Washington's Top 9 Scenic Byways
Whidbey Island Scenic Isleway
North Cascades Scenic Byway
Stevens Pass Greenway
(National Scenic Byway)
Strait of Juan de Fuca Highway
(National Scenic Byway)
Cape Flattery Tribal Scenic Byway
Chinook Scenic Byway
(All-American Road)
White Pass Scenic Byway
(National Scenic Byway)
(National Scenic Byway)
Castleton Tower, near Moab
In the Lower 48, Washington is the smallest western state. And yet, it’s one of biggest in all of America when it comes to geographic and cultural diversity. To the west, the Evergreen State lives up to its nickname with rainforests, volcanic peaks, islands, ocean beaches and beautiful, cosmopolitan Seattle. The Cascade Range sucks the moisture out of the clouds, making the central and eastern parts of the state an arid mix of desert, farmland and ponderosa pine forests. Fruit orchards and vineyards run north to south through the state’s midsection while the rolling hills of the southeast change from green to gold and brown as crops mature and harvest finishes. Around Spokane and the northeast, the feel is distinctly intermountain west with pine forests, bright sunshine and snowy winters. Washington’s byways mirror the state’s variety and thus, you won’t find a collection of drives more different anywhere in the U.S. Here are our favorites.
Map data ©2024 Google
Lower Calf Creek Falls
Scenic Byway 12
Panguitch east to Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef national parks including Grosvenor Arch side trip
186 miles / 299 km
While the name is somewhat uninspiring, Scenic Byway 12 is one of Utah’s most celebrated roads, connecting two national parks, Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef, via Utah State Highway 12 with numerous other attractions along its 124 miles. The views from this All-American Road are everything you’d want on a southwest road trip: desert landscapes, sandstone rock formations and impossibly bright nighttime skies. This is one of the best places to see the stars. But as this byway ebbs and flows, it passes by waterfalls and through forests, too. From Panguitch in southcentral Utah (where the Patchwork Parkway ends, see article below), it’s seven miles southeast on US 89 to UT 12 and the byway’s official start. The route then heads east, quickly passing through Red Canyon, where ponderosa pines thrive among rock spires and weather-sculpted buttes. It’s easy to see why camping, biking and hiking are popular here.
This is hoodoo country, and just up the bend lies Bryce Canyon National Park where 12 colossal amphitheaters feature the world’s largest grouping of these colorful stone pinnacles. From the turnoff for Bryce Canyon, go 3.5 miles on UT 12 to the popular Mossy Cave Trailhead where a nearby waterfall is more of a draw than the cave.
At Cannonville, a right turn and eight miles gets you to Kodachrome Basin, named after the old school color film. So, you can imagine how pretty the rock formations, cliff walls and hiking trails are at this state park! Another 12 miles down a well-traveled gravel road and you’re at Grosvenor Arch, one of Utah’s most impressive and accessible double spans.
From Cannonville, it’s about 30 minutes to Escalante, a cool little town with various camping, lodging and dining options. Escalante Petrified Forest is the second of three state parks along Scenic Byway 12. The somewhat steep hike up the mesa is worth it for the views. At the top, it’s an enjoyable amble through living pinyon and juniper interspersed with fossilized trees some 135-150 million years old.
I think the prettiest section of Scenic Byway 12 is the 28 miles from Escalante to Boulder. The road curves around mounds, domes and cliffs in white, cream, orange and red as it crosses through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. About 20 miles from Escalante, look for the Lower Calf Creek Falls parking area to the left. It’s six miles roundtrip but the moderate trek to this 126-foot waterfall is worth it.
Boulder is home to the third state park, Anasazi State Park Museum which features dwellings and artifacts from Ancestral Puebloan people who once lived here.
- Another option to Boulder from Escalante is the RV-accessible Hell’s Backbone, a gravel road penetrating national forest with a couple of campgrounds. Keep in mind that before you get to Boulder, you’ll have to cross a bridge that’s 109 feet long, 14 feet wide with 1,500-foot drops on either side. But the views of the Box-Death Hollow Wilderness are to die for!
- Boulder is also the start of the Burr Trail, which heads east of town toward Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Lake Powell and the Bicentennial Highway (see next entry). The road cuts through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and follows a red rock canyon before precipitously dropping by several switchbacks to the desert floor. You’re now in Capitol Reef National Park. Burr Trail is paved except for the switchbacks so again, do your research before attempting. At the fork, go right toward Lake Powell. DO NOT go left and deeper into Capitol Reef on the sandy, dirt road unless you’re 4WD.
