This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Few roads in the world can match the beauty of Utah's Highway 12, a national scenic byway and an all-American road.
The 122.9-mile road that connects U.S. 89 south of Panguitch to Utah 24 near Torrey and Capitol Reef National Park features so many things to see for families planning a fall break October trip.
The changing leaves on cottonwood and aspen trees along the route add to what is already one of the nation's most colorful roads.
There are the hoodoos in Red Canyon and Bryce Canyon. Parts of the road are cut into sheer sandstone between the hamlets of Boulder and Escalante in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
Then the highway heads from the desert into the alpine splendor of the Boulder Mountain, where overlooks look down on Capitol Reef and the Waterpocket Fold.
Utah Highway 12 runs right next to Escalante Petrified Wood and Anasazi State Parks. It also provides access to the BLM's Calf Creek Falls Recreation Area, where a hike to one of Utah's most spectacular waterfalls is in the works.
A paved bicycle trail just off the highway stretches through much of Red Canyon, offering a great place for a bike ride.
For those looking for a different drive in the area, Garfield County tourist officials also suggest Highway 143 that goes past Panguitch Lake, Duck Creek Village, Navajo Lake, Brian Head and Cedar Breaks. That road is a high elevation adventure, and snow can hit there in October, so it's good to check conditions first.
For information on traveling to Garfield County, log on to http://www.brycecanyoncountry.com or call the Garfield County Tourism Office at 800-444-6689.