Stretching 124 miles across south-central Utah, Scenic Byway 12 stands as one of America’s most spectacular drives—an All-American Road that lives up to its “Journey Through Time” name. This route traverses 100 million years of geological history, carving through landscapes so dramatic they seem almost otherworldly.

Beginning near Panguitch at US 89 and winding east to SR 24 near Torrey, the byway delivers one jaw-dropping vista after another. You’ll pass through the crimson amphitheaters of Red Canyon, skirt the otherworldly hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park, and cross the remarkable Hogback—a knife-edge ridge with sheer dropoffs on both sides. The route continues through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument’s vast wilderness of slot canyons and slickrock, climbs over Boulder Mountain’s alpine forests, and descends toward Capitol Reef’s colorful Waterpocket Fold.

Key stops include Bryce Canyon, the charming town of Boulder (home to acclaimed Hell’s Backbone Grill), Calf Creek Falls, and Anasazi State Park Museum. Countless pullouts offer photography opportunities at every turn.

Allow a full day minimum, though two or three days permits proper exploration. Late spring through early fall offers ideal conditions, with autumn bringing golden aspens against red rock. This is a drive that demands to be savored, not rushed.

Explore Nearby

• Yuba State Park — State Park in Utah
• Willard Bay State Park — State Park in Utah
• Fishlake National Forest — National Forest in Utah
• Dixie National Forest — National Forest in Utah
• Wildcat Hills Designated Routes — Public Land in Utah