To get to Bryce Canyon from the west side, you travel through the spectacular Red Canyon on Route 12. You're surrounded by the odd-shaped rocks called hoodoos, formed from the the brilliant Red Navajo Sandstone. Enjoy the ride through and keep in mind that it's a pleasant teaser to what you'll experience a few miles ahead in Bryce.

The surrounding pictures were taken in Red Canyon.

The Snake River winds along the side of Route 14 in southwest Utah near Cedar City.

Route 14 east from Cedar City is a spectacular drive. It reaches an elevation of 9910 feet with breath-taking views along the way. During the fall, autumn-colored leaves are in abundance along the route and are especially colorful in an area of Route 14 where black rock from a long-ago lava flow mingles in with the trees (Right).

Highway 9 west leaving Zion Natl Park

Highway 9 west leaving Zion Natl Park

Off Route 9 in the small town of Virgin is Kolob Terrace Road, which leads to the Kolob Reservoir. While the reservoir itself is nothing particularly exciting, the drive there is worth the journey. It borders Zion Natl Park, and in fact, the road weaves in and out of the park, so a lot of the landscape is very much like that found in the park.

The next few shots were taken on this road.

A lookout on Kolob Terrace Road offered this view. The smoke is from a planned fire in the area.

Another out of the way place that seemed to be nestled away on an off road is Red Cliff Recreation Area. It's just west of Interstate 15 in southern Utah north of St. George. There's something captivating about the red Navajo sandstone that can be found in much of this region. The next few shots were taken in the Red Cliff Rec. Area.

There are several old cars and trucks sitting around in the small town of Bluff, Utah, in the southeast corner of the state. Not sure of the stories behind them, so I just made up my own.

Taken on Highway 95 between Natural Bridges Natl Monument and Bluff, UT.

An amusing (to me, anyway) road sign south of Bluff, on Highway 191. Perhaps if it had said "Fallen rock," it would have been more accurate.

This is overlooking the San Juan Canyon from Muley Point, which is atop Cedar Mesa in southeastern Utah and is reached via the Moki Dugway, part of Utah's Route 261. Looking south you can see Monument Valley in the far background, some 20 miles away.

The Moki Dugway is a part of Utah State Highway 261 that ascends Cedar Mesa, climbing some 2100 feet by way of a series of switchbacks. Once at the top, a five-mile unpaved road will take you to Muley Point where panoramic views of Monument Valley and the San Juan Canyon can be seen. The following few pictures were taken from and of the Moki Dugway.

Above and Right: taken from Muley Point. Above you can see Monument Valley in the distance.

The Navajo Twin Rocks in Bluff, Utah

Comb Ridge in Bluff is as unique a restaurant as they come. The main seating area is outdoor with tables nicely spaced around the walls and a huge cottonwood tree in the middle of the "room." At night, the ambiance is astonishing, with lots of lights and chandeliers over a few of the tables. The food? Oh yes, also a few unique items, all of it delicious.

The San Juan River meanders through southeastern Utah.

Taken in the town of Bluff, in front of the Cottonwood RV Park

In Bluff, the twin rocks tower over the Bluff Trading Post and restaurant. If one is interested in seeing more beautiful sandstone rock formations, continue driving past the trading post on Twin Rocks Road. It says it's a dead-end road, but there is a place to turn around at the end. This and the picture to the above left were taken there. I included the picture on the left because, looking closely, I see the image of a face. I've decided it's a young girl's face.

Sand Island is located only a few miles southwest of Bluff, and it isn't actually an island. But it lies on the banks of the San Juan River, making it an excellent launching spot for boating to Mexican Hat, 27 miles away. Two other interesting features (pictures below) include a panel of petroglyphs and a river trail (called the Bluff River Trail) that somewhat parallels the San Juan. There is also a campground and a picnic area.

Goosenecks State Park, also a part of the Bears Ears National Monument, is not too much more than a high, flat plateau with scattered dry camping sites. But 1000 feet down from the plateau is where the awesomeness is. The San Juan River meanders seemingly endlessly in numerous switchbacks, having been carved out over the thousands of years by natural forces. Goosenecks is located off Highway 163 roughly between Mexican Hat and Valley of the Gods.

Mexican Hat is a small town on Highway 163 so called for the rock formation which can be seen in the distance. Perhaps someone at some point thought it looked like a Mexican hat. Or, possibly, over the years, the 'hat' has been reconstructed by natural causes. At any rate, a dirt road leads to the formation for a closer look. The population of Mexican Hat is well under 100 people.

The San Juan River runs through the small town of Mexican Hat.

Here are more photos of the Moki Dugway. Not mentioned in the caption above is that the 2100-ft climb is done in only three miles, making the switchbacks at an 11 percent grade. We didn't stop at any pullovers this trip, so my travel partners shared their photos with me.

This section of Highway 95 heading toward Blanding, a scenic byway and part of the "Trail of the Ancients" offers stunning views. My travel partners and I stopped at a pullover just before the big curve through a highway cutout and looked out over a valley of cottonwoods which, most likely, has a name.It's on the very eastern edge of the Bears Ears National Monument.

Another Utah highlight that is not a national park is the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. Whereas they don't always appear a true coral pink color, most likely in a certain light, they put on a pink cast. The color comes from the iron oxide in the sandstone from which the dunes are formed as they are funneled through a notch in two mountains. The sand is shifting everyday, creating new forms. The park is located west of Kanab.