Highway 12 All American Road

Highway 12 Utah’s All American Road

Torrey to Panguitch

Utah’s Scenic Byway 12 is one of only 31 All-American Roads.

To receive a National Scenic Byway designation a road must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation as possessing one or more of the following intrinsic qualities: archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic.

The most-scenic byways are designated All-American Roads, which must meet two out of the six intrinsic qualities of a national scenic byway. The designation means they have features that do not exist elsewhere in the United States and are unique and important enough to be tourist destinations unto themselves. In other words, Highway 12 is one of the best of the best!

I take people from all over the country and other parts of the world on Highway 12, we spend a full day on the road but could easily spend a week visiting the many sights along the route. It’s a highlight of the tour.

Here are a few suggestions for you trip down Highway 12. This is short list of the many things you can do and places to visit and explore on this amazing road.

Capitol Reef NP to Boulder Mountain

Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center – Located in the historic Fruita district on Hwy 24.
Capitol Reef Country Visitor Center – Located at the SR-24 / Highway 12 Junction.
Torrey Utah – Torrey is the Eastern Gateway to Scenic Byway 12 and lies about 9 miles west of Capitol Reef National Park. It was settled in the 1880s and reportedly named after Colonel Jay Torrey, one of Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders. The town’s original log schoolhouse is located along the cottonwood tree-lined Main Street (Highway 24).
Fish Creek Cove Pictographs – A little known pictograph panel located behind Cockscomb Ridge, considered a significant Fremont Indian cultural site.
Larb Hollow Overlook (Boulder Mountain / Hwy 12) – Larb Hollow Overlook is located 15 miles south of the town of Torrey, directly west of Capitol Reef National Park, and 11 miles east of the Homestead Overlook. Larb Hollow Overlook faces the east from a rocky summit offering views that stretch across the Henry Mountains and the colorful Waterpocket Fold. In the far distance to the east you’ll notice the La Sal mountain range beyond the Henry Mountains. This is where Utah meets Colorado.
Homestead Overlook (Boulder Mountain Hwy 12) – From this lookout visitors can see the five peaks of the Henry Mountains to the east, the magenta wedge of the Waterpocket Fold below, and the striated face of the Kaiparowits Plateau to the west. Far off in the distance, the slopes of Navajo Mountain. (restrooms)

