Road trip · South-central Utah
Utah Highway 12 Loop
The loop
Bryce Canyon, Escalante and Capitol Reef along one of America's most scenic byways.
Overview line between stops, not turn-by-turn directions.
Stop by stop
- 1
Bryce Canyon National Park
Suggested: 2 days (full guide: 2–3 days)
~32 mi straight-line from Bryce Canyon National Park
2Escalante
Suggested: 3 days (full guide: 3–5 days)
Grand Staircase-Escalante Permits and Slot Canyon Safety
~38 mi straight-line from Escalante
3Capitol Reef National Park
Suggested: 2 days (full guide: 2–3 days)
Quick answers
How many days do I need for the Utah Highway 12 Loop?
Plan about 7 days to give each of the 3 stops its suggested minimum time, plus extra if you add rest days.
Which order should I visit the stops in?
Bryce Canyon National Park, then Escalante, then Capitol Reef National Park. The order keeps each leg as short as possible.
Do any stops on this loop need reservations?
Check booking rules early for Escalante. Each stop's guide links to the official source.