Highway 12 Scenic Byway
Highway 12 Scenic Byway
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This 122-mile route, located in the southwestern region of the state, passes Bryce Canyon and the Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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5.0
778 reviews
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mountiamsandcanyons
Elgin Illinois865 contributions
Sep 2022
this is a nice scenic drive but a long one if you do the whole thing. we were staying in torrey ut. and drove this to bryce canyon on one of the days we were here in september. Just a quick note... the rock tunnel you see in the photographs here , is past bryce canyon over 2 and half hours away.
from torrey , you will first enter the forest area that is very different from the red rocks of capital reef. I would be careful here and watch your speed as this is a free grazing area for cattle, and at dawn and dusk deer are everywhere including in the middle of the road!! the mid section between Escalante and boulder is the most scenic IMO. colorful rocks and vast viewpoints.
the speed limits here change quite often from 65 mpr to 40 to 30 to 25. so watch your speed. the day we did this drive we went from torrey to bryce canyon. it took a good solid 3 hours but that did include pulling over at view points and doing some sight seeing.
A notable mention here i should point out is there are frequent gas stations to full up at but few places to eat and no place for shopping. bringing a cooler with snacks and drinks is highly recommended.
from torrey , you will first enter the forest area that is very different from the red rocks of capital reef. I would be careful here and watch your speed as this is a free grazing area for cattle, and at dawn and dusk deer are everywhere including in the middle of the road!! the mid section between Escalante and boulder is the most scenic IMO. colorful rocks and vast viewpoints.
the speed limits here change quite often from 65 mpr to 40 to 30 to 25. so watch your speed. the day we did this drive we went from torrey to bryce canyon. it took a good solid 3 hours but that did include pulling over at view points and doing some sight seeing.
A notable mention here i should point out is there are frequent gas stations to full up at but few places to eat and no place for shopping. bringing a cooler with snacks and drinks is highly recommended.
Written September 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mason M
Torrey, UT12 contributions
Mar 2020
Don't take the interstates in Utah. Take this road. It's like something out of a movie. You also have access to world class outdoor activities, national parks, and the best restaurant in Utah on this road.
If you are terrified of heights, it may not be the drive for you, but there's nothing like driving on a thin ribbon of road at the top of a cliff with thousand foot drops on either side of you.
If you are terrified of heights, it may not be the drive for you, but there's nothing like driving on a thin ribbon of road at the top of a cliff with thousand foot drops on either side of you.
Written March 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lee J
Portland, United States9 contributions
Oct 2020
Highway 12 is rightly famous for its beauty. There are several places that may be difficult for drop off sensitive people. Hell's Backbone was not too bad, however, with nice, wide shoulders and signs to encourage a reasonable speed.
Written October 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin K
Oracle, AZ129 contributions
Sep 2020
One of the most beautiful, varied and enjoyable drives from a recent trip full of eye candy. Saying this is one of the best in a state like Utah is really high praise. This is a top 10 drive in the US! Some of the pull-offs were breath-taking.
Written October 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
the8js
Salt Lake City, UT58 contributions
Jun 2020
This was our first time driving along this scenic road. The scenery and landscape was breathtaking! We enjoyed this little road trip very much. We only stopped at a couple of places because we're not hikers, but there's so much you can see from your car. There's a Singing Slot Canyon that's a must stop! Amazing little slot canyon right off the road, it was refreshing in the shade.
Written July 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PamDoug
Hudsonville, MI182 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Having heard this route was beautiful our surpassed expectations. The yellow birch leaves contrasted with mountain scenes were beautiful this time of year. Expansive views! Rugged valleys! Driving along a spine of some incredible views!
Written October 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dana B
20 contributions
Aug 2020
We were on a National Park tour of Utah. We homemade pie at Gibbon House in Capital Reef and drove the 12 Byway to Bryce and eventually Zion National Park. Along the way we hiked to waterfall in Escalante, saw the backbone, watched the HooDoo 500 bike race, and hiked into an easy level slot canyon in Orderville.
Written September 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joni3737
Saint Cloud, MN6 contributions
Mar 2021
We drove from Glenwood all the way till it ended at Hwy 89. If we did it again, we would only drive the part from Boulder south to Hwy 89 which to us was just gorgeous and the most scenic. The rest was ok. It might have been more scenic if it weren't early March. We did appreciate how low the traffic was this time of year and especially LOVED the "hogback" section. Woo hoo!! To me it would be worth driving in from Bryce to Boulder and then turning around and driving back the way you came as there isn't an easy way to get to Boulder via another paved road -- which I'm sure is one reason this section of the world is to wonderful.
Written March 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jetsly
Minneapolis, MN1,554 contributions
Sep 2021
Leaving Panguitch at 08:33, we arrived in Hanksville at 14:38. Yes, it took over 6 hours to drive 176 miles on UT 12 to Torrey, and then continuing on through the north tip of Capitol Reef national park to Hanksville. There are stretches where the road twists and turns, and you will drive 30 MPH. There is a mesa top so narrow that you will be able to look down into the depths on both sides of the road as you pass! You will drive through the eastern edge of Bryce, through desert, forested mountains, and a canyon so strikingly beautiful that you will wonder how you could possibly have it all to yourself. And you will, because one of America's greatest scenic byways is virtually unknown. We seemed to be stopping around every curve on the stretch between Henrieville and Grover ... and to judge from the scores of photographs housed in our phones, we may well have done so. If you have limited time, spend it here rather than at Canyonlands, and if necessary, expedite your visit to Bryce to buy more time. If push comes to shove, you can stay the night in Escalante; Panguitch to Moab was a 9 hour day, including a lunch stop at Outlaw's Roost in Hanksville.
