The only reason we are not visiting Zion is because we have done this National Park before and whilst I would recommend it to anyone visiting Utah, we wanted to try to find different things to do on this trip rather than repeat everything we had done before. That being said, we might change our minds when we're out there and decide to do a quick trip to Zion!!
Even without Zion, our time in Utah is going to focus on National Parks, State Parks and areas of natural beauty.
We've decided to use Moab as a base for visiting a number of the parks as it is central and will give us some night life in the evenings. Last time we visited Moab, I hustled a local at pool and ended up getting our drinks for the evening free... he saw me playing badly against Lee but didn't realise that after a couple of large cocktails I become the Ronnie O'Sullivan of the pool world, even with my eyes closed and the pool cue behind my back, I still manage to pot all my balls! I will be trying this again!
State: | Utah |
Towns of Interest: (FB) = Firebreak | Moab |
National Parks: | Zion National Park - not visiting Bryce Canyon National Park Capitol Reef National Park Canyonlands National Park Arches National Park |
State Parks of Interest: | Antelope Island State Park
Goose Neck State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park (Thelma and Louise drove off it) |
Places of Interest: (N) = Night Stay | Arches National Park Delicate Arch Window Section Park Avenue and Court House Towers Balanced Rock Devils Garden
Moab (Nx2)
Dead Horse Point State Park (Thelma and Louise drove off it)
Canyonlands Mesa Arch The Maze Island in the Sky Grandview Overlook Needles District White Rim Road Horse Shoe Canyon
Capitol Reef
The Gillford Farmhouse Waterpocket Fold Notom-Bullfrog Road (70 mile adventure drive) Capitol Gorge Catherdral Valley The Fremont Petroglyphs
Highway 12 (climbs across the moutain landscape, with 100 mile views) Boulder (Quaint and accommodating town with good restaurants) Calf Creek Canyon Hike (short trial take about an hour to Lower Calf Creek Falls) (N)
Burr Trail Scenic Road (Boulder to Bullfrog - The Burr Trail takes the adventurous traveler into some of Utah's most beautiful and extraordinary country. Views of the Henry Mountains, the colorfully contorted Waterpocket Fold, red Circle Cliffs, and Long Canyon all await the traveler who wishes to drive this interesting back road. Numerous hikes and side trips are available for those with the time and inclination)
Bullfrog (N) Optional Route: Halls Crossing (Ferry service runs daily between Bullfrog Marina and Hall's Crossing. Crossing takes approximately 25 minutes to cover the 3.1 mile distance. The Ferry in effect is an extension of Utah State Highway 276 in that it connects northern and southern portions of the roadway across Lake Powell. Can take up to 22 cars per crossing)
Natural Bridges National Monument (3 Natural Bridges - Sipapu, Kachina and Owachomo - road and hiking trial link the three bridges) Valley of the Gods (Scenic backcountry area. It is a hidden gem with scenery similar to that of nearby Monument Valley. Valley of the Gods offers isolated buttes, towering pinnacles and wide open spaces that seem to go on forever) Goose Neck State Park (Small park affords impressive views of one of the most striking examples of an entrenched river meander on the North American continent)
Monument Valley (N) Three Sisters Guided Tour or Self Drive on 17 mile road John Fords Point
Coral Pink Sand Dunes Park (Picturesque dunes that are rose coloured)
Bryce Canyon National Park (N)
Sunrise Point Thor's Hammers Navajo Loop Trial Bryce Amphitheater Natural Bridge Agua Canyon Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive (18 mile drive that traces much of the rim, shuttle bus in the summer)
Patchwork Parkway Scenic Highway (55 mile road shows a patchwork of different environments an colour)
Cedar Breaks National Monument (looks down into a half-mile deep geologic amphitheater)
Kolob Canyons Road (5.5 mile road skirts the finger canyon) |
Routes of Interest: | Valley of the Gods Rd (17 mile drive)
Hwy 12 Between Escalante and Boulder
Burr Trail Scenic Road (Boulder to Bullfrog)
Hwy 163 (Monument Valley)
Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive (18 mile drive that traces much of the rim)
Patchwork Parkway (Route 143) |
Useful Links: | http://www.scenicbyway12.com/
http://www.scenicbyway12.com/wp-content/themes/sb12/library/media/images/route_guide.pdf |
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