Scenic Drives

calienteBoulder Mountain Lodge is located on National Scenic Byway 12, which is Utah’s first “All American Road.”  Highway 12 has also been selected by Car and Driver magazine as one of the ten most scenic highways in America. The lodge is also at the base of the Burr Trail Scenic Backway and near many other extraordinarily beautiful drives.

Scenic Byway 12
Enjoy the scenic turnouts and spurs from these routes, which provide access to many of the outstanding recreational spots within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. (Paved road, open all year)

Hell's Backbone Road
Although this is not a designated scenic backway, Hell's Backbone Road is one of the most dramatic roads in the world. The road makes a loop connecting Escalante with Highway 12, three miles west of Boulder. From the Posey Lake Scenic Backway, Hell's Backbone heads east, passes Blue Spruce Campground and circles the Box Death Hollow Wilderness Area. Hell's Backbone Bridge is an engineering feat.  Distance 44 miles (1-1/2 hours).  Closed in the winter.  
(Gravel and dirt road - high clearance vehicles recommended)

Burr Trail Scenic Backway
Beautiful scenery can be found around every turn.  Features access to Deer Creek Recreation Site, Long Canyon, Capitol Reef  National Park, Lake Powell and Bullfrog Marina.  Distance 77 miles (2 hours). (Hard surfaced, grated dirt and gravel road)

Cottonwood Canyon Road Scenic Backway
A photographer's dream. Features: Kodachrome Basin State Park (camping and picnicking facilities), Grosvenor Arch, Cockscomb, Paria River and views of Bryce Canyon National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Table Cliffs Plateau. Distance 49 miles (2 hours). 
(Hard surfaced, some paved portions, graded dirt and gravel road. Paved to Kodachrome State Park.)

Hole-in-the-Rock Scenic Backway
Step back in time and travel the route that Mormon pioneers took on their historic journey to the San Juan country. Access is provided to Devil's Rock Garden,  Dance Hall Rock, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Hole-in-the-Rock and  several desert hiking trailheads. Last five miles requires a high clearance vehicle. Distance 56 miles one-way (6 hours round-trip) (Gravel and graded dirt road)

For more scenic backways & byways in the surrounding areas...

NOTE:  Road conditions can change at any time. When it is raining, many roads become impassable, even in four wheel drive vehicles.  Check with our front office before traveling on any back road or trail.