Back in Boulder, Scenic Byway 12 continues north through alpine woods with great views to the east. It’s 50 minutes to Torrey and the west entrance of Capitol Reef National Park.
Researched and written by Greg Phillips. Original itinerary created for RVshare and then adjusted to include all travelers.
Map data ©2024 Google
Bicentennial
Goblin Valley
southeast to Blanding
185 miles / 298 km
House on Fire
While driving this National Scenic Byway, history lovers quickly realize that the Four Corners region rivals Egypt, Peru, Mexico, China and other top archaeological destinations. Trail of the Ancients is complex and fascinating, giving insight to Ancestral Puebloans who built communities, hunted, farmed and raised families centuries before the United States was formed. Their accomplishments are even more remarkable when you study the landscape, realizing the harsh, dry conditions in which they thrived. Until they didn’t. At some point, people vanished from the area. Extreme drought was the most likely reason, and Ancestral Puebloans moved farther south. The Navajo, Hopi and other modern Native American tribes are their descendants, mostly living in northeastern Arizona and northern New Mexico. This byway starts on the Arizona/Utah border, winds through southeastern Utah and into southwestern Colorado before continuing onto the crown jewel: Chaco Canyon, which we’ll feature soon in our New Mexico section.
On Trail of the Ancients’ western end lies Monument Valley, one of the most iconic destinations in the American Southwest. Towering 400 to 1,000 feet high, sandstone formations grace the high desert. Located in the Navajo Nation, Monument Valley straddles the Arizona/Utah state line. A fee gives access to a 17-mile loop road; however, motorcycles aren’t allowed, and I wouldn’t drive an RV on it either. Instead, book a tour with a local Navajo guide. Traveling in a vehicle equipped for the rocky, sandy terrain, you’ll have an experienced driver who will take you to places not accessible on the loop. You’ll hear Navajo stories about the valley’s history, and many tours are timed to the sun for prime video and photography opportunities.
From Monument Valley heading north into Utah, US 163 crosses the San Juan River. Mexican Hat is named after a large sombrero-topped rock spire, located just past town on the right. Then, take a left onto Utah State Highway 261 and go a short way to UT 316 and the entrance to Goosenecks State Park, where a parking area dead ends at a cliff. Here lies one of Utah’s most stunning natural features, in a state loaded with them. One thousand feet below, the San Juan River snakes through a canyon it’s eroded into a series of sharp curves over the last 300 million years. Laced with symmetrical ridges, the walls and buttes look like perfectly sculped cakes. Back on UT 261 and heading north, be wary of the Moki Dugway. Built during the 1950s to haul ore, it’s literally dug into steep cliffs. At 15 mph, the Moki Dugway is three miles of sheer terror lasting about 10 minutes. Actually, the gravel road is very well-maintained and wide enough for two cars to pass. I’ve even seen RVs and cattle trucks on it. So, it’s not that scary (gulp). After ascending the 11% grade to the top of Cedar Mesa, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views.
- If you prefer to skip the Moki Dugway, go back to US 163 and continue north to Bluff, an emerging tourist destination with a couple of motels and resorts, and then another 26 miles to Blanding, a larger town with a grocery store, gas stations and motels.
- Valley of the Gods is another option. Right before pavement ends and the Moki Dugway starts, look for a dirt road and sign to the right. In dry weather, Valley of the Gods is an easily navigable route skirting the base of Cedar Mesa for 17 miles before reaching US 163. From this point, it’s 45 minutes to Blanding. Referred to as a mini–Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods is classic southwest with massive rock formations named Battleship Rock, Setting Hen, Rooster Butte and Buddha in the Bathtub. This is BLM country so it’s open for camping, biking, hiking and backpacking.
Back above the Moki Dugway, UT 261 continues north across Cedar Mesa before intersecting UT 95 and Bears Ears National Monument. Here, Trail of the Ancients merges with the Bicentennial Highway so check the article above for info on Natural Bridges National Monument, House on Fire, Cave Tower Site and Edge of the Cedars State Park.
