Enjoy A Scenic Drive Along Utah’s 7 Most Beautiful Backroads

Taking a scenic drive is one of the best ways to admire Utah’s natural beauty and its many unique features. Here in the Beehive State, we are home to some of the best backroads with views that are exquisite. Some of these roads are miles long while others are just a few miles but offer scenery that is hard to find anywhere else. The following seven backroads are just a few of our favorite roads that are perfect for a scenic drive in Utah.

Guardsman Pass, Utah 84121, USA

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Guardsman Pass Scenic Byway is a lesser-known scenic drive that takes you from Park City to Brighton or to Midway. While a portion of this road is paved, you will also travel on a gravel road, so a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. This scenic backroad in Utah is the perfect place for beautiful mountain scenery, as well as some peace and quiet. Make sure you travel this road in the fall as the fall foliage is stunning. This backroad is closed during the winter.

Utah 12, UT-12, Escalante, UT, USA

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Scenic Byway 12 is one of the longer backroads on our list, featuring 124 miles of pure beauty. This backroad takes you from Bryce Canyon National Park to Capitol Reef National Park. Along the way, you’ll see (and even drive!) through arches, enter small towns, become surrounded by red rocks, and so much more. This is easily one of the best scenic drives in Utah.

Utah 14, UT-14, Cedar City, UT, USA

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Markagunt High Plateau Scenic Byway is a gorgeous backroad that is 40 miles and takes you along the Markagunt Plateau between Cedar City and Long Valley Junction. This road, also known as Utah Highway 14, also takes you through forests and lava flows. You will pass several overlooks including the stunning Zion Overlook and will catch glimpses of Cedar Breaks National Monument.

Potash Road, Potash Rd, Moab, UT 84532, USA

RB_Advisor/TripAdvisor

The Potash Scenic Byway is only 18 miles and begins approximately four miles north of Moab. This scenic drive will take you along the Colorado River and Wall Street, which are popular cliffs for rock climbers. Don't forget to stop and admire the petroglyphs on the towering cliffs right next to the road.

Moki Dugway, Utah, USA

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The Moki Dugway Scenic Backway is found near Mexican Hat and is actually considered one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the entire United States. While a portion of the highway is paved, you will travel on a gravel road, along a cliff, and at an 11% grade. However, once you reach the top, you’ll be greeted with some incredible views, particularly at Muley Point. Here, you can see for miles and even catch glimpses of the Valley of the Gods and Monument Valley.

Nebo Loop Road, Nebo Loop Rd, Payson, UT, USA

Ken Lund/Flickr

The Nebo Loop Byway is 38-miles one-way and winds you through the Wasatch Mountain Range. You’ll capture forest, mountain, and even city views as you explore all that this road has to offer. Make sure you stop by Devil’s Kitchen on the drive, which is one of the most unique natural features in the area and some Utahns even refer to it as a miniature Bryce Canyon.

Utah 150, UT-150, Kamas, UT, USA

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Mirror Lake Scenic Byway is actually one of the more popular backroads on our list. This road begins in the small town of Kamas and takes you high into the Uinta Mountains. If you love the outdoors, you will love this scenic drive as you will pass waterfalls, hiking trails, lakes, campgrounds, picnic areas, and so much more.

What do you consider are the best backroads in the Beehive State? Where do you like to go for a scenic drive in Utah? We’d love to hear about some of your favorite places in the comments! And, if you have a favorite business, restaurant, hike, place to stay, etc., that you love in Utah, share it with us by filling out this nomination form.