Seniors Travel An “All American Road”
“Highway 12 — A Journey Through Time Scenic Byway”, is a state highway designated an All-American Road located in Garfield County and Wayne County, Utah. Senior travelers, Highway 12 is one of the Top 10 most scenic routes in the country.
Nestled between Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon National Parks, Scenic Byway 12 is said to be located in one of the most beautiful places on earth. How is the word scenic best described? “Scenic reaches out beyond breathtaking vistas.”
Offshoots of the Burr Trail and Hell’s Backbone Road, along with the many trails and slot canyons, add to the sheer and overwhelming majestic beauty of the entire area.
Senior Bikers and Drivers Enjoy Highway 12
There are many stretches of highways in the US that senior folks who travel lots like to enjoy. Route 66 is a perfect example, however Highway 12 stands out above all the others. Be sure to take a look at the Route Guide that is part of the website above along with the Interactive Map.
Highway 12 runs for 122 miles and takes 3 hours to complete. Bryce Canyon National Park is 12 miles east of Hwy 89 and just off Hwy 12. And bikers…Utah’s Hwy 12 was named #6 in Top 10 Biker Roads.
The road starts from the junction with Hwy 89 just south of Panguitch and travels east and north to end 122 miles later at Torrey with the junction at Hwy 24. It passes through the towns of Tropic and Cannonville and gives access to Kodachrome Basin State Park and the Petrified Forest State Park. It links some of the best known highlights in south Utah including Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Capitol Reef National Park.
Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Park are the Book Ends
Del Leu writes in his website Dels Journeys (My 20 Favorite Drives in the U.S.)… “This route, Highway 12, is paved the whole way as it extends across southern Utah and is suitable even for RV’s.”
The Scenic Byway yields a kaleidoscope of color and you will find a national gem at either end: Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks. Route 12 is a showcase of sandstone sculpted by nature, this is no mere transportation route. The sites and pull-offs along the route are just as much “eye-candy” as the two stunning Parks at each end.
The National Scenic Byways Program, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, 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, selected for the various archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.
So point your GPS towards Scenic Byway 12 and enjoy every moment on and off the road. It will remain one of the highlights of your trip to Utah. jeb