From Blanding, go south on US 191 15 miles and then take a left onto UT 262 east. Follow the signs to Hovenweep Road, Cajon Mesa Road and Reservation Road before arriving at the entrance to Hovenweep National Monument, 31 miles from US 191. Sounds confusing but it works; however, be wary of GPS. It’s best to save directions to your phone before heading out. Everything about Hovenweep is satisfying: its beautiful name, remoteness and peaceful canyon-side location. A moderate two-mile loop trail leads past the stoic Square Tower ruins and down to the canyon floor before returning to the park’s visitor center. Square Tower is one of six prehistoric villages that make up this sprawling monument. Once home to more than 2,500 people, Hovenweep’s communities were built between CE 1200 and 1300. Located 10 miles south, Cajon is my other favorite ruin. Ask at the visitor center for directions and conditions.
Next to Hovenweep lies Colorado’s equally amazing Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. From Hovenweep’s visitor center, it’s 42 miles on country roads to Dolores, Colorado and the exhibits at Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum. Today, hiking, hunting, ranching and energy development are important. Driving through scrubland and past farms, it’s humbling to realize that humans have been active here for at least 10,000 years. This region contains the highest known archaeological site density in the United States; it’s estimated up to 30,000 historical locations exist. 8,300 are recorded and include villages, granaries, reservoirs, great kivas, cliff dwellings, shrines, sacred springs, agricultural fields, petroglyphs and sweat lodges. But time, weather, erosion and human destruction haven’t been kind. Most sites are rubble or lie covered under soil and vegetation. Still, excavation continues, and Painted Hand Pueblo and Lowry Pueblo are must-sees. The Escalante Pueblo is the easiest to reach; it’s located on a hill behind the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum.
The last stop on this road trip is the most famous. From Dolores, it’s another 20 minutes to Mesa Verde National Park, where the scenic drives, hiking trails, campgrounds and petroglyphs live up to the hype. Mesa Verde contains some of the world’s best preserved cliff dwellings and should not be missed. But you’ll need to make reservations to tour some of them so plan ahead.
Trail of the Ancients picks up in the Land of Enchantment with Aztec Ruins National Monument, Salmon Ruins and the incomparable Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Look for this entry in our upcoming New Mexico section.
Researched and written by Greg Phillips. Original itinerary created for RVshare and then adjusted to include all travelers.
Trail of the Ancients
Map data ©2024 Google
Monument Valley northeast to Hovenweep National Monument
and Mesa Verde National Park
221 miles / 356 km
Hovenweep National Monument
While driving this National Scenic Byway, history lovers quickly realize that the Four Corners region rivals Egypt, Peru, Mexico, China and other top archaeological destinations. Trail of the Ancients is complex and fascinating, giving insight to Ancestral Puebloans who built communities, hunted, farmed and raised families centuries before the United States was formed. Their accomplishments are even more remarkable when you study the landscape, realizing the harsh, dry conditions in which they thrived. Until they didn’t. At some point, people vanished from the area. Extreme drought was the most likely reason, and Ancestral Puebloans moved farther south. The Navajo, Hopi and other modern Native American tribes are their descendants, mostly living in northeastern Arizona and northern New Mexico. This byway starts on the Arizona/Utah border, winds through southeastern Utah and into southwestern Colorado before continuing onto the crown jewel: Chaco Canyon, which we’ll feature soon in our New Mexico section.
On Trail of the Ancients’ western end lies Monument Valley, one of the most iconic destinations in the American Southwest. Towering 400 to 1,000 feet high, sandstone formations grace the high desert. Located in the Navajo Nation, Monument Valley straddles the Arizona/Utah state line. A fee gives access to a 17-mile loop road; however, motorcycles aren’t allowed, and I wouldn’t drive an RV on it either. Instead, book a tour with a local Navajo guide. Traveling in a vehicle equipped for the rocky, sandy terrain, you’ll have an experienced driver who will take you to places not accessible on the loop. You’ll hear Navajo stories about the valley’s history, and many tours are timed to the sun for prime video and photography opportunities.
