Forum Discussion

tmaxx's avatar
tmaxx
Explorer
Jan 02, 2015

Utah Scenic byway 12 in large RV

We are taking a trip to Utah this June. As part of our trip we will be staying in Goblin state park in Utah. Next we would travelling to Zion and Bryce Canyon. I am debating whether to take the interstate (I-70 to I-15) from Goblin to Zion or whether to take the scenic byway 12. My concern with taking 12 is that I have a 31' RV towing a car and my parents have a 38' motorhome towing a vehicle as well. My parents are concerned that route 12 would be too difficult to travel with their rig compared to the interstate. Can anyone else who has travelled this route in an RV (preferably a larger RV) add your opinion on the terrain and how difficult it is to travel?
Thanks.
Roads and Routes

18 Replies

Sort By
Show More
  • Lauren's avatar
    Lauren
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2015
    You will get all kinds of answers here. Same with any posting regarding mountain driving. It depends on your skill and personal comfort with it. I certainly would not recommend it with pretty much any RV....steep and tight turns and unguarded dropoffs. I find that, many times, people who say go ahead - on here or anyplace else - are the same people you meet coming against you taking their half out of the middle.
  • SrFoxmexico's avatar
    SrFoxmexico
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2015
    Take your time and do it. The roads are good and the scenery stunning. I have done it many times and each trip is fantastic!
  • Bull_Rider's avatar
    Bull_Rider
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2015
    We went through there pulling a 30' bumper pull. Steep short grades, and some tight turns. Exceedingly beautiful drive, one of the top 10 for scenery, just awesome.

    I wouldn't recommend this route unless you're comfortable with drop offs and twisty up and down roads.

    If you make the trip, please post back.
  • Dr_Quick's avatar
    Dr_Quick
    Explorer II
    Jan 02, 2015
    We took Hwy 12 in 2009 with a 28 ft 5th and I agree with "hwybnb", if mountain driving stress you, then is not the road to be on. Probably more stressful on the passenger as they are at the road edge of the drop offs to the side.
    It is a very scenic drive. As an alternative, park the motor home and take the toad for a day trip to take in the scenery.
  • harley-dave's avatar
    harley-dave
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2015
    Also, when visiting Zion, find an RV spot outside the canyon park the RV and drive the toad in. The place is normally packed with people and cars. plus with the RV you will have to wait and pay to get through the tunnel. (both ways)

    Dave
  • hwybnb's avatar
    hwybnb
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2015
    The answer to your question is very subjective. If your rig has good grade-climbing power and if narrow, winding mountain roads do not stress you then it can be a spectacular trip that you will enjoy.

    We did it several years ago in a 30' gasser towing a Ford Explorer. We were a bit under-powered but I thought it was neat. The wife says "never again".
  • trailertraveler's avatar
    trailertraveler
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2015
    From Goblin Valley take UT-24 West to the Capitol Reef National Park and the Torrey area. From there you can explore the Burr Trail, Fishlake Scenic Byway, Anasazi State Park and other attractions on the Eastern side of the UT-12 Scenic Byway in your toad.

    From Torrey continue West on UT-24. Take the left onto Browns Lane at the sign that says to Koosharem. Turn left onto UT-62 and follow it to US-89 South. Take US-89 South to UT-12 and Bryce Canyon National Park. From Bryce you can explorer the Western end of UT-12 and visit Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, and Calf Creek Falls.

    This route is a little longer, but in my opinion less stressful than UT-12 and will allow to see much more than you would see by just driving through on UT-12 with the RV.

    Hope you have a Great Trip!!!!
  • accsys's avatar
    accsys
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2015
    We did it in 2011 with our 40' coach and no problems whatsoever. There are a few grades but all doable and the road, while two-lane, is plenty wide for a large MH pulling a toad. We have over 50 pictures of the trip on our blog if you would like to peruse them.

About Bucket List Trips

13,487 PostsLatest Activity: Jun 03, 2020