Boulder to Escalante

Boulder Utah – Settled in 1894, the town was named for the volcanic boulders scattered across the slopes of nearby Boulder Mountain. Boulder claims to be the last community in the continental U.S. to receive its mail by mule train. Completion of a year-round road in 1939 opened Boulder to car traffic from the south and west. I’ve been told that the first vehicle was delivered in pieces by mule then reassembled. Things to do: Anasazi Museum State Park Where to eat: Hells Backbone Grill located at the Boulder Mountain Lodge, Burr Trail Grill Where to stay: Boulder Mountain Lodge
Anasazi State Park Museum – Tour a life-sized, six-room replica of an ancient dwelling and view a portion of the original site. Inside, view artifacts excavated from this site and learn the lifeways of these people.
Burr Trail – Originally developed as a cattle trail by stockman John Atlantic Burr, the Burr Trail Scenic Backway passes through three iconic parks starting at Boulder Utah to the north located on Highway 12 to Bullfrog Basin and Ticaboo Utah to the south on Highway 276. The road is paved for 30 of the 76 miles from Boulder to Bullfrog Basin. The unpaved section is graded dirt and gravel that you can drive a passenger car on EXCEPT in bad weather. Check weather conditions before taking this road.
Hells Backbone Road – Hell’s Backbone Road is a gravel road that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, and connects the towns of Boulder and Escalante. Halfway along the road is Hell’s Backbone Bridge, a must-stop for taking photographs, allows travelers to pass above Sand Creek with views of the spectacular Box-Death Hollow Wilderness Area.
The Hogback – The Hogback is a portion of Highway 12 that travels over the narrow razorback spine of a slickrock mesa with deep canyons on either sie. There are several good places to pull out to take in the views. This is my favorite stretch of road on Highway 12
Calf Creek Viewpoint – Knock your socks off view of Calf Creek Canyon.
Lower Calf Creek Falls – Lower Calf Creek Falls is a popular 126-foot waterfall that can be reached by an easy hike on a 5½ mile roundtrip trail. Great family hike.
Calf Creek Recreation Area – Calf Creek Campground is located within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The Recreation Area includes a 13-site campground, a day-use picnic area and trailhead to the Lower Calf Creek Falls.
Escalante River Trailhead – The Escalante was the last river of its size to be discovered in the 48 contiguous U.S. The trailhead is located adjacent highway 12 on the upstream side of the Escalante River Bridge. The Escalante Natural Bridge and Escalante Natural Arch are just two of the geologic wonders accessible from this trailhead.
Kiva Koffeehouse – A mandatory stop on my tours for pastries, tea, hot chocolate or coffee, but most of all I stop for the views! Closed in the off-season and at 4:30PM in season.
Boynton Overlook – In 1993 my tourism mentor, John Warner, aka, the wagonmaster, and I parked at this location where he proclaimed that the view we could see from this spot would some day be a national park. In 1996 it became a national monument. The overlook was named for John Boynton, a cattle man caught in a confrontation over a woman that ended with murder in 1878.
Head of the Rocks Overlook – This is a MUST STOP, PARK, & SEE viewpoint that offers expansive panoramic views of the canyons of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and beyond. In the distance many major landmarks come in to view including Boulder Mountain, the Henry Mountains, Navajo Mountain and the eastern edge of the Kaiparowits Plateau. One of the best views in the West, maybe the world
Hole in the Rock Road – (graded gravel & dirt road) This 57-mile-long Hole-in-the-Rock Road closely follows the route taken by Mormon pioneers in 1879–80 trek to Bluff UT. The road gives access to a number of recreational destinations including Devils Garden, Zebra & Tunnel Slot Canyon, Little Egypt, Peek-a-boo & Spooky Gulch Slot Canyon, and Hole in the Rock. (Visit the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center for details)

Escalante to Bryce Canyon

Escalante Heritage Center – Displays and information about the historic Hole-in-the-Rock Expedition to Bluff UT.
Escalante Utah – Settled in 1876 by Mormon pioneers. The town was named after the river running through the valley that was originally named for Spanish explorer, Father Silvestre Velez de Escalante. Nestled between the Aquarius and Kaiparowits Plateaus, Escalante is considered the “Heart of Scenic Byway 12.” Places to eat: Nemos Cafe for great fast food, one of the best burgers in Utah. Escalante Outfitters – Definitely the pizza! Things to do: For off-road adventure check out High Adventure Rentals.
Escalante Interagency Visitor Center – The center provides information for enjoying and exploring the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Dixie National Forest, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. (public restrooms)
Escalante Petrified Forest State Park – Camp along the shores of Wide Hollow Reservoir, or rent a canoe, kayak or paddle board on its clear waters. Hike along park nature trails through a petrified forest. Some say the petrified wood is haunted and removing a piece brings the taker nothing but bad luck.
Upper Valley Graineries (ruin) – Tucked into the cliff face above this wayside is a small stone-and-mud-daubed structure constructed by Ancient Puebloans. The pull-out is on the south side of the highway with spotting scopes that point to this ruin. The structure is thought to be a storage place for corn, grain, and other foods grown and harvested nearby.
Powell Point Vista (viewpoint) – This is a good place to stretch your legs and take in the view of Powell Point. Named after John Wesley Powell, this is one of the last uncharted regions of the continental U.S.
Kodachrome Basin State Park – One of Utah’s 44 state parks and recreation areas. Located 8 miles from Cannonville.
Henrieville – Settled in the 1870s. Historic homes and barns. The old town school, constructed in 1881 of rough-cut timber harvested on a nearby mountain, functions today as a senior citizen center and town hall.
Cannonville Visitors Center – The Cannonville Visitor Center interprets the human geography of the Grand Staircase-Escalante region through displays and oral histories of early settlers and Native Americans. (public restrooms)
Cannonville – Gateway to Kodachrome Basin State Park. Settled in 1876 and named after Mormon pioneer leader George Q. Cannon. (public restrooms)
Tropic Utah – Located at the foot of Bryce Canyon. (You can see the town from the viewpoints above) Tropic’s name originated with the claim made by the town’s first settlers that the climate here was much more temperate than that in nearby settlements. You decide! (public restrooms)
Mossy Cave – Originally known as Water Canyon, Mossy Cave trail is a short easy hike. From 1890-1892 Mormon pioneers carve an irrigation ditch from the East Fork of the Sevier River, through the Paunsaugunt Plateau, into this canyon.

