Highway 12 Scenic Byway
A Kaleidoscope of Color
A kaleidoscope of color and a national gem at each end - Highway 12 is a showcase of sandstone sculpted by nature where people have lived and explored for thousands of years. Drive this Byway connecting Bryce Canyon
and Capitol Reef National Parks, and you will soon see that you are on no mere transportation route -- the views and stops along the way are just as enthralling as the two stunning Parks at each end.
Orange Hoodoos by Highway 12 in Utah
Photo Courtesy: July 2001. A. Crane / ByWays.org |
Culture for the CuriousExperience life on the Byway for the past and the present. Byway towns supply you with a taste of the simple life in the middle of a fantastic wilderness. Historic stops and pullouts provide stories to pique your curiosity. Stop and discover ancient ruins and artwork throughout the canyons and rock faces that line this Byway.
Irresistible Recreation
At nearly every turn there is an opportunity to get out of the car and stretch. But stretching is only the beginning. By foot or horse, bike or motor, park your car, grab a friend, and explore the back roads and trails of this wonderland of sculpted color and solitude.
The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has provided funding for almost 1500 state and nationally designated byway projects in 48 states. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways based on one or more archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.
Our definition of "scenic" reaches beyond breathtaking vistas. All of America's Byways™ are "scenic", representing the depth and breadth of scenery in America--natural and man-made panoramas; electrifying neon landscapes; ancient and modern history coming alive; native arts and culture; and scenes of friends, families and strangers sharing their stories. 