From Monument Valley heading north into Utah, US 163 crosses the San Juan River. Mexican Hat is named after a large sombrero-topped rock spire, located just past town on the right. Then, take a left onto Utah State Highway 261 and go a short way to UT 316 and the entrance to Goosenecks State Park, where a parking area dead ends at a cliff. Here lies one of Utah’s most stunning natural features, in a state loaded with them. One thousand feet below, the San Juan River snakes through a canyon it’s eroded into a series of sharp curves over the last 300 million years. Laced with symmetrical ridges, the walls and buttes look like perfectly sculped cakes. Back on UT 261 and heading north, be wary of the Moki Dugway. Built during the 1950s to haul ore, it’s literally dug into steep cliffs. At 15 mph, the Moki Dugway is three miles of sheer terror lasting about 10 minutes. Actually, the gravel road is very well-maintained and wide enough for two cars to pass. I’ve even seen RVs and cattle trucks on it. So, it’s not that scary (gulp). After ascending the 11% grade to the top of Cedar Mesa, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views.
- If you prefer to skip the Moki Dugway, go back to US 163 and continue north to Bluff, an emerging tourist destination with a couple of motels and resorts, and then another 26 miles to Blanding, a larger town with a grocery store, gas stations and motels.
- Valley of the Gods is another option. Right before pavement ends and the Moki Dugway starts, look for a dirt road and sign to the right. In dry weather, Valley of the Gods is an easily navigable route skirting the base of Cedar Mesa for 17 miles before reaching US 163. From this point, it’s 45 minutes to Blanding. Referred to as a mini–Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods is classic southwest with massive rock formations named Battleship Rock, Setting Hen, Rooster Butte and Buddha in the Bathtub. This is BLM country so it’s open for camping, biking, hiking and backpacking.
Back above the Moki Dugway, UT 261 continues north across Cedar Mesa before intersecting UT 95 and Bears Ears National Monument. Here, Trail of the Ancients merges with the Bicentennial Highway so check the article above for info on Natural Bridges National Monument, House on Fire, Cave Tower Site and Edge of the Cedars State Park.
From Blanding, go south on US 191 15 miles and then take a left onto UT 262 east. Follow the signs to Hovenweep Road, Cajon Mesa Road and Reservation Road before arriving at the entrance to Hovenweep National Monument, 31 miles from US 191. Sounds confusing but it works; however, be wary of GPS. It’s best to save directions to your phone before heading out. Everything about Hovenweep is satisfying: its beautiful name, remoteness and peaceful canyon-side location. A moderate two-mile loop trail leads past the stoic Square Tower ruins and down to the canyon floor before returning to the park’s visitor center. Square Tower is one of six prehistoric villages that make up this sprawling monument. Once home to more than 2,500 people, Hovenweep’s communities were built between CE 1200 and 1300. Located 10 miles south, Cajon is my other favorite ruin. Ask at the visitor center for directions and conditions.
Next to Hovenweep lies Colorado’s equally amazing Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. From Hovenweep’s visitor center, it’s 42 miles on country roads to Dolores, Colorado and the exhibits at Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum. Today, hiking, hunting, ranching and energy development are important. Driving through scrubland and past farms, it’s humbling to realize that humans have been active here for at least 10,000 years. This region contains the highest known archaeological site density in the United States; it’s estimated up to 30,000 historical locations exist. 8,300 are recorded and include villages, granaries, reservoirs, great kivas, cliff dwellings, shrines, sacred springs, agricultural fields, petroglyphs and sweat lodges. But time, weather, erosion and human destruction haven’t been kind. Most sites are rubble or lie covered under soil and vegetation. Still, excavation continues, and Painted Hand Pueblo and Lowry Pueblo are must-sees. The Escalante Pueblo is the easiest to reach; it’s located on a hill behind the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum.
The last stop on this road trip is the most famous. From Dolores, it’s another 20 minutes to Mesa Verde National Park, where the scenic drives, hiking trails, campgrounds and petroglyphs live up to the hype. Mesa Verde contains some of the world’s best preserved cliff dwellings and should not be missed. But you’ll need to make reservations to tour some of them so plan ahead.
Trail of the Ancients picks up in the Land of Enchantment with Aztec Ruins National Monument, Salmon Ruins and the incomparable Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Look for this entry in our upcoming New Mexico section.
Researched and written by Greg Phillips. Original itinerary created for RVshare and then adjusted to include all travelers.
Map data ©2024 Google
Utah State University Prehistoric Museum
Dinosaur Diamond
Loop route through eastern Utah and western Colorado
550 miles / 885 km
There’s nothing comparable to the Dinosaur Diamond. Like its supersized namesake, this National Scenic Byway is big in every respect: the monstrous lizards, vast distances, remoteness and stunning petroglyphs. Covering 550 miles, the circular route crosses a lot of ground in eastern Utah and western Colorado.
