Driving Directions

Highway 12 - A Journey Through Time Scenic Byway

Highway 12 Scenic Byway Features Map Map Source: Byways.org

From US 89 south of Panguitch, SR-12 travels through 122 miles of the most varied scenery in Utah. Beginning in Red Canyon, SR-12 winds through the northern portion of vibrant Bryce Canyon National Park, Dixie National Forest, past Kodachrome Basin State Park, through the new Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Escalante Canyons, crosses over aspen-covered Boulder Mountain, and ends up in Torrey, just 5 miles west of Capitol Reef National Park.

The Hwy 12 paved route is rated one of the top ten Scenic Byways in America by Car and Driver magazine. Spanning a route of more than 120 miles, Hwy 12 travels from west to east through Garfield County and Wayne County.

Highway 12 Scenic Byway Features Detail Map Map Source: ByWays.org

Starting from Hwy 89 and SR-12 Junction

• Hwy 12 Scenic Byway begins at US Hwy 89, 7 miles south of the city and 8 miles north of the town of Hatch. When you start, you bisect the beautiful red rock formations of Red Canyon in Dixie National Forest. Continuing east the Scenic Byway passes through spectacular views of a variety of rock formations. Stone and mud food storage structures called granaries can be seen along the route. Visitor centers and businesses along the way have information about the area.
• From Escalante, geographically located near the midpoint of the Byway, the road turns north winding through vast expanses of slickrock country. Along the way travelers are rewarded with views of the Escalante River, Calf Creek Canyon, the Hogsback and Boulder Mountain. At Boulder visitors can get a firsthand look at life in a prehistoric Native American village at Anasazi Indian Village Park.
• Continuing north from Boulder, Hwy 12 crosses the eastern flank of Boulder Mountain with spectacular views of Capitol Reef National Park, the Henry Mountains, Circle Cliffs, and Navajo Mountain on the far side of Lake Powell. On a clear day travelers can see more than 100 miles into Colorado and Arizona.
• Hwy 12 ends at its northernmost point where it joins Hwy 24 in Wayne County. The town of Torrey is near the junction, and travelers can take the 9-mile drive east along Hwy 24 to Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center.

Getting to the Byway

Salt Lake City, UT to Panguitch

• Distance: 245.00 mi
• Driving Time: 5.5 hours
• Proceed south from Salt Lake City on Interstate 15 to Exit 95 (Panguitch).
• Turn east on Utah State Highway 20 and travel 20 miles to the intersection of Utah State Highway 20 and US Highway 89.
• Turn south onto US Highway 89 and travel 17 miles to the intersection of US Highway 89 and Scenic Byway 12.
• Turn east onto Scenic Byway 12 and enjoy!

Las Vegas, NV

• Distance: 240.00 mi
• Driving Time: 5.5 Hours
• Proceed north from Las Vegas on Interstate 15 to Exit 16 just north of St. George, Utah.
• Travel east on Utah State Highway 9 through Zion National Park to the intersection of Utah State Highway 9 and US Highway 89.
• Continue northward on US Highway 89 44 miles to the intersection of US Highway 89 and Scenic Byway 12.
• Turn east on Scenic Byway 12 and enjoy!

Denver, CO

• Distance: 430.00 mi
• Driving Time: 7 Hours
• Proceed west from Denver on Interstate 70 to Sigurd, Utah (Exit 48).
• Turn south on Utah State Highway 24 and proceed about 56 miles to Torrey and the intersection of Utah State Highway 24 and Scenic Byway 12.
• Turn south on Scenic Byway 12 and enjoy!

Salt Lake City, UT to Torrey

• Distance: 200.00 mi
• Driving Time: 4 Hours
• Proceed south from Salt Lake City on Interstate 15 to Exit 188 at Scipio.
• Proceed southeast on US Highway 50 for about 30 miles to Sigurd and the intersection of US Highway 50 and Utah State Highway 24.
• Proceed southeastward on Utah State Highway 24 about 50 miles to Torrey and the intersection of Utah State Highway 24 and Scenic Byway 12.
• Turn south on Scenic Byway 12 and enjoy!

Cedar City, UT

• Distance: 62.00 mi
• Driving Time: 1.5 hours
• Proceed eastward from Cedar City on Utah State Highway 14 for about 41 miles to the intersection of Utah State Highway 14 and US Highway 89 (Tod's Junction).
• Turn north onto US Highway 89 and travel about 21 miles to the intersection of US Highway 89 and Scenic Byway 12.
• Turn east onto Scenic Byway 12 and enjoy!