Scenic Drives
Explore back roads and scenic areas
The byways and backways of Northeastern Utah are stunning routes through intense scenery. The high plateau of the Wyoming desert, the forested peaks and slopes of the Uintah Mountains - miles and miles of this can be explored by road.
The bright rocks and strange formations of Flaming Gorge, dinosaur quarries, tall pines, historic sites and ancient petroglyphs are all accessible by the byways and backways listed below. Click on any name for more information.
Departing from Diamond Mountain Plateau on the Jones Hole Scenic Backway, this backway travels north across Diamond Mountain, down Crouse Canyon, and into Browns Park. It continues into Colorado, crossing the Green River via a one-vehicle-at-a-time suspension bridge. A short side trip takes you to the John Jarvie Historic Site, a preserved remnant of the frontier west. Before ending at US 191 five miles north of Dutch John, the backway passes through the narrow, winding and steep Jessie Ewing Canyon. Approximately 50 miles, the backway requires two hours travel time. This route is closed in winter months and should not be traveled during the heavy rain.
Stretching across Utah and Colorado, this national scenic byway passes through some of the world's most significant dinosaur fossil quarries and museums in the world. Covering over 512 miles, it includes two national parks (Arches and Canyonlands), two national monuments (Dinosaur and Colorado), as well as both the Colorado and Green Rivers. Along with the dinosaur resources on the route, you'll find some of the oldest art in the world at McConkie Ranch, Canyon Pintado, and Nine-Mile Canyon. With high mountains, barren plateaus, deserts, rivers, cities and small towns, the Diamond is a national treasure right in our own backyard.
Running between Vernal and Manila on US Highway 191 and Utah Highway 44, the Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway climbs foothills and major geological formations, reaching the one billion year old exposed core of the Uinta Mountains near Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Theme "Wildlife Through the Ages," the byway features 4 nature trails. Throughout the byway, interpretive pullouts and geological signs explain the evolution of the area's geology and wildlife, both past and present. Enjoy the spectacular view from Red Canyon Overlook. Take the guided tour of the 502-foot high Flaming Gorge Dam. Whatever you do, bring your camera!
Stretching southwest of US Highway 191 from Duchesne, this route follows Indian Creek through desert terrain before climbing to the summit of Indian Creek Pass at 9,1000 feet. On the way, you pass unique displays of rock formations and vegetation, from pinyon and juniper to aspen and Douglas fir. Descending the south flank, you pass open vistas and the beginning of the Roan and Book Cliff formations. The byway is 47 miles long and ends in the historic mining town of Helper. Driving time is approximately one hour.
This route begins four miles east of Vernal, climbing 2,600 feet to Diamond Mountain Plateau. From there it travels east toward Jones Hole National Fish Hatchery, dropping dramatically into a narrow, rugged canyon with spectacular colorful cliffs. After visiting the hatchery, walk over to Jones Hole following Jones Creek down the canyon. This four-mile trail, packed with Fremont Indian pictographs, lush streamside vegetation, and spectacular rock walls rising hundreds of feet above the canyon wall, is part of Dinosaur National Monument. All in all, its an 80 mile round trip, holding secrets of Dinosaurland worth every bit of the 2 hour drive. Higher elevation portions of the route may be impassable in winter.
Home to what is believed to be the greatest concentration of Fremont Indian Rock Art in the world, Nine-Mile Canyon is famous for its petroglyphs (carvings) and pictographs (paintings) of animals, hunting scenes and classic trapezoidal figures. This scenic backway highlights buff-colored canyon cliffs, balanced rocks, window arches, ancient cliff granaries, and a deserted saloon. Enjoyed best as an all-day outing, the backway is 80 miles long. The road is mostly unpaved, but well graded. Although not recommended for vehicles longer than 22 feet, a passenger car can make it easily, except during the most severe weather. With no gas stations or convenience stores along the route, Nine-Mile Canyon remains a real western frontier experience.
Views of towering mountains highlight this route accessed 14 miles north of Vernal from US 191. The byway travels through aspen groves, open meadows, lodge pole forests, and numerous fishing streams. Stop and explore the Fremont Indian rock art at McConkie Ranch. Trails take you up close and personal to figures 9 feet tall. The petroglyphs are on private land. Visitors are asked to obey all signs and respect the sites. Driving time through this 45-mile route is approximately 2 hours. The road surface varies between paved and gravel. Some portions closed in winter months.
Dramatic scenery isn't the only reason to keep your camera ready on this backway. Expect to catch a glimpse or two of Utah's Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep as you wind through Sheep Creek's awe-inspiring rock spires. Beginning 15 miles west of US Hwy 191/Utah Hwy 44 intersection, Sheep Creek Loop runs for thirteen miles alongside the visually dramatic Uinta Fault. It returns to Utah Hwy 44, five miles south of Manila. Spirit Lake road is a 17-mile spur off Sheep Creek Loop, winding through forests and meadows to Spirit Lake. Returning from Spirit Lake requires backtracking to Sheep Creek Loop. The round trip covers 48 miles of paved and gravel road. Allow 2 hours travel time. The backway is closed in the winter.