Scenic Highway 12 in Southern Utah
Bryce Canyon National Park is situated on the exhilarating Scenic Highway 12, also known as the "A Journey Through Time Scenic Byway." This 123-mile stretch is a rollercoaster of breathtaking scenery, starting west at Highway 89 and ending in Torrey, Utah, at Highway 24. The journey takes you from red rock towers to canyons, pine forests, and awe-inspiring views while passing through several charming small towns. A car is perfect for this adventure, navigating the towns and conquering the 8%, 12%, and 14% grades. And then there is the heart-pounding "Hogback," a 1-mile stretch with drop-offs on both sides of the curvy road.
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Starting Highway 12 from the west entrance at Highway 89, here are the MUST-SEE sights on the way to Torrey!
Big Rig RV Route Decision: To travel between Bryce and Torrey, do you drive Highway 12, showcasing our beautiful Earth, or go around on a more leisurely route? Are you prone to "white knuckle" driving on roads with shoulder drop-offs and curvy roads, challenged with climbing long elevations, or not comfortable using the engine brakes on long descends? Read below to help answer the questions. Then, if yes, from Bryce, travel Highway 89 north, Highway 62 east, and Highway 24 south into Torrey. It’s about the same mileage.
Mile Marker 7: Bryce Canyon City and the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park
The ultimate in erosion created shapes of brightly colored pillars called Hoodoos. Where Zion is massive rocks, Bryce is a whimsical fairy tale wonderland.
Mile Marker 21: Cannonville BLM Visitor Center
Willis Creek Slot Canyon, just 6 miles from Cannonville, starts just steps from the parking lot. Follow the continuous creek flow into the slot. In the first half mile, the 25-100' canyon walls twist, with Willis Creek still carving away at the soft sandstone. The creek bed trail continues to Sheep Creek (a total of 6 miles round trip). Look for pyrographs carved walls.
Visit the Cannonville BLM Visitor Center for maps and Willis Creek and Cottonwood road conditions. These roads may be impassable when wet. Nearby is Kodachrome Basin State Park, named in 1948 after the popular color film. The park is known for crazy Breccia pipes and monolithic stone spires that look like pipes, accentuating a multi-hued sandstone layer from 180 million years ago.
Mile Marker 60: Welcome to the small, unique, charming ranching town of Escalate! Stop at Escalate Mercantile for lunch; pick up a Turkey and cranberry sandwich, Walnut Banana Bread, and a Blueberry Muffin. Nemo's Drive Thurs is a good choice for a burger, fries, and a Cookies and Cream milkshake!
Mile Marker 69: The Hole-In-The-Rock
Stop at the "Head of The Rocks" Overlook. The view is as far as you can see of the Escalante Canyons maze of deep, winding canyons and colorful slickrock. From here, it's a 14% grade down to the river.
Mile Marker 75: Lower Calf Creek Falls Hike
Lower Calf Creek Falls hike, waterfall, and petroglyphs! This 6-mile round-trip hike to stunning 120-foot falls over mineral-streaked colored sandstone. The trail winds along the creek with several rock steps, through heavy sand, many shaded areas, and is well-marked. Look for canyon wall petroglyphs at marker eight and brown trout in the stream.
Mile Marker 79: Welcome to "The Hogback."
"The Hogback"… The reason for not driving your large rig on this road! Travel up the 14% grade out of the canyon to the top of the ridge. For one mile, the road winds along the top of the ridge, just wide enough to fit a two-lane road, with treacherous drop-offs on either side. Plenty of places to stop.
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