Scenic Byway of Highway 128

Welcome, traveler, to the beginning of one of the most visually arresting drives in the American West: Utah’s Scenic Byway 128. We begin our journey here at the junction of Highway 191, just north of the bustling outdoor hub of…

As we commit fully to the first few miles of Highway 128, the defining characteristic of our environment is absolute enclosure. The canyon walls here pinch tightly together, forming a magnificent, sheer-walled corridor. …

We now arrive at a notable intersection of geography and recreation: the vicinity of Grandstaff Canyon. Here, the sheer walls of the main gorge recede slightly, making room for a significant side canyon that drains a massive area…

As the canyon walls draw back even further, we enter a sweeping, dramatic bend in the river that houses the historic Red Cliffs Lodge. This specific area represents a unique convergence of agricultural history, modern recreation,…

Prepare yourself for a dramatic perceptual shift. As we crest a slight rise and the confining walls of the gorge finally fall away, we emerge into the staggering, expansive grandeur of Professor Valley. …

As we continue our transit through the expansive Professor Valley, the highway skirts the edge of another spectacular geological depression: Castle Valley. While the road does not physically descend into it, the views from the…

Our journey along Highway 128 approaches a critical historical and geographical juncture as we arrive at the site of the Dewey Bridge. For decades, this location represented the only viable crossing of the Colorado River for…

As Highway 128 finally merges with the fast-moving, utilitarian concrete of Interstate 70, the profound isolation and scenic density of our journey abruptly ends. It is a jarring transition, a sudden return to the speed and…