Bryce Canyon NP

Bryce Canyon City – Ruby’s Inn, Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel, Bryce View Lodge, Ebenezer’s Barn & Grill, RV Park & campground, Summer rodeo. Great family buffet at Ruby’s Inn. If visiting Bryce Canyon on an extended stay, I recommend staying here.
Bryce Canyon National Park Visitor Center – Restrooms, auditorium with park orientation film (recommended), gift shop and museum. This is a good first stop to make when visiting the park.
Fairyland Point – Located in the northern portion of the park outside the gates. This is the trailhead of the Fairyland Loop Trail.
Sunrise Point – The Queen’s Garden Trail begins, or ends at this point. This trail connects to the Navajo Loop and Peek-A-Boo Trails. See if you can find the “Tippy-Toe” Bristlecone Pine at the viewpoint. (restrooms)
Sunset Point – This may be the most popular viewpoint at Bryce. It’s the connecting point between Sunrise and Inspiration Points. The 1.3 mile long Navajo Loop begins and ends here. (restrooms)
Inspiration Point – This point offers one of the most classic views of Bryce Canyon. There are 3 viewpoints; lower, middle, upper. (restrooms)
Bryce Point – Bryce Point is the point I recommend for sunrise viewing. It can get quite cold in the morning even during the summer months. This is where the Peek-A-Boo trail begins or ends. I recommend starting here, not as much climbing if you start here. You can also hike the rim trail to access all viewpoints in this section of the park.
Natural Bridge – The name is misleading. Natural Bridge is actually an arch, and worth seeing. The road is about 11 miles from the visitors center. The road past the turn-off to Bryce Point is closed during the winter months.
Rainbow & Yovimpa Points – The farthest and highest points at Bryce Canyon. Road is closed during the winter months. (restrooms)

Bryce Canyon to Panguitch

John’s Valley Road – If you have the time, this is scenic side-trip to Antimony on a paved road that passes through the ghost town of Widtsoe that was abandoned in 1936. Also on this route is the popular the popular Rockin’ R Guest Ranch.
Bryce Canyon Pines Restaurant – A favorite stop for lunch. I highly recommend the homemade pies!
Red Canyon Visitors Center – Operated by the Dixie National Forest Service. Stop here for trail maps, restrooms, and other general information about the canyon and region. The canyon offers a number of well-marked hiking and mountain bike trails. The center is closed in the off-season.
Thunder Mountain Trailhead – Located at the west entrance of Red Canyon. This is the starting point for the Thunder Mountain Trail and the paved Canyon Bike trail that parallels Highway 12 to the Bryce Canyon exit and continues to Inspiration Point.
Panguitch – Settled in 1882, located on Utah Heritage Highway 89, 7 miles north of the junction with Scenic Byway 12 and is the eastern gateway to Highway 143 Patchwork Parkway National Scenic Byway. Check out Gem Theatre Reel Bites Cafe for a great meal and movie in an historic movie theater.