Rising from the red rock desert of southwestern Utah to the alpine heights of the Markagunt Plateau, this scenic byway delivers one of the state’s most dramatic elevation changes in a single drive. Travelers climb through layered landscapes — from sagebrush flats and ponderosa pine forests to shimmering aspen groves and subalpine meadows blanketed with wildflowers in summer.

The route passes near Cedar Breaks National Monument, where a massive natural amphitheater of hoodoos glows in shades of orange, red, and violet — often called the quieter cousin of Bryce Canyon. Pullouts along the way offer sweeping views across the plateau, with distant vistas stretching toward Zion National Park and the Mojave Desert beyond.

Wildlife sightings are common: mule deer graze in open meadows, and hawks circle above the volcanic terrain. In autumn, the aspen forests ignite in gold, making September and early October the most photogenic season. Summer brings comfortable temperatures at elevation, a welcome escape from the desert heat below.

Allow two to three hours for the drive, longer if you plan to hike at Cedar Breaks or explore the many forest roads branching into the backcountry. This byway rewards those who take their time.

Explore Nearby

• Quail Creek Reservoir Designated Dispersed Camping Area — Public Land in Utah
• North Fork Virgin Wild and Scenic River — Public Land in Utah
• Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park — State Park in Utah
• Frontier Homestead State Park Museum — State Park in Utah
• Grand Canyon National Park Dark Sky Park — Dark Sky Site in Arizona