Utah Scenic Byway 12

Route description

Start at Bryce Canyon National Park, where the Navajo Loop takes you from the rim down among the orange hoodoos. Scenic Byway 12 then heads east through Tropic and across open, eroded country to the town of Escalante.

Between Escalante and Boulder, Lower Calf Creek Falls is a 126-foot waterfall at the end of a sandy six-mile round trip through a red canyon; carry plenty of water. Beyond it, the byway runs along the Hogback, a narrow ridge with steep drops on both sides and little room for error.

From Boulder, a small ranching town, the byway climbs over Boulder Mountain through aspen and pine forest, with views across to Capitol Reef and the Henry Mountains, before descending to Torrey. This high section can see snow in spring and fall.

Capitol Reef National Park is a 100-mile wrinkle in the earth with pioneer orchards in its middle, where you can pick fruit in season and buy pie at the Gifford House. Torrey, just outside the park, is the place to stay. Fuel and services are sparse along the whole byway, so fill up when you can.