Posted in Utah July 02, 2021 by Catherine Armstrong

Take This Road To Nowhere In Utah To Get Away From It All

Most of the time when we drive through the Beehive State, we’re on our way somewhere. Often, it’s work; when we’re lucky, we’re driving somewhere fun. Sometimes it’s nice to just drive without a destination in mind. The Alpine Loop can take you to some cool places (Timpanogos National Monument, Sundance, etc), and when you take a leisurely drive around the loop, you can really soak up some gorgeous scenery. In our humble opinion, it’s one of the best scenic drives in Utah.

The Alpine Scenic Loop starts at the mouth of American Fork Canyon (UT Hwy 92) and ends at Provo Canyon (US 189).

The winding, paved road is open from May through October.

Just a few miles up American Fork Canyon, you'll come to Mount Timpanogos National Monument.

If you have the inclination, take the hike up to Timpanogos Cave. The 1.5-mile climb is steep, but the views of American Fork Canyon are well worth it.

This is the perfect drive to take on your motorcycle this time of year.

As you near the summit, you'll witness some stunning views of Mount Timpanogos, Utah's second-tallest mountain at 11,752 feet above sea level. If you've lived in Utah very long at all, Mount Timpanogos is immediately recognizable.

Stop at Sundance, about 16 miles from American Fork Canyon. Ride the lift to get an eagle's eye view.

The Alpine Loop takes you about 26 miles through some of Utah's most amazing natural beauty. It's especially beautiful during peak fall foliage.

Provo canyon offers some beautiful scenery, too.

Stop at Bridal Veil Falls for a bit to take in this gorgeous 607-foot tall waterfall. Your trip ends when you reach the mouth of Provo Canyon

Of course, you can drive the Alpine Loop in the opposite direction – starting from Provo Canyon and coming down American Fork Canyon. Either way, you’ll love experiencing one of the best scenic drives in Utah!

If you want to stop along the way to hike, camp or picnic, you’ll need to purchase a $6 recreation pass, which is good for three days. Because the road is so narrow, pulling a trailer is not allowed along this loop.

Want to take some more scenic drives? Check out these 13 beautiful roads in Utah!

Address: Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, Utah, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

best scenic drives in Utah

July 08, 2021

Beth C.

What are some of the most scenic places in Utah?

The Beehive State is positively brimming with natural beauty. In the previous article, you learned about the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, one of the best scenic drives in Utah. However, there are some other scenic places that belong on your radar. Some of these lesser-known destinations in Utah include Kodachrome State Park, the Inn at Entrada, Utah’s West Desert, Tuah’s Lava Tubes, Paria Canyon, Meadow Hot Springs, and Dixie National Forest. Have you ever experienced any of these hidden scenic places in Utah?

What are the best road trips in Utah?

One of the very best ways to experience Utah is by hopping in the car and embarking on a road trip. Fortunately, Utah boasts loads of incredible scenery, so you can essentially drive in any direction and find something worth seeing. Some of the best road trips in Utah include Brigham City to Willard, Salt Lake City to Wendover on West I-80, Spanish Fork to Salina, Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, Nebo Loop, Ogden Canyon Loop, Capitol Reef National Park to Red Canyon, and, of course, the Alpine Loop. Learn more about the best road trips in Utah.

Does Utah have any hidden gems?

There are so many hidden gems in Utah just waiting to be uncovered. One of the tricks is knowing where to look for them. Fortunately, we’ve crafted an entire road trip around the ultimate hidden gems in Utah. Some of the destinations along the way incude the Hill Aerospace Museum, Ogden’s George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park, the Greenery Restaurant, Cold Springs Trout Farm, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Golden Spike National Historic Site, and Spiral Jetty. Learn more about this hidden gems road trip through Utah.

Address: Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, Utah, USA

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