Garfield: Hoodoos, Scenic Byway 12, and Pueblo History

Scenic Byway 12 runs through Garfield County, connecting Bryce Canyon National Park with Capitol Reef National Park. Along the way, the route passes through high-desert plateaus, red-rock canyons, hoodoos, and alpine forests. More than a dozen key information and interpretive sites line the byway. Garfield County provides access to nearly a dozen national and state parks and forest areas.

Hoodoos, Canyons, and Open Landscapes

In the Bryce Amphitheater, irregularly eroded rock spires called hoodoos rise up. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument covers nearly 1.9 million acres of cliffs, canyons, plateaus, and badlands. Landforms also vary across the wider area: Devil's Garden in Garfield County features sandstone formations such as hoodoos and natural arches.

Kodachrome Basin State Park in Garfield County is home to 67 towering sandstone pipes, rising up to 170 feet above the ground. Another natural attraction can be found in the Henry Mountains in eastern Garfield County: they are home to the only free-roaming, huntable herd of American bison in the 48 contiguous U.S. states. The region's landscapes range from striking rock formations to a distinctive herd of wildlife.

Scenic Byway 12 and Hiking

For a road trip, Scenic Byway 12 provides a thread through Garfield County. The route connects two national parks and is lined with information and interpretive sites. The main access to Devil's Garden is via the unpaved Hole-in-the-Rock Road. It begins about five miles east of Escalante, at its junction with Scenic Byway 12. Weather can affect road conditions; check them before you set out.

Hikes also offer a variety of experiences. The developed Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail is a six-mile loop to a 126-foot waterfall. Seasonal heat and conditions at the time affect the difficulty. By contrast, the Petrified Forest Trail in Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is a moderately challenging 1.1-mile loop with views of the reservoir, as well as petrified wood and wildflowers. Hiking is encouraged as a recreational activity in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Wide Hollow Reservoir borders Escalante Petrified Forest State Park; fishing and swimming are possible nearby.

Archaeology and History

In Garfield County, Anasazi State Park Museum includes the Coombs Site, an Ancestral Puebloan village inhabited from about 1050 to 1200 CE. The Coombs Site includes a partially restored kiva and a fully reconstructed six-room dwelling. The approximate date range places the settlement in context; the different states of preservation give the visit an archaeological focus alongside the region's natural attractions and scenic routes.

Find a Hotel for Your Trip to Garfield

When looking for a hotel in Garfield, you can start by deciding whether Scenic Byway 12, a particular hike, or an archaeological visit will be the focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Bryce Canyon, Panguitch, Tropic, Hatch, Boulder, Cannonville, Ticaboo, Escalante, Henrieville

View the main travel overview: Utah.