This tour takes you on some of the most scenic roads in Utah throughout Capitol Reef National Park and on to All American Scenic Highway 12, where you will see beautiful colors of sandstone rocks and canyons. There are several overlook viewpoints for some great photos.
Travel to Capitol Reef and check in to your accommodations.
More: Driving Directions: 
From Salt Lake (224 mi/360 km) :
Head Southbound 1-15 119 mi/191 km)
Take exit 188 toward US-50 E/Scipio Turn Left off exit. (1 mi/1.6 km)
Turn right at US-50 E/N State St (24 mi/38.6 km)
Turn right at UT-260 S/Main St (4.2 mi/6.7 km)
Turn right at UT-24 E (2.8 mi/4.5 km)
Slight left at UT-24 E/State St N (44.4 mi/71.4 km)
Slight left at UT-24 E/E 300 S St Continue to follow UT-24 E (26.9 mi/43.29 km)
Turn RIGHT onto CAPITOL REEF RD. (.4 mi/.6 km)
From Las Vegas:
Quickest Route: (338 Mi/543 km) 5 hrs 30 minutes
Head north on I-15 N toward Exit 38 (248 mi/399 km)
Take the UT-20 exit, EXIT 95, turn right toward US-89/PANGUITCH/CIRCLEVILLE. (20.4 mi/32 km)
Turn LEFT onto US-89. (21.4 mi/34 km)
Turn RIGHT onto UT-62. (12.4 mi/20 km)
Turn LEFT to stay on UT-62. (30.6 mi/49 km)
Turn RIGHT onto UT-24. (17.6 mi/28 km)
Slight left at UT-24 E/E 300 S St Continue to follow UT-24 E (26.9 mi/43 km)
Turn RIGHT onto CAPITOL REEF RD. (.4 mi/.6 km)
Scenic Route (through other National Parks) (365 mi/587 km, 7 hours)
Travel I-15 north (131 mi/210 km).
Take Exit 16 for State Hwy 9 toward Hurricane/Zion National Park (.3 miles/.48 km)
Slight right at State St/State Hwy 9 E (12.1mi/19 km)
Turn right at UT-9 E/W 500 N the second traffic light in La Verkin (there is a Chevron there).
Continue on U-9 through part of Zion National Park (44.7 mi/72 km)
Turn left at US-89 N/State St (43.1 mi/69 km)
Turn right at UT-12 E (123 mi/197 km)
Turn right at UT-24 E (About 9.8 mi/15.7)
Turn RIGHT onto CAPITOL REEF RD. (.4 mi/.6 km)
From Grand Junction (196 mi/315 km, 3 hrs. 20 min):
Head West I-70 W toward Green River (108 mi/173 km)
Take Exit 149 for Hanksville and Turn left at UT-24W (44 mi/70 km)
Turn right to stay on UT-24 W (37.3 mi/60 km)
Turn RIGHT onto CAPITOL REEF RD. (.4 mi/.6 km)
Drive the scenic loop south from the Visitor Center.
The Scenic Drive is a 10 mi/16 km paved road with dirt spur roads into Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge that, weather permitting, are accessible to ordinary passenger vehicles. In every direction the views are fascinating. From the road you can see sheer sandstone cliffs, uniform layers of shale and rocks that have been lifted and folded and carved into shapes that stir the imagination. The Scenic Drive is not a loop, so you must return on the same road. Entrance fees of $5 per vehicle are charged for the Scenic Drive.
More: Hiking:
Cassidy Arch (3.5 miles, moderate).
Named after the famous Butch Cassidy, Cassidy Arch is located in the central portion of Capitol Reef National Park, specifically just within the western walls of Grand Wash, beside the Scenic Drive. It's best to hike in the morning or late afternoon since summer temperatures can reach triple digits, and pack water. From Capitol Reef Visitor Center, Drive southward along the Scenic Drive 3.5 mi/5.6 km to Grand Wash Road. Turn left on to Grand Wash Road and drive to the trailhead at road's end.
or
Hickman Bridge Hike (2 mi roundtrip, moderate)
This is a fun, moderately challenging hike to a beautiful, huge natural bridge. The trailhead is located along Hwy 24 at a signed turnoff about two miles east of the Visitor Center. The trail is well maintained and easy to follow and rated as moderate because offairly steep portions. For most of the hike you will be exposed to sun. Wear sunscreen and a hat. We recommend doing this hike in the morning, when air temperatures are more pleasant.
Click Here for more hiking info in Capitol Reef
Return up the Scenic Drive to the Visitor Center and then drive back to your accommodations.
Eat Dinner. Click here to see Restaurants in the area.
View the rock art along Hwy 24
Take a walk along the "Petroglyph Pullout" on Utah Hwy 24, 1.5 mi/2.4 km miles east of the Visitor Center. Petroglyphs and pictographs, the so-called "rock art" of prehistoric peoples, have long held a special fascination for young and old alike. From the parking area, a short path leads to the base of the Wingate Sandstone cliff. Visible from this viewpoint are some of the most interesting petroglyph panels at Capitol Reef.
Drive All American Scenic Highway 12 toward Boulder
Drive up Boulder Mountain, where scenic viewpoints look down into the Waterpocket Fold section of Capitol Reef National Park. Continue the drive to the town of Boulder.
More: Directions:
Return to UT-24 E and head west (About 9.8 mi/15.7)
Turn left at UT-12 E (46 mi/74 km)
Turn left on Burr Trail Road in Boulder
Drive the Burr Trail
The Burr Trail road, originally a cattle trail blazed by stockman John Atlantic Burr, extends from the town of Boulder on Utah Hwy 12 to the Notom-Bullfrog Road. Much of the 36.5 mile road lies outside the boundary of Capitol Reef and traverses the Circle Cliffs, as well as spectacular canyon areas such as Long Canyon and The Gulch. The 5.3 mile stretch of road inside Capitol Reef includes a breathtaking set of switchbacks rising some 800 feet in only one-half mile. These switchbacks are not considered suitable for RVs or vehicles towing trailers.
From Boulder to the west boundary of Capitol Reef, the Burr Trail road is surfaced. Inside the park it remains a graded dirt road and is subject to change due to weather conditions. Visitors should inquire about road and weather conditions before traveling. We recommend that you drive to the end of the pavement and turn around and backtrack back to Boulder.
You can stay the night in Boulder or continue on to Escalante. There’s a great restaurant right at the cross roads of the Burr Trail and Highway 12 that you might want to check out.
Drive home or continue on Highway 12.
Accommodations near Boulder
More: Highlights of Hwy 12:
Anasazi Indian Village in Boulder (45 mi/72 km) from Capitol Reef
Calf Creek Falls (58.2 mi/93.6 km) from Capitol Reef (5.5 mi/8.8 km round trip) hike to amazing waterfall.
Escalante State Park (81.8 mi/131 km) from Capitol Reef
Kodachrome Basin (104 mi/167 km) from Capitol Reef
Mossy Cave, a sneak peak of Bryce. Drive past Bryce toward Tropic and there is a pullout on the right. Play in the small cave and waterfall down a short half mile path.