From Salt Lake City, it’s two hours east to Duchesne where you’ll join the Dinosaur Diamond and US 40 as it rolls through farmland and small towns until reaching Vernal. There are numerous museums along this byway and the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum is one of the best. A top draw is the dinosaur garden where you can snap selfies with several full-size replicas.
Just north of town, the McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs in Dry Fork Canyon feature numerous panels on a cliff face. The petroglyphs are easy to reach and in great condition. Created by the Fremont people, they are thought to be 800 to 2,000 years old.
From Vernal, it’s a quick drive to Dinosaur National Monument. The highlight is Quarry Exhibit Hall where an exposed wall contains 1,500 dinosaur fossils naturally encased in stone. This large monument features petroglyphs, camping, river rafting and hiking. It straddles two states, and the Colorado side has particularly striking views. To reach one of the best, continue east on US 40 to the town of Dinosaur. Another 2.5 miles and you’ll see Harpers Corner Road to the left. This paved road heads 32 miles north into the monument with incredible panoramas along the way. It dead ends at Harpers Corner where a moderate hike across a butte stops at cliff’s edge, the confluence of the Green and Yampa rivers far below.
Back in the town of Dinosaur, the byway continues south on Colorado State Highway 64 to Rangely. There’s a lot of rock art in this area, particularly on Dragon Trail Road and CO 139 so research before you visit. The Carrot Men panel on Dragon Trail is pretty much everyone’s favorite. The area south of Rangely on CO 139 has been designated Canyon Pintado National Historic District. Meaning “Painted Canyon” in Spanish, this part of the Dinosaur Diamond features several pullouts and easy hikes to petroglyphs. The signage is good but you’ll also want to map it.
From Rangely, it’s 78 miles across gorgeous Douglas Pass to Fruita, known for mountain biking and dinosaur bones. Dinosaur Hill has tracks and a quarry site where a Brontosaurus was excavated and removed in 1901. Nearby, the Dinosaur Journey Museum features cast skeletons, reconstructed dinosaurs and more than 15,000 fossils, making this a worthwhile visit for children and adults.
Now, the Dinosaur Diamond returns to Utah via I-70. Officially, at Cisco this byway follows the Colorado River Scenic Byway into Moab, but I believe that byway deserves its own entry so see below. Continuing toward Green River on I-70, get off at Thompson Springs and drive four miles north into Sego Canyon. The dirt road features superb rock art, a ghost town and cemetery.
Back on I-70 and three miles beyond Green River, head north on US 191. In 42 miles, look for East Mounds Road to the left. Another three miles on gravel and you’re at the Buried Concretions Trailhead. This easy 2-mile roundtrip trek takes you past large, petrified tree stumps embedded in cliff walls. Well, that’s what they look like, anyway. These aren’t the remnants of an ancient forest. Instead, it’s theorized that the circular oddities were created when water flowing through sandstone glued mineral deposits together.
Another weirdly pleasing site are the nearby Coke Oven Ruins, used for coal processing but now abandoned. Popular with history buffs, photographers and videographers, the rows of coke ovens are 16 miles east of the Buried Concretions in East Carbon.
Back on US 191, take a left onto Ridge Road as you enter Wellington. Various roads leading south will eventually get you to Jurassic National Monument and the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry. It takes about 45 minutes, the drive is a mix of pavement and gravel and the quarry has seasonal dates and hours so you must plan ahead. To date, more than 12,000 bones from at least 74 different dinosaurs have been excavated. With the densest concentration of Jurassic-aged dinosaur bones ever found, the quarry features a museum and hiking trail up a large hill overlooking the dig.
Moving along to Price, this is the largest town in the area and a good place to eat, drink and be merry. It also features the sublime Utah State University Prehistoric Museum. Dinosaurs are the draw, but it also has extensive exhibits on fossils, geology and ancient humans who lived in the region.
Ten minutes north of Price is up-and-coming Helper. Tucked beneath mountains, this historic mining town offers art, a museum, coffee and a couple of good places to eat. It’s an hour further north on US 191 back to Duchesne. The drive is outstanding, featuring a canyon and mountain pass. About 17 miles from Helper, look for FR 516 to the left and the Avintaquin Campground, a cool alpine option in the dead heat of summer.
