Scenic Byways

Whether its national parks or state parks, southern Utah’s scenic byways are full of picturesque places to explore

If you want to take an incredibly scenic vacation, visit the national parks along southern Utah’s scenic byways. Designated an “All-American Road,” State Highway 12 boasts Bryce Canyon National Park on one end and Capitol Reef National Park on the other and picturesque mesas, canyons and ridges in between. Other scenic byways in the region are U.S. 89 from Panguitch to Kanab, State Highway 143 from Panguitch to Parowan, State Highway 14 from Long Valley Junction to Cedar City and State Highway 9 from Mount Caramel Junction to LaVerkin, the route that passes through Zion National Park.

Panguitch is an ideal headquarters for exploring these national scenic byways. The charming tourist town is only 24 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park, 32 miles from Cedar Breaks National Monument, and 36 miles from Brian Head Resort. Zion National Park is only 74 miles away. In addition to these popular national park areas, Panguitch is within a short drive of recreation havens such as Panguitch Lake, Navajo Lake, Red Canyon and Kodachrome Basin State Park. If you need information about these natural attractions or help building an itinerary for your visit to the region, contact the Garfield County Travel Council first.

Located along Scenic Byway 12, Red Canyon and Kodachrome Basin State Park are less-crowded scenic options near Bryce Canyon. Only nine miles southeast of Panguitch, Red Canyon is an excellent preview of Bryce Canyon, displaying spires and pinnacles similar to its more famous counterpart approximately 15 miles away. Kodachrome Basin, located 9 miles south of Cannonville off State Highway 12, boasts multicolored rock formations known as sandpipes, which exhibit hues ranging from gray to white to pink to red. Both of these scenic areas feature many short hiking trails appropriate for the entire family. Red Canyon and Kodachrome Basin attest that national parks are not the only attractions worth exploring while traversing southern Utah’s scenic byways.