Top 10 Scenic Roads in Utah
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Utah is home to some incredibly scenic roads, offering breathtaking views of mountains, deserts, canyons, and unique rock formations. Here’s a list of the top 10 most scenic roads in the state:
1. Scenic Byway 12 (Highway 12)
- Length: 124 miles
- Route: Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef National Park
- Highlights: This is one of the most famous scenic routes in Utah, winding through red rock landscapes, forests, canyons, and mountain ridges. The byway passes through Escalante and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, offering stunning views of Bryce Canyon.
2. Highway 95 (The Bicentennial Highway)
- Length: 122 miles
- Route: Hanksville to Blanding
- Highlights: Known for passing through Glen Canyon, the Colorado River, and the dramatic landscape of Cedar Mesa, Highway 95 offers views of red rock cliffs and desert expanses.
3. Highway 128 (The River Road)
- Length: 44 miles
- Route: Moab to Interstate 70
- Highlights: This highway follows the Colorado River and provides close-up views of towering red sandstone cliffs. The road is a gateway to Castle Valley and Fisher Towers.
4. Highway 9 (Zion-Mount Carmel Highway)
- Length: 54 miles
- Route: La Verkin to Mt. Carmel Junction
- Highlights: Leading into Zion National Park, this road takes you through narrow canyons, tunnels carved into cliffs, and the beautiful red rock formations of Zion.
5. Utah Route 261 (Moki Dugway)
- Length: 34 miles
- Route: Near Mexican Hat to Natural Bridges National Monument
- Highlights: Moki Dugway is a steep, gravel road with tight switchbacks, offering breathtaking views over the Valley of the Gods and the distant Monument Valley.
6. Scenic Byway 143 (Patchwork Parkway)
- Length: 51 miles
- Route: Parowan to Panguitch Lake
- Highlights: Climbing up to Cedar Breaks National Monument, this scenic drive features forests, alpine meadows, and volcanic formations. In autumn, the fall colors are particularly impressive.
7. U.S. Route 89
- Length: 502 miles (through Utah)
- Route: Kanab to Logan
- Highlights: Often called the “Backbone of Utah,” Route 89 runs through small towns and connects many national parks. Scenic highlights include red rock country and the green valleys near Mount Nebo.
8. Alpine Loop Scenic Byway
- Length: 20 miles
- Route: American Fork Canyon to Provo Canyon
- Highlights: Winding through the Uinta National Forest and around Mount Timpanogos, this road is especially scenic in the fall when the aspens turn gold. It offers views of waterfalls, forests, and mountain peaks.
9. Scenic Byway 14
- Length: 41 miles
- Route: Cedar City to U.S. 89
- Highlights: This road climbs from the desert into the high forests of Cedar Mountain, offering views of Navajo Lake and Zion National Park. The road provides sweeping vistas of the desert far below.
10. Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway (Highway 279)
- Length: 17 miles
- Route: Just north of Moab
- Highlights: Following the Colorado River, this short but beautiful drive offers views of petroglyphs, rock climbers on vertical cliffs, and arches like Corona Arch. It’s also known for its access to scenic hiking trails.
These roads showcase Utah’s diverse and majestic landscapes, with each drive offering its own unique and spectacular views!