This coming early summer, I would like to explore the central part of Utah. I am familiar with Highway 89. I would like to travel Highway 12 and 24 and I am looking for your input on the following.* Attractions to see and explore* RV parks for big rigs. I am 68' with coach and enclosed trailer* Road issuesWe plan to take 3-6 days for the region.Thanks kindly.

We stayed at Thousand Lakes in Torrey and the KOA in Cannonville. I believe both campgrounds could accommodate your rig. Two National parks and several state parks are along the route. Make sure to stop at the Red Canyon Forest Service visitor center and do a short hike. Just beautiful.

You should have no problems with route 24 from Torrey north to I70. Not sure about taking your rig over route 12 from Bryce Canyon to Torrey. There are some short ( a mile or less) sections of 14% grades, plus the hogsback section for about a mile with long steep drop offs on both sides of the pavement. Actually no different than any 2 lane road with no shoulders, but folks with a fear of heights don't like that section.Our hogsback pictures

Thanks all for the tips. CloudDriver, I am use to Colorado 550 which is not as bad as Idaho 129/Oregon 3.I found this page: http://www.so-utah.com/hwy-12-scenic-byway/The trick is to figure out where the best place to base from. Any suggestions?

pjcnlv, thanks for the link. We're planning to head back to UT this Spring (hopefully before it gets too hot).I would suggest two base camps for route 12 & 24. Either Ruby's or the KOA at Cannonville for the area of Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome State Park, Red Canyon and possibly for a day trip to Zion. After that, drive route 12 to Torrey. We have used Thousand Lakes RV Park there. Capital Reef NP is near Torrey and the drive on route 24 to Hanksville is easy and scenic. If you want to move on to Moab for Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point State park, you will pass Goblin Valley State Park on the way up to I70. Lots of parks for your size rig in Moab. Assuming you have a car in the enclosed trailer (which you are going to need), drive route 128 along the Colorado River at least as far as Fischer Towers for some great scenery.

Take the time to hike into Bryce Canyon. Looking at the scenery from the paved overlooks is nice, however, getting down into the canyon and experiencing the hoodoos, fins, spires, slot canyons, and colors up close is mind blowing. 360 x 360 kaleidoscope.Zion is nice, and there is more to the park than the main canyon. We really liked the Kolob Terrace area. The main canyon was filled with people -- no solitude at all. You could not get away from the crowds, while the trails elsewhere in the Park were completely empty. We hiked for miles without seeing another soul.Kodachrome basin state park may be worth a quick side trip, not worth any extended visit IMHO. The Petrified Forest State park may be worth a stop and do the hike to see the logs, if you have time. The National Park in AZ is far larger with a greater variety of petrified logs.

UTAH Hwy 89, 12 and 24 | Good Sam Community

4runnerguy
Explorer
Feb 11, 2015
pjcnlv wrote:
We will be back in the area this summer to visit and hike Canyonlands NP. Any recommendations for an RV park near there?

Try doing a search here on Moab. You'll get pages of suggestions. Or start a new thread to get better responses.
Busskipper
Explorer
Feb 11, 2015
Having traveled this area often this post is a great compilation of interest and is Dead on for the area.

So many good replies with a wealth of information.

For me personally is a great area to just drive but when we get out and walk/hike into the areas with it's shear beauty we always want to return and discover more.

Thanks to all, who have added new places to discover.

BOL,
pjcnlv
Explorer
Feb 11, 2015
Thank you all on your replies. I will say that the road from Escalante to Torrey was a challenge. It is steep and winding and with a big rig, you have to be ahead of the rig. I had big Class A pusher tailgate me down into Torrey and they guy was nuts. It was a 20mph descent to be safe. He blasted past like his brakes were on fire.

We will be back in the area this summer to visit and hike Canyonlands NP. Any recommendations for an RV park near there?
Tripalot
Explorer
Apr 15, 2014
2gypsies wrote:
Here's a wonderful guide for Hwy 12 Scenic Byway:

Utah Hwy 12 Scenic Byway Guide

Is there someplace to get a copy of this guide? It is a lot to download and I prefer printed copy. We have not been to this area before - trip planned for this September and it sure looks great.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Apr 13, 2014
Here's a wonderful guide for Hwy 12 Scenic Byway:

Utah Hwy 12 Scenic Byway Guide
bcarroll
Explorer
Apr 13, 2014
pjcnlv wrote:
This coming early summer, I would like to explore the central part of Utah. I am familiar with Highway 89. I would like to travel Highway 12 and 24 and I am looking for your input on the following.

* Attractions to see and explore
* RV parks for big rigs. I am 68' with coach and enclosed trailer
* Road issues

We plan to take 3-6 days for the region.

Thanks kindly.

I would suggest staying in the KOA in Cannonville due to the size of your rig, plus it is very central to many places - Bryce Canyon, Escalante Grand Staircase, Calf Creek Falls, Kodacrhome park, etc.
There is a dirt road just east of Escalante called "Hole in the Rock Rd." - it is about 58 miles long and goes all the way to Lake Powel. Along the way there are sites to see - Devils Garden, Dinosaur track, Slot canyons etc.

Not sure of other campgrounds grounds that would fit your rig size but definitely not Calf Creek CG, no anything in Escalante.

One caveat on coming on 12 south on the scenic Byway... it does have some steep grades, up to 14% in some parts.

It gets pretty hot in that area during the summer, spring would be the best time to visit.

Enjoy your trip!
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Apr 12, 2014
We drive this route almost yearly in spring or fall but we boondock in Escalante (in months when it's cooler). There's a RV park in Escalante along Hwy 12 that you'd fit and higher in elevation along Hwy 12 is Singletree national forest campground, previously mentioned by 4Runnerguy. It's very nice, in a pine forest, and you wouldn't need air conditioning there. Escalante has the most services along 12 except for around Bryce Nat'l Park - fuel, restaurants. It's a good place to park if you want to explore more along Hwy 12. Do go to Calf Springs. It's a beauty. The slot canyons out of Escalante are awesome. Some are short like Peek-a-Boo and Spooky, again, as mentioned by 4Runnerguy. He seems to like the places we do. :) There are plenty of RV parks in Torrey. I don't think you'd fit in Capitol Reef Nat'l Park. Hwy 24 is a cinch to drive.
bcarroll
Explorer
Apr 12, 2014
padredw wrote:
We towed our 34' fifth-wheel from Bryce to Torry on Utah 12 a few years ago and still remember it as one of our favorite drives--a highlight of the trip, and we never thought of it as being in any way difficult.

Here is one of our photos of that winding road (other views may be seen by using the NEXT and PREVIOUS buttons:

Utah 12 Scenic Drive
We just got back from that area today. We went Hwy 12, the scenic byway, and though it was very beautiful, there were some very steep grades, 12% & 14% grades.
We have a Ram 2500 V10 and it was 30mph up the steepest ones. 6% - 8% grades we have no problems with.

I love the photo of the windy road on the top of the ridge with drop offs on both sides. We tried to get the same picture, but didn't turn out as clear as yours.
Blackcell
Explorer
Mar 15, 2014
Thanks and thanks for the pics. Ok sounds not that bad just need to take it slow and easy. Yes, definitely plan on spending about a day cruising Burr Trail!
lbrjet
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
The 8% grades are a little steep but certainly not extreme. Nice wide road with very little traffic. No side of the road cliffs on Boulder mountain either. Stop at the 2nd overlook on the left near the top. Has nice view and lots of space. The 1st one is too tight. From Escalante it is worth going back on 12 to Boulder and drive the Burr trail road for a half day trip. Really stunning scenery on that part of 12 and the Burr trail.