Arriving in Duchesne, you’ve come full circle on the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. But wait, there’s more! On a byway overloaded with attractions, the most brilliant spectacle of all just might be Nine Mile Canyon. It’s an alternative drive from Wellington to Vernal, an easy backtrack from Price.
The exact reason for Nine Mile’s name is unknown but the canyon is actually about 46 miles long, an important consideration when filling the gas tank. Nicknamed the “World’s Longest Art Gallery,” there are literally thousands of petroglyphs gracing the canyon’s walls. Most were carved by the Fremont people who lived in the area 700 to 1500 years ago. An exceptional panel is called The Great Hunt, considered one of the finest examples of Fremont rock art. Most of the petroglyphs, and Fremont ruins like granaries perched on cliff walls, are actually hard to spot. You’ll need a map and accurate GPS. As you drive the road, consider another amazing historical fact: the route was carved through the canyon in the late 1800s by the all black 9th Cavalry, one of the U.S. Army's segregated African American regiments.
Researched and written by Greg Phillips. Original itinerary created for RVshare and then adjusted to include all travelers.
Map data ©2024 Google
Colorado River
I-70 to exit 204
then south on UT 128
to Moab, including
short detours
80 miles / 114 km
Colorado River, Fisher Towers & La Sal Mountains
The Colorado River Scenic Byway is a segment of the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway (see above) but it needs to be considered separately, too. While most travelers arrive in Moab via US 191, a far more inspiring drive is Utah State Highway 128. It starts near Cisco, an almost ghost town just off I-70. From Green River, head east 43 miles on I-70 to exit 204. If you’re coming from Fruita, Colorado, it’s 47 miles west on I-70 to the exit.
Driving south through a harsh, barren landscape, the desert suddenly gives way to the Colorado River and a deep red rock canyon that water, wind, rain and ice continues to carve. Several appealing campgrounds and trails are found along the drive including two must-hikes to Titan and Morning Glory Arch.
About 23.5 miles from I-70, look for the turnoff to Fisher Towers on the left where a two-mile gravel road leads to a parking area. Fisher Towers are massive sandstone fins and pinnacles. At 900 feet high, Titan is a favorite with climbers. This moderate hike winds along the base of the towers and it can get really hot so bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
Back on UT 128 and continuing west, you can’t miss Castleton Tower looming on the left. If you hiked Fisher Towers, you would have clearly seen this striking formation: a stone needle standing tall atop an imposing butte. With countless film, TV and commercial appearances, Castleton Tower is perhaps the world’s most famous desert pinnacle. From the Fisher Towers turnoff, it’s about 5.5 miles to Castleton Road where a short drive provides closer views.
From the Castleton Tower turnoff, the drive tightens as UT 128 moves west, with canyon walls to the left and Colorado River to the right. Look for rafters, kayakers and standup paddleboarders navigating the rapids. Some 11 miles from Castleton Road, Grandstaff Canyon is the next incredible hike where a trail follows a creek and then veers into desert before ending at Morning Glory Arch, the sixth longest natural rock span in the U.S.
The “upper” part of the Colorado River Scenic Byway finishes when it meets US 191 as it exits the canyon just north of Moab. If you continue three miles north on the four-lane highway, look for UT 279 to the left. This is the start of the Potash – Lower Colorado Scenic Byway.
Climbers love the section called Wall Street with cliffs like Manhattan skyscrapers. Signage indicates petroglyphs and dinosaur tracks. You’ll be amazed at how easy they are to spot from the main road once you know where to look. Nearby Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park are frequently crowded, sometimes to capacity. So, this byway offers alternative hikes, including the two-mile roundtrip trek to Bowtie and Corona arches. The byway officially ends by potash ponds at a watercraft launch into the Colorado River. It’s worth noting the pavement turns to dirt as the road continues to follow the river into Canyonlands National Park. But this route is only suitable for high clearance 4WD vehicles. Back in Moab, the town has undergone explosive growth with lodging, resorts and restaurants in every price range.
Researched and written by Greg Phillips. Original itinerary created for RVshare and then adjusted to include all travelers.
