Utah's Scenic Roads

Travelers often embrace the vacation but weary of the drive there. Expect something different in Utah. Home to six of America's Scenic Byways, the Beehive State makes getting there a joy. In hours or days, visitors can travel along Utah's red sandstone, near forested mountain, or in areas once a haven for Mormon pioneers. Spring and summer offer the best weather. Information: www.byways.org [2].

Utah Highway 12 — 124 miles

• Time to allow—1 to 3 days
• Start/end points—Panguitch, near Bryce Canyon, and Torrey, near Capitol Reef
• Highlights—Winds through three national parks

Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — 512 miles

• Time to allow—10 hours to 10 days
• Start/end points—This loop through Utah and Colorado takes in Vernal and Dinosaur
• Highlights—Runs along land that boasts a trove of fossils from the Mesozoic era

Logan Canyon Scenic Byway — 41 miles

• Time to allow—1 hour
• Start/end points—Logan and Garden City
• Highlights—Lush gardens, forest, mountains, and great outdoor recreation

The Energy Loop: Huntington and Eccles Canyons Scenic Byways

• Time to allow— 1½ to 4 hours
• Start/end points—Huntington/Fairview and near Colton
• Highlights—Views from 10,000-foot elevation; Mormom pioneer settlements.

Flaming Gorge—Uintas Scenic Byway

• Time to allow—2¾ hours
• Start/end points—Vernal and Manila
• Highlights—Flaming Gorge Reservoir; passes near Dinosaur National Monument

Nebo Loop Scenic Byway — 37 miles

• Time to allow—1 hour
• Start/end points—Payson and Highway 132, Uinta National Forest
• Highlights—11,877-foot Mount Nebo; spectacular view of Utah Valley

  Photography courtesy Uinta National Forest by Bruce Tremper

  This article was first published in March 2003. Some facts may have aged gracelessly. Please call ahead to verify information.