Posted in Utah Nature February 01, 2021 by

13 Scenic Drives In Utah That Are Incredibly Beautiful

Utah is an absolutely stunning state, with sweeping views every way you look. Here are 13 scenic drives in Utah that are incredibly beautiful — so beautiful, in fact, that you’ll definitely want to take your time and savor the drive. Buckle up and let’s get going!

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate
1) Nebo Loop
Ken Lund/flickr
This scenic drive is beautiful all year round, though its especially gorgeous in the fall once the leaves turn.
2) Zion-Mount Carmel Highway
Tim Vo/flickr
This section of Zion-Mount Carmel Highway winds about 26 miles through Zion National Park. The small toll is well worth the money for this scenic drive, which is positively sublime.
3) Alpine Loop
Rudi Riet/flickr
Whether you start at American Fork Canyon or Provo Canyon, Alpine Loop provides picturesque views of Utah Valley. Please note: this loop is open seasonally -- late May through the end of October.
4) Highway 12 - Red Canyon
James Marvin Phelps/flickr
The south portion of this scenic highway offers plenty of unique rock formations.
5) Big Cottonwood Canyon
utahwildflowers/flickr
Big Cottonwood Canyon will take you all the way up to Brighton, where you can then get out and hike to see even scenic beauty.
6) Indian Creek Scenic Byway
David Millar/flickr
This scenic byway will take you into Canyonlands. Don't forget to stop along the way for a quick peek at Newspaper Rock!
7) Guardsman Pass
Michael Jolley/flickr
Panoramic Park City views abound on Guardsman Pass, which is closed during the winter.
8) Potash Road
Ken Lund/flickr
Potash is the nickname for SR-279. It winds along the Colorado River, and ends at the border of Canyonlands National Park.
9) Markagunt High Plateau Scenic Byway
Ken Lund/flickr
This byway (U-14) stretches from Cedar City to Long Valley Junction.
10) Mirror Lake Scenic Byway
JR P/flickr
From Kamas, you'll drive through the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, enjoying stunning foliage and perhaps even sighting some wildlife on this scenic byway before you arrive at Mirror Lake.
11) Upper Colorado Scenic Byway
ecksunderscore
This stunning state route (also known as U-128) starts in Moab and stretched almost 45 glorious miles.
12) Capitol Reef Scenic Byway
Ken Lund/flickr
This photo was taken from the Plateau valley near Loa. The entire Capitol Reef Scenic Byway will take you about 4 hours to traverse.
13) East Canyon
Utah Department of Transportation/flickr
A beautiful drive that's in a beautiful park -- get out, stretch your legs, and maybe even pitch a hammock for some scenic chill time.

What other scenic drives in Utah would you recommend? If you prefer to take in the beauty of The Beehive State on foot, these 15 gorgeous hikes in Utah will not disappoint!

Address: Nebo Loop Rd, Payson, UT, USA
Address: Zion – Mount Carmel Hwy, Utah, USA
Address: Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, Utah, USA
Address: 5375 UT-12, Panguitch, UT 84759, USA
Address: Big Cottonwood Canyon, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121, USA
Address: Indian Creek, Utah 84535, USA
Address: Guardsman Pass Rd, Park City, UT, USA
Address: Potash Rd, Utah 84532, USA
Address: Markagunt Plateau, Utah 84762, USA
Address: Mirror Lake, Utah 84031, USA
Address: UT-128, Utah, USA
Address: Utah, USA
Address: East Canyon, Utah 84050, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Scenic Drives In Utah

February 06, 2021
Sarah

What’s the most beautiful place in Utah?

You don’t expect us to pick just one (or two, or three), do you? Utah is just too beautiful to be contained in a list, but we’ll try! Nestled in the mountains above Ogden, the Ogden Valley is just heavenly. Between the charming, rural communities of Eden and Huntsville, the popular Pineview Reservoir and two ski areas, there’s lots to see and do in this pretty place. Another stunner is Provo River Falls, one of Utah’s most beautiful and most accessible waterfall. It’s located along the Mirror Lake Scenic Highway (information in the article above!), above Kamas, and you can see it right from the parking lot. Here are 15 of the state’s most beautiful places.

Are there any scenic overlooks in Utah?

There are! If you’re enjoying one of our scenic drives in Utah, and find yourself wanting to stop and savor the views, you can most definitely do that at some of the state’s many scenic overlooks. Bryce Canyon National Park has some of *the best* views in the state — Inspiration Point is perhaps the prettiest, but you’ll have to go and decide for yourself!

Why are some of Utah’s scenic byways closed in the winter?

Utah is a total winter wonderland — so much so, that many of its scenic byways shut down during the winter months. Between significant snowfall and other hazardous conditions, you’ll want to avoid certain spots during the winter months. You can find all the road closures on the Utah Department of Transportation website Seasonal Road Closure page.

Address: Nebo Loop Rd, Payson, UT, USA
Address: Zion – Mount Carmel Hwy, Utah, USA
Address: Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, Utah, USA
Address: 5375 UT-12, Panguitch, UT 84759, USA
Address: Big Cottonwood Canyon, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121, USA
Address: Indian Creek, Utah 84535, USA
Address: Guardsman Pass Rd, Park City, UT, USA
Address: Potash Rd, Utah 84532, USA
Address: Markagunt Plateau, Utah 84762, USA
Address: Mirror Lake, Utah 84031, USA
Address: UT-128, Utah, USA
Address: Utah, USA
Address: East Canyon, Utah 84050, USA