Flaming Gorge-Uintas
Map data ©2024 Google
Vernal north to
Flaming Gorge
and west to
Sheep Creek Canyon
105 miles / 169 km
Red Canyon Overlook
You know this National Scenic Byway is gonna be pretty if it’s called Flaming Gorge, right? Aside from beauty, the drive’s faraway location in northeastern Utah on the Wyoming border generally means fewer people, too. Driving US 191 north of Vernal and the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway (see above), it’s 11 miles to the entrance of Red Fleet State Park. But go another mile, take a right onto Donkey Flat Road and then 2.5 miles to the Dinosaur Track Site Trailhead. A moderate hike through juniper trees and across slickrock leads to the tracks, which lie in sandstone forming Red Fleet’s lakeshore. I’ve seen better preserved dino tracks but the setting is gorgeous.
Back on US 191, look for road signs marking geologic periods. The byway is an open-air classroom as the drive climbs from Cretaceous, during the time of dinosaurs some 80 million years ago, to the Precambrian, about a billion years ago. You’ll clearly notice the difference in many places.
US 191 then moves farther north into Ashley National Forest. To the west lie the Uintas, one of the few mountain chains in North America running east to west and the highest range in the lower 48 going that direction. Utah’s tallest mountain, Kings Peak, lies in the Uintas.
At the fork, continue the steep descent on US 191 as it approaches Flaming Gorge Dam. In 1962, the Green River began flooding the region behind the block and today, the reservoir stretches 91 miles into Wyoming. The dam offers a visitor center, self-guided tour and spectacular views, particularly if you cross over the dam and drive two miles to the overlook on the opposite side. From here, you can truly appreciate why the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is popular with boaters, paddlers, water-skiers and fishermen.
US 191 continues into Wyoming but if you return eight miles to the fork, and then go right off US 191, it will put you on Utah State Highway 44. Four miles later, it’s another right to the Red Canyon Overlook, where an easy walk leads to one of Utah’s signature views. From the colorful evergreen-clad cliffs, it’s a 1,300-foot drop into the Green River. If you dare, hike the rim trail!
Nearby, the cliffside Red Canyon Visitor Center is also a sight: in addition to books, maps, souvenirs and exhibits, the floor to ceiling windows make it seem like you’re floating over the canyon.
Back on UT 44, it’s 11 miles to Sheep Creek Canyon. To the left, look for FR 218, a 13-mile side road which hooks up again with UT 44 farther north. The highlight is Sheep Creek Canyon Geological Area, a gallery of massive rock formations and cliffs, eroded into funky swirls and layers. At UT 44, take a right and head five miles east. This is the section you missed by touring Sheep Creek. And it’s a doozy. Yellow, green, white and especially red color the cliffs and hills that surround blue water. That’s why explorer John Wesley Powell called this the Flaming Gorge.
Researched and written by Greg Phillips. Original itinerary created for RVshare and then adjusted to include all travelers.
Logan Canyon
Map data ©2024 Google
Logan east to
Garden City
and Bear Lake
56 miles / 90 km
Bear Lake
This National Scenic Byway explores northern Utah, veering close to Idaho before ending at a large and strikingly colorful turquoise lake. Logan is a university city about 1½ hours north of Salt Lake City and east of I-15. From downtown Logan driving east on US 89, the byway immediately becomes a stunner, climbing some 3,000 feet.
The road follows the Logan River up Logan Canyon past numerous outdoor activity areas like Wind Cave Trail and Chokecherry Picnic Area. There are also several campgrounds which fill quickly on weekends. Fly fishing is popular here, too. This is a classic outdoor mountain playground with lots of wildflowers. It’s particularly spectacular in the fall when blue skies and evergreens accentuate the changing aspen.
As you head deeper into the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, look for Tony Grove Road on the left, about 15 miles from Logan. It’s seven miles to Tony Grove Lake, set below cliffs at 8,050 feet with a day use area and campground. As you wind back through aspen groves to the main road, keep a lookout for deer, elk and moose.
Back on US 89, Beaver Mountain Ski Area is the oldest continuously-owned family ski resort in the U.S. And though better known for its winter sports, in summer and fall Beaver Mountain attracts plenty of hikers, mountain bikers and campers.
As the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway descends, you might think you’ve been transported to the Caribbean Sea. Split in half by the Utah/Idaho border, 20-mile-long Bear Lake shimmers a bluish green from suspended limestone deposits. Four unique fish species have evolved in the freshwater lake, which is popular for boating, sailing, waterskiing, jet skiing and swimming. The byway ends by the lakeshore in Garden City where you’ll find a marina and a few restaurants and places to stay. The town’s annual Bear Lake Raspberry Days in August celebrates the region’s famous fruit.
