsback, a narrow ridge with steep drops.

State: Utah
Length: About 123 miles
Start / end: Panguitch – Torrey
Top elevation: About 9,000 ft (summit overlook)
Best season: Spring and autumn

What should you know before visiting Utah Scenic Byway 12?

No toll roads expected for a car. Size limits for motorhomes: Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel, Zion NP (UT) (height 11 ft 4 in (3.5 m)).

The road is open year-round, but winter storms can make sections impassable until plowed, and ice is a hazard on the Boulder Mountain stretch.
Between Escalante and Boulder the Hogsback has hairpin turns and steep drop-offs into deep canyons. Take it slowly in a large motorhome.
Fuel, food and lodging are available in Escalante and Boulder. Plan fuel stops yourself and refuel when you can.

The drive

The byway starts at US 89 near Panguitch and ends at SR 24 near Torrey. Going west to east, stops include the arches of Red Canyon, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Powell Point Vista, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park and the village of Escalante. Between Escalante and Boulder lie the trailhead for Lower Calf Creek Falls and the Hogsback. Boulder has the Anasazi State Park Museum, and a high overlook near the summit stands at about 9,000 ft. Without stops the drive takes under three hours.

Camping

Calf Creek Campground lies about 15 miles east of Escalante and takes reservations on Recreation.gov. Renovation closures were announced from July 2024, so check the BLM page. Dispersed camping is allowed in the area, often off Hole-in-the-Rock Road or Burr Trail. Pack out trash and dispose of waste properly. Hole-in-the-Rock Road is described as bumpy, and a stretch of the Burr Trail inside Capitol Reef is graded dirt that needs a 4WD vehicle. Flash floods are possible after storms.

FAQs

When is the best time to drive Scenic Byway 12?

In the Escalante area, spring is described as pleasant, with highs of about 65 to 75 degrees F. Summer brings sudden thunderstorms, and winter averages about 28 inches of snow. Autumn is cooler, with highs around 61 degrees F.

Does the byway cost anything to drive?

Driving the byway itself is free. Some attractions off the road, such as parks and state park sites, charge entry, so check each operator's page.

Which parks lie along the route?

The byway links Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks, passes through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Dixie National Forest, and is near Kodachrome Basin and Escalante Petrified Forest State Parks.