Utah's Color Country

Utah's Color Country Byways and Backways

Byways
The Scenic Byways in Utah's Color Country are part of a system of 27 of the most scenic routes offering a unique combination of recreational adventures and scenic attract-ions amidst some of Utah's most beautiful landscapes. From the rugged mountains and forests where skiers and snowmobilers take center stage in the winter to the dramatic red rock canyons and vistas around Lake Powell and national parks, the scenic routes offer something for everyone.

The Scenic Byways are all major roads which are regularly traveled. Some routes feature sharp curves and steep grades. Travel speed is less than 55 miles per hour in some areas. Please drive safely and enjoy our scenic byways.

Backways
Much of Color Country's history and scenic beauty can be discovered only by getting "off the beaten path." Designated Scenic Backways should be considered back country travel. The conditions vary from pavement or graded gravel to unmaintained dirt roads. Most can be driven in a passenger car. However, to drive the backways is an adventure to be taken seriously. Visitors should be prepared to be self sufficient. Good maps are important and when traveling the more remote roads it is wise to carry food, water, a spare tire, warm clothing, and other camping necessities in case the vehicle breaks down. Please assess road and weather conditions before starting. Detailed maps can be obtained from the local Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management offices.

Scenic Byways

Hwy 12 Scenic Byway: From US 89 to U-24. 122 miles, 4 hrs.

Markagaunt Scenic Byway U-14: From Cedar City to US 89. 40 miles, 1 hr.

Cedar Breaks Scenic Byway U-148: Between U-14 and U-143. 6 miles, 30 mins.

Brian Head-Panguitch Lake Scenic Byway U-143: From Parowan to Panguitch. 55 miles, less than two hrs.

Beaver Canyon Scenic Byway U-153: From Beaver to Elk Meadows. 17 miles, 45 mins.

US 89 Scenic Byway: From Kanab to junction of U-12 60 miles, less than two hrs.

Zion Park Scenic Byway U-9: From I-15 to Mount Carmel Junction. 54 miles, less than two hrs.

Kolob Fingers Road Scenic Byway: Off I-15, 18 miles south of Cedar City. 5 miles, 30 mins.

Bicentennial Scenic Byway U-95: From Hanksville to Blanding. 133 miles, 5 hrs.

Scenic Byways
Hwy 12 Scenic Byway: From US 89 to U-24. 122 miles, 4 hrs.
Markagaunt Scenic Byway U-14: From Cedar City to US 89. 40 miles, 1 hr.
Cedar Breaks Scenic Byway U-148: Between U-14 and U-143. 6 miles, 30 mins.
Brian Head-Panguitch Lake Scenic Byway U-143: From Parowan to Panguitch. 55 miles, less than two hrs.
Beaver Canyon Scenic Byway U-153: From Beaver to Elk Meadows. 17 miles, 45 mins.
US 89 Scenic Byway: From Kanab to junction of U-12 60 miles, less than two hrs.
Zion Park Scenic Byway U-9: From I-15 to Mount Carmel Junction. 54 miles, less than two hrs.
Kolob Fingers Road Scenic Byway: Off I-15, 18 miles south of Cedar City. 5 miles, 30 mins.
Bicentennial Scenic Byway U-95: From Hanksville to Blanding. 133 miles, 5 hrs.

Scenic Backways
Kimberly/Big John Road: 40 miles, 3 hrs., high clearance vehicles, seasonal.

Bull Mountain Road: 68 miles, 6-7 hrs., dry weather only; high clearance vehicles.

Hole in the Rock Road: 57 miles one way, 2 hrs., passenger cars.

Smoky Mountain Road: 78 miles, 5 hrs., dry weather only, high clearance vehicles.

Griffin Top Road: 32 miles, 1 hr., passenger cars, seasonal.

Cottonwood Canyon Road: 46 miles, 2 hrs., dry weather only.

Johnson Canyon/Alton Amphitheater: 32 miles, 3 hrs., passenger car, year round.

East Fork of the Sevier River: 60 miles, 2 hrs., dry weather only, passenger car.

Ponderosa/Coral Pink Sand Dunes: 12 miles, 30 mins., passenger car, year round.

Smithsonian Butte: 9 miles, 1 hr., passenger car, year round.

Kolob Reservoir Road: 45 miles, 2 hrs., dry weather only, passenger car, seasonal.

Dry Lakes/Summit Canyon: 19 miles, 1 hr., dry weather only, passenger car, seasonal.

Mojave Desert/Joshua Tree Road: 16 mile loop, 1-2 hrs., passenger car, year round.

Snow Canyon Road: 7 miles, 1 hr., paved, year round. Burr Trail: 70 miles, 5 hrs, dry weather only, passenger car.

Notom Road: 29 miles; 1-2 hrs, dry weather road, high clearance vehicles.

Posey Lake Road: 40 miles, 1+ hrs, seasonal.

Paria River Valley: 5 miles, 1 hr, dry weather only, passenger car.

Scenic Backways
Kimberly/Big John Road: 40 miles, 3 hrs., high clearance vehicles, seasonal.
Bull Mountain Road: 68 miles, 6-7 hrs., dry weather only; high clearance vehicles.
Hole in the Rock Road: 57 miles one way, 2 hrs., passenger cars.
Smoky Mountain Road: 78 miles, 5 hrs., dry weather only, high clearance vehicles.
Griffin Top Road: 32 miles, 1 hr., passenger cars, seasonal.
Cottonwood Canyon Road: 46 miles, 2 hrs., dry weather only.
Johnson Canyon/Alton Amphitheater: 32 miles, 3 hrs., passenger car, year round.
East Fork of the Sevier River: 60 miles, 2 hrs., dry weather only, passenger car.
Ponderosa/Coral Pink Sand Dunes: 12 miles, 30 mins., passenger car, year round.
Smithsonian Butte: 9 miles, 1 hr., passenger car, year round.
Kolob Reservoir Road: 45 miles, 2 hrs., dry weather only, passenger car, seasonal.
Dry Lakes/Summit Canyon: 19 miles, 1 hr., dry weather only, passenger car, seasonal.
Mojave Desert/Joshua Tree Road: 16 mile loop, 1-2 hrs., passenger car, year round.
Snow Canyon Road: 7 miles, 1 hr., paved, year round. Burr Trail: 70 miles, 5 hrs, dry weather only, passenger car.
Notom Road: 29 miles; 1-2 hrs, dry weather road, high clearance vehicles.
Posey Lake Road: 40 miles, 1+ hrs, seasonal.
Paria River Valley: 5 miles, 1 hr, dry weather only, passenger car.