The journey connecting Capitol Reef National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park provides more than geographical movement since it showcases the central region of southern Utah in all its stunning beauty. Highway 12 functions as an All-American Road that runs through alpine forests and desert canyons while showcasing ancient rock formations to become one of America’s most spectacular driving routes. The following guide presents the important attractions together with delightful communities that travelers encounter on their trip.
Torrey: Gateway to Red Rock Country
Surrounded by Capitol Reef Country’s red rock bluffs and alpine mountains, the town of Torrey sits at the junction of highways 12 and 24 making it the ideal location for visiting popular attractions accessible by these two scenic byways. In addition to its convenient location Torrey provides an array of services for Capitol Reef Country visitors offering comfortable hotels and a variety of restaurants, recreation outfitters, and shops.
Scenic Highway 12, Utah’s only All America Road, takes visitors from Torrey to Bryce Canyon through some of the Utah’s most scenic landscapes and adventurous locations. Visitors will experience a visual buffet of colorful mesas, plateaus, canyons, and mountains. Let’s get rolling!
Boulder Mountain: High Altitude Vistas
From Torrey, Highway 12 ascends Boulder Mountain which delivers breathtaking views of the Henry Mountains, Capitol Reef’s Waterpocket Fold, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, and Navajo Mountain. The road travels through the Dixie National Forest (Utah’s largest national forest) where large stands of Aspen Trees, Utah’s official state tree are in great abundance. In the Fall season, this stretch of road becomes a Kaleidescope of color as it showcases its stunning autumn beauty through golden leaves that transform the route into a picturesque spectacle.
Boulder & the Burr Trail: The Road Less Traveled
The descent from the mountain brings travelers to Boulder one of Utah smallest and most remote communities that’s surrounded by the beauty of the state’s most rugged landscapes. Within Boulder is the north entrance to the Burr Trail that passes through dramatic canyon walls and red rock formations. The road allows drivers to experience some of Utah’s most visually stunning natural scenery, which passes through a region where Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and the Henry Mountains converge.
Hell’s Backbone Loop: Wilderness and Wonder
Located about three miles west of Boulder off Highway 12 is a gravel road that leads to the Hell’s Backbone Loop offering access to high country within the Box-Death Hollow Wilderness. The main attraction of the road features Hell’s Backbone Bridge which delivers both breathtaking views of the canyon and an adrenaline-pumping experience that spans 1,500 feet above the Sandy Creek Gorge. The current structure, built in 2005, replaced the original wooden bridge but retains its narrow, dramatic character. Remnants of the old bridge can still be seen nearby.
The Hogback
Another four miles down the road west of the turnoff to Hell’s Backbone Road is the Hogback section of Highway 12. This is one of the most thrilling and visually stunning stretches of road, not just in Utah but in all the American West.
What is the Hogback? The Hogback is road constructed on the spine of a narrow ridge where Highway 12 runs exposed to deep canyons on either side hundreds of feet below. The slopes drop off steeply, offering sweeping views of the canyons carved by Calf Creek and the Escalante River. In some places, the ridge is barely wider than the road itself, with no guardrails! There are turnouts along the road where you can take in the views.
Calf Creek Falls: A Hidden Desert Waterfall
Lower Calf Creek Falls is located about halfway between Boulder and Escalante in the Calf Creek Recreation Area. The 6-mile out and back trail follows Calf Creek through Gambel oak groves, pinyon–juniper woodlands at the bottom of towering sandstone walls before leading to a 126-foot waterfall that drops into a swimming hole, which provides perfect relief from desert heat. The last quarter mile or so of the trail is through deep sand indicating that you’re getting close!
Escalante: The Center of Grand Staircase
Next up is Escalante, a small town of around 900 residents that serves as the central point of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument and a natural rest stop between Torrey and Bryce. The visitor center, cafes, outdoor outfitters and other visitor services in Escalante make this community an excellent starting point to explore the many scenic trails and surrounding attractions including Escalante Petrified Forest State Park which features a loop trail that passes through petrified wood-covered hills while providing panoramic views of the valley below.
Escalante provides a comfortable stop for travelers who need to rest and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Utah’s small towns while discovering the nearby adventures and scenic attractions.
Kodachrome Basin State Park: A Palette of Stone
National Geographic chose the name Kodachrome Basin State Park for its stunning color palette which lies south of Cannonville a small ranching settlement that lies east of Bryce. The basin reveals a surreal landscape of 67 tall sandstone spires known as “chimneys” or sedimentary pipes which reach heights of six to 170 feet displaying colors of red, white and yellow as you drive south on Cottonwood Canyon Road. The family-friendly experience at Kodachrome Basin State Park offers quiet exploration through either the short Shakespeare Arch trail or the longer Panorama loop which reveals geyser-like formations and cool caves.
Travelers on Byway 12 between Torrey and Bryce Canyon can make Cannonville a stop to experience this surreal state park for a colorful offbeat experience that includes stretching legs and photo opportunities before reaching Bryce Canyon.
Final Destination: Bryce Canyon National Park
Capping off the scenic drive from Torrey, after experiencing the adventure and scenery of Utah’s Scenic Byway 12, Bryce Canyon National Park greets travelers with its otherworldly amphitheaters of red and orange hoodoos. The viewpoints at Sunset, Sunrise, Inspiration, and Bryce Point provide breathtaking views to visitors especially during the golden hour. The Navajo Loop, Queen’s Garden, and Peek-a-Boo trails lead visitors into the maze-like formations while the rim trails provide short casual walks for those who want to experience Bryce Canyon’s dramatic scenery from its higher advantage points.
For details on Bryce Canyon, trails, viewpoints, etc. click here.
Final Thoughts
Driving Highway 12 from Torrey to Bryce Canyon National Park isn’t just a road trip—it’s a journey through some of Utah’s most diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes. The Colorado Plateau reveals its story through each stop on the journey which includes Lower Calf Creek Falls’ lush oasis and Escalante’s fossil trails and Kodachrome Basin’s surreal spires. The scenic byway reveals quiet moments of wonder and geological grandeur and small-town charm through its continuous curves and climbs. The journey encourages visitors to slow down to take it all in while traveling on Utah’s only All-American Road.
Keep Capitol Reef Country Forever Mighty
What is Forever Mighty? It’s practicing responsible travel while visiting Utah and Capitol Reef Country by following the principles of Tread Lightly and Leave No Trace.
Plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, be considerate of others, support local business and honor community, history and heritage. Help us keep Utah and Capitol Reef Country’s outdoor recreation areas beautiful, healthy, and accessible.
Plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, be considerate of others, support local business and honor community, history and heritage. Help us keep Utah and Capitol Reef Country’s outdoor recreation areas beautiful, healthy, and accessible.