One final note:: make every effort to locate a copy of "Utah Scenic Byways." It is a treasure trove of useful information.
One final note:: make every effort to locate a copy of "Utah Scenic Byways." It is a treasure trove of useful information.
Written September 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kardwr
Jefferson, GA134 contributions
Apr 2021
I read that if travelling from Capitol Reef to Bryce you must take Scenic Highway 12 even though it is longer. I am so glad we did. It was an absolutely beautiful drive. We saw deer and elf too. But, make sure you allow enough time to finish the drive while it is daylight. Our last 40 minutes were in the dark.
Written May 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CReinauer
Manual Antonio, Costa Rica13 contributions
Can we travel Rt 12 in a 21 ft. Van? Going that way this fall? Charlene
Sarah T
Boise, ID7 contributions
Hello, we are planning on drive by through Utah June of 2022 and I am trying to plan our route. Route 12 popped up as an idea and I wondered how the roads are for a 30’ motorhome. One of our guests on the drive is not a fan of heights; is this road on steep terrain?
Thanks for the info! Sarah
Indyblonde
US173 contributions
Hmm. I remember it as being pretty steep with lots of huge views, and drop offs, windy roads that are kind of steep. I'm thinking it might be difficult in a motorhome, although 30 feet isn't terribly huge. Maybe your friend could take a nap - and don't drive in the rain, or at night on this road.
When is the best time to go through byway 12
Frankee11
San Rafael, CA323 contributions
Sorry to take so long getting back to you. I don't know if there is a time when it's NOT great, it's beautiful I think at any time. We were there in Sept and it was a great drive.
knittytraveler
LA54 contributions
My 17 YO daughter and I want to drive Highway 12 from Kanab on our way north to Park City. Can we do this drive and also get to Park City in one day? We would be going around December 4th. Of course we would have to check weather/road conditions. We would be driving a 4 wheel drive SUV. Thoughts?
AZTraveler
Sun Lakes, AZ474 contributions
Yes you can. However, the trip will be about an 8 hour experience.
Can Byway 12 be completed in 25' RV? We're thinking of starting at Kanab up the 89 to the 12.
Is this possible or completely nuts?
Paul S
Marion1,565 contributions
Yes, it is very doable. Road is two lane but standard width and paved the entire length. There is no stretch- even the infamous hogback- that is worse than the Zion- Mt Carmel highway through the tunnel in Zion National Park if you have been or plan to go there. Just be sure to observe the posted speed limits and that whoever is driving watches the road and not the scenery. Read through the other questions and reviews for additional help and be sure to request ahead or pick up on arrival the mile by mile guide to the scenic byway published by the state of Utah. Allow time to explore Capitol Reef National Park at the Torrey end of the route.
vehamayvin yavin
United States24 contributions
which way is better east to west or west to east?
flzdmpm03
Fort Myers, FL420 contributions
Either way is an amazing drive! Each turns brings something more spectular that the last! Take you time...stop often to take in the scenery and do some photography. Enjoy!
Louise C
Notre-Dame-de-l'Ile-Perrot, Canada
Bonjour, Je ferai la route panoramique 12 en Utah vers la mi-octobre. Est-ce vrai que l'on doit mettre des chaines aux roues du véhicule ???
Combien de temps pour faire cette route. Merci Bruno
ppeyrard
Lyon, France3,176 contributions
Bonjour Bruno. Pour les chaines de voitures, je suis bien incapable de répondre à cette question. Mais cela ne serait pas surprenant, tant on monte en altitude! je crois qu'il y a des passages à 9000 pieds... je l'ai faite en aout, et parfois il ne faisait pas très chaud... Donc voir la météo et prévoir effectivement des équipements. Cette route est extraordinaire et avec la neige, ce doit être assez incroyable!
Shreyas S
San Mateo, CA
Which is the nearest airport I can fly to from Dallas to start the scenic byway 12?
AlaskanArctic
Fairbanks, AK129 contributions
Salt lake, Vegas, Phoenix. We choice Phoenix because the car rates were much cheaper than Vegas. Airfares into St George would be higher as not s major airport. 2 hours from Vegas to St George
sedes21
Saint Jerome, Canada2 contributions
Selon vous, est-ce praticable pour un motorisé de 27 pieds ? Nous avons 11’5 de clearance. Merci de votre aide !!!
LaDonna S
Nashville, TN320 contributions
It would be ok if you take your time. It is a curvy and narrow road in places, beautiful drive. We were in a Toyota 4 Runner. There are places with very little road shoulders, pretty interesting drop offs.
sedes21
Saint Jerome, Canada2 contributions
Can anyone tell me if there’s tunnels of less than 12 feet on this byway ? We have 11´6 inches clearance. Thanks for your help. Safe travels !!!
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Claim your listingHighway 12 Scenic Byway - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Highway 12 Scenic Byway
- Hotels near Highway 12 Scenic Byway:
- (8.05 mi) Escalante Yurts
- (8.69 mi) Entrada Escalante Lodge
- (8.06 mi) The Loubird Inn
- (8.93 mi) Escalante Cabins & RV Park
- (8.67 mi) Canyons of Escalante RV Park
- Restaurants near Highway 12 Scenic Byway:
- (2.69 mi) Kiva Koffeehouse
- (8.51 mi) Escalante Outfitters Cafe
- (7.88 mi) Magnolias Kitchen
- (8.40 mi) Escalante mercantile
- (8.37 mi) Mimi's Bakery & Deli
- Attractions near Highway 12 Scenic Byway:
- (8.06 mi) Excursions of Escalante
- (8.52 mi) Utah Canyon Outdoors
- (7.91 mi) Utah Slickrock Guides
- (7.72 mi) Devil's Garden
- (9.00 mi) Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument