Follow The Colorado River Along This Scenic Drive Through Utah
By Courtnie Erickson|Published May 31, 2022
×
Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
Near two national parks and the small town of Moab, you will find three gorgeous scenic byways. One of these, the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway, follows the majestic Colorado River. If you travel this road in its entirety, you’ll enjoy beautiful river views, and access to many trailheads, historic sites, ghost towns, and more. Whether you want to spend a few hours or an entire day, the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway in Utah will not disappoint.
The Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway, also known as Utah Highway 128, begins at the Colorado River Bridge on the north end of Moab. This scenic byway is 44 miles and in this short distance, you will come across lots to see and do.
For the first 13 miles of this scenic byway in Utah, you will travel through the Colorado River Gorge and next to the Colorado River. Give yourself some time to stop and admire the large sandstone cliffs and capture some river views.
If you have the time (and the energy!), you’ll certainly want to tackle the 5.7-mile trail that will take you to this incredible natural feature. The Morning Glory Natural Bridge is actually the sixth largest natural rock bridge in the United States and boasts an impressive span of 243 feet.
As you continue on this scenic byway in Utah, the road will begin to widen. Approximately halfway into the drive, you will come to one spectacular view — Fisher Towers.
These are unique sandstone towers that stand hundreds of feet in the air with the Titan Tower standing an impressive 900-feet tall.
Not far up the road, you will come to the site of the historic Dewey Bridge. This was a large wooden suspension bridge that was built in 1919. Unfortunately, this bridge was destroyed in a 2008 fire. When it was built, this was the second-longest suspension bridge west of the Mississippi.
Cisco was once a thriving town. In the 1880s, it was a watering stop for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad and also a farming town where thousands of sheep were sheared. However, once Interstate 70 was built, people bypassed Cisco. This eventually forced all of its residents out of town, turning this area into a ghost town. The photo above shows what is left of the Cisco Post Office.
Not only will you enjoy stunning views of the Colorado River, but there is plenty to see and do as you explore this Utah scenic byway. Make sure to add a drive on this road to your itinerary the next time you are in Moab.
