Must-See Scenic Road Trips to Explore
Exploring Utah's Scenic Drives: A Journey Through Time and Nature
Embark on an unforgettable adventure as you traverse Utah's breathtaking landscapes, weaving through roads that connect us to landscapes shaped over millennia. These scenic routes, totalling 19 in number, showcase the state's unique and diverse geological features, from vast multicoloured canyons to towering sandstone cliffs, rugged deserts, striking mesas, natural amphitheaters, and high-elevation forests.
Before you set off, it's essential to check weather alerts before tackling mountain passes. Weather apps and emergency kits are your best friends on this journey. It's also recommended to drive thoughtfully, leave no trace, and let every turn reveal new wonders.
One of the most iconic drives is Utah's Highway 12, an All-American Road that reveals some of the most iconic western scenery in the United States. This route takes you through red sandstone cliffs, multicoloured canyons, picturesque pine-covered hills, and vast mesas. Along the way, you'll pass by Bryce Canyon National Park, famous for its hoodoos (tall, thin spires of rock), Capitol Reef National Park, and Cedar Breaks National Monument, each boasting unique rock formations and geological history.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its hoodoos, created by frost weathering and stream erosion of the Claron Formation's pink limestone. Cedar Breaks National Monument, on the other hand, features a natural amphitheater over 3 miles wide and 2,000 feet deep, formed through centuries of erosion on a high plateau over 10,000 feet in elevation. Red Canyon, another highlight, showcases vermilion-coloured rock formations and ponderosa pine forests along Highway 12.
Zion National Park, another area that Utah’s scenic drives include, has towering pink and gray sandstone cliffs formed over 150 million years through sedimentation and uplift. Zion reveals nine distinct rock layers with different colors, fossils, and geological histories. Its landscapes include cliffs, mesas, buttes, and slot canyons formed by the Virgin River cutting through Navajo sandstone.
Other scenic drives connect or pass through national parks and monuments with unique geology, such as Capitol Reef National Park, featuring the Waterpocket Fold (a nearly 100-mile monocline), and routes alongside features like the Hogback—a winding ridge with cliffs dropping on both sides.
During your journey, don't forget to dine at family-owned restaurants, shop at farmers' markets, and stay in boutique motels or B&Bs. These local establishments support the communities you're visiting during your travel. Local diners near route endpoints often serve hearty meals perfect after a day exploring.
For camping enthusiasts, booking sites early at popular recreation areas is recommended. For those seeking quirky stops, historic sites, and small-town diners, apps like Roadtrippers can be your guide.
Utah's fall festivals celebrate nature's fireworks with cottonwood trees blazing gold against crimson cliffs, creating color collisions unphotoshoppable according to local photographers.
For more detailed information on all 19 scenic drives and their geological highlights, official Utah tourism or state geological resources should be consulted. Happy travels!
[1] Utah.com - Scenic Byways [2] Utah.com - National Parks [3] Utah Geological Survey - Scenic Highways
- As you embark on the journey through Utah's scenic drives, consider investing in a weather app to keep you informed of mountain pass conditions.
- Alongside Utah Highway 12, take a moment to appreciate the wisdom of nature as you witness the beauty of red sandstone cliffs and vibrant canyons.
- To deepen your understanding of the geological wonders you see during your travel, check out educational resources such as the Utah Geological Survey or explore the rich history of the region by visiting places like historic small-town diners.
- To truly immerse yourself in Utah's unique lifestyle, savor home-made meals at family-owned restaurants, purchase fresh produce at farmers' markets, and treat yourself to a memorable stay at a boutique motel or B&B during your travel experiences.
