📷 Photo by Oleg Chursin on UnsplashUtah Scenic Byway 12
From Bryce Canyon over the Hogback ridge to Capitol Reef, one of America’s great drives.
- Distance
- 169 km (105 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 53 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 6
- States
- UT
- Updated
- August 23, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 169 km (105 mi) with 6 stops, from Bryce Canyon National Park to Torrey. About 1 h 53 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Utah
Route description
Start at Bryce Canyon National Park, where the Navajo Loop takes you from the rim down among the orange hoodoos. Scenic Byway 12 then heads east through Tropic and across open, eroded country to the town of Escalante.
Between Escalante and Boulder, Lower Calf Creek Falls is a 126-foot waterfall at the end of a sandy six-mile round trip through a red canyon; carry plenty of water. Beyond it, the byway runs along the Hogback, a narrow ridge with steep drops on both sides and little room for error.
From Boulder, a small ranching town, the byway climbs over Boulder Mountain through aspen and pine forest, with views across to Capitol Reef and the Henry Mountains, before descending to Torrey. This high section can see snow in spring and fall.
Capitol Reef National Park is a 100-mile wrinkle in the earth with pioneer orchards in its middle, where you can pick fruit in season and buy pie at the Gifford House. Torrey, just outside the park, is the place to stay. Fuel and services are sparse along the whole byway, so fill up when you can.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Bryce Canyon National Park
NatureBryce Canyon City, UTAmphitheaters crowded with orange hoodoos. The Navajo Loop takes you from the rim down among them.
- 266 km
Escalante
UT - 321 km
Lower Calf Creek Falls
NatureEscalante, UTA 126-foot waterfall at the end of a sandy six-mile round trip through a red canyon.
- 410 km
Boulder
UT - 554 km
Capitol Reef National Park
NatureTorrey, UTA 100-mile wrinkle in the earth with pioneer orchards in the middle. In season you can pick fruit, and the Gifford House sells pie.
- 618 km
Torrey
UT
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Bryce Canyon National Park → Escalante · 41 mi · 0 h 44 minOvernight nearby, for example: Escalante Outfitters Campground (< 1 km); Canyons of Escalante RV Park (< 1 km).
- Day 2: Escalante → Boulder · 19 mi · 0 h 21 minOn the way: Lower Calf Creek Falls.Overnight nearby, for example: Escalante Outfitters Campground (14 mi); Canyons of Escalante RV Park (14 mi).
- Day 3: Boulder → Torrey · 45 mi · 0 h 48 minOn the way: Capitol Reef National Park.Overnight nearby, for example: Wonderland RV Park (1 mi); Thousand Lakes RV Park (1 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and September. Hot in July–August. Cold, short days in January. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Utah Scenic Byway 12?
3-day road trip of about 169 km (105 mi) with 6 stops, from Bryce Canyon National Park to Torrey. About 1 h 53 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Utah Scenic Byway 12?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 53 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Utah Scenic Byway 12 start and end?
It starts in Bryce Canyon National Park and ends in Torrey.
Which states does Utah Scenic Byway 12 pass through?
Utah.
Where can you camp along Utah Scenic Byway 12?
OpenStreetMap lists 78 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Ruby's RV Park & Campground, Cannonville KOA and Escalante Outfitters Campground.
When is the best time for Utah Scenic Byway 12?
The most pleasant months are usually May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
More like this
© Chris M Morris · CC BY 2.0Great Basin Highway: canyons, ghost towns and charcoal ovens
© Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Edited slightly prior to uploac by Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 2.0Wasatch and Uintas: Alpine Loop to the Mirror Lake Highway
© Bureau of Land Management - Utah · Public domain