Researched and written by Greg Phillips. Original itinerary created for RVshare and then adjusted to include all travelers.
Map data ©2024 Google
Nebo Loop
Running parallel to I-15 in central Utah, the Nebo Loop is a short National Scenic Byway that focuses on alpine vistas, wildflowers and water features. About an hour south of Salt Lake City, get off I-15 in Payson and then make your way through town to the byway’s start. It’s not hard to find but you’ll need to follow directions on your phone or GPS.
As the paved road snakes its way into the Wasatch Range, look for the Grotto Falls parking area, about eight miles from Payson. A quick walk leads to a waterfall which usually gushes impressively in spring and early summer before dwindling to a trickle by fall.
You’re in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and soon you’ll drive through a large, heavily burned area, a scene becoming more and more common as wildfires ravage the west during dry times. Back among healthy pine and aspen, you’ll pass a couple of campgrounds, lakes and hiking trails before reaching the crest. Several pullouts have jaw dropping views of the surrounding mountains, including the byway’s namesake, Mount Nebo, the tallest peak in the Wasatch Range.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Utah without some colorful rock formations so take the short walk at Devils Kitchen to an observation deck. It’s like a mini-Bryce Canyon or Cedar Breaks as a small amphitheater lies below with pinnacles made of sandstone and conglomerate rock. Nebo Loop Road then winds to lower elevation, passing by a couple more campgrounds before ending at Utah State Highway 132. Five miles west and you’re back on I-15 at Nephi. If you plan to camp along the Nebo Loop, be sure to make reservations. Salt Lake City’s expanding metro area is within easy reach, making this area a prime target for campers. The byway is closed in winter.
Researched and written by Greg Phillips. Original itinerary created for RVshare and then adjusted to include all travelers.
Payson south through
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
to Nephi
44 miles / 71 km
Mount Nebo Overlook
Map data ©2024 Google
Parowan Gap Petroglyphs to
Cedar Breaks National Monument
and onto Panguitch
65 miles / 105 km
Patchwork Parkway
Cedar Breaks National Monument
The Patchwork Parkway packs a lot of diversity and elevation into a short span. Start in Parowan, a small town in southwestern Utah on I-15. First, go west 11 miles toward Parowan Gap. Surrounded by farmland, this geological oddity is a narrow, natural passage through the Red Hills. Popular with humans for thousands of years, today people come to marvel at the intricate petroglyphs made by Native Americans long ago.
Back in Parowan, the National Scenic Byway leaves town and immediately begins a sharp ascent through Parowan Canyon. Six miles from town, look for the Hidden Haven parking area to the left. It’s an easy 1.5 miles out-and-back through forest and along a creek to a 20-foot waterfall.
The Patchwork Parkway then reaches Bryan Head, the highest town in Utah with the state’s southernmost ski area. From 9,800 feet, you can drive higher still to the top of Brian Head Peak, elevation 11,307 feet, offering staggering views as far as Arizona and Nevada.
A couple of miles from the peak leads to the cavernous, half-mile deep Cedar Breaks National Monument. Sometimes referred to as a smaller Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks is another striking display of nature’s artistry, where weather has sculpted rocks into red, orange and white pillars, bluffs and ridges.
- To see more of Cedar Breaks and access campgrounds and hiking trails, follow UT 148 when it branches to the south. However, keep in mind this section is closed in winter.
- When open, this route is also the way to Cedar City and though you’re no longer on the Patchwork Parkway, I think the descent on UT 14 into town is actually prettier than the ascent to Bryan Head and Cedar Breaks on UT 143.
- Cedar City is worth visiting, too. There’s a strong art scene, headlined by the highly regarded Utah Shakespeare Festival every summer. It’s also fun to investigate the historic buildings, sawmill, horse-drawn wagons and other relics from pioneer and early industrial times at the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum.
Back on the Patchwork Parkway, after leaving Cedar Breaks and continuing east on UT 143, the highway descends through forest and ancient lava flows to Panguitch Lake where boating and trout fishing are popular. The byway ends in the town of Panguitch. In the winter of 1864, settlers used quilts to cross deep snow which separated their starving families from supplies. The byway’s name, Patchwork Parkway, and a small park and statue in Panguitch memorialize their efforts. The town is also the start of Scenic Byway 12, as profiled at the top of this section.
Researched and written by Greg Phillips. Original itinerary created for RVshare and then adjusted to include all travelers.