Scenic Drives & Day Trips
Tropic sits at the crossroads of some of Utah's most spectacular landscapes. From one-hour loops to full-day adventures, the road out of your front door goes somewhere extraordinary.
Planning tip: Fill your gas tank before heading into Grand Staircase-Escalante or Capitol Reef—fuel stops are sparse in the backcountry. Download offline maps via Google Maps or the NPS app before you leave cell coverage.
One of America's Most Scenic Highways
Scenic Byway 12
Winding 124 miles from Panguitch to Torrey, Highway 12 passes through Red Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and Capitol Reef country. Named one of the most scenic roads in America by National Geographic Traveler. Dramatic elevation changes and viewpoints at nearly every turn.
Hoodoos Before You Even Reach Bryce
Red Canyon
Just west of Bryce Canyon on Highway 12, Red Canyon's tunnel arches frame a view of brilliant red-orange cliffs and hoodoos. Often overlooked by visitors rushing to the national park, Red Canyon has its own trail system and dramatically fewer crowds.
A Photographer's Wonderland
Kodachrome Basin State Park
Named by the National Geographic Society in 1949 for its vivid color, Kodachrome Basin is a 25-minute drive south of Bryce. Unique rock spires called sand pipes rise from colorful canyon floors. A perfect half-day trip.
America's Last Explored Frontier
Grand Staircase-Escalante
One of the largest national monuments in the US, the Grand Staircase-Escalante stretches from Bryce south toward the Arizona border. Slot canyons, ancient Anasazi ruins, and remote wilderness. Plan a full day and carry extra fuel—this is true backcountry.
A Full-Day Journey East
Capitol Reef National Park
About two hours from Tropic via Highway 12 and 24, Capitol Reef is one of Utah's five national parks and arguably its most underrated. The Waterpocket Fold—a 100-mile wrinkle in the earth's crust—is unlike anything else on the Colorado Plateau. Stop in Torrey for lunch on the way.
Bryce Canyon's High-Elevation Twin
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Sitting at over 10,000 feet on the Markagunt Plateau, Cedar Breaks is often compared to Bryce Canyon but sits higher and sees fewer visitors. The drive there via Highway 143 passes through aspen groves and wildflower meadows. Note: typically closed November through late May due to snow.
Home Base for All of It
Happy Trails puts you within easy reach of every drive on this list. Check in, spread out the map, and plan tomorrow's adventure over a hot breakfast.