Grand Staircase-Escalante & Scenic Byway 12 Tour

Utah
4.9 95879 ratings
Trusted by 7,000+ Shaka Guiders
14 Must-See Stops
5+ hours of Audio
3 Starting Points
One-Way Route
Half-Day Driving Tour

About The Tour

Considered one of the most scenic drives in the U.S., Utah’s Scenic Byway 12 connects two national parks and passes three state parks and Dixie National Forest, with portions running through Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument.

But that’s not all! This road trip spotlights the unique history and geology of the region. Shaka Guide’s Grand Staircase Escalante & Scenic Byway 12 tour takes you from Zion to Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef (or in reverse) with stops at hikes, overlooks, forests, parks, and quaint towns in between.

Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!

-Visit Bryce Canyon National Park for its iconic hoodoos and otherworldly landscapes that will leave you in awe.
-Stop at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park to marvel at ancient petrified wood and enjoy stunning lake views.
-Drive Hell’s Backbone Scenic Byway, a thrilling route offering jaw-dropping cliffs and panoramic vistas.
-Hike in Dixie National Forest, where towering pines and vibrant wildflowers create the perfect escape into nature.
-Explore the charming town of Torrey, Utah, a gateway to Capitol Reef National Park with local art and cozy eateries.
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Grand Staircase-Escalante & Scenic Byway 12 Tour Map

Explore Tour Map

Meet the Creators

Satauna Howery

Narrator

I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.

Grand Staircase-Escalante & Scenic Byway 12 Tour FAQS

Inclusions/Exclusions

Inclusions:

  • More than a map and directions — your tour, fully guided
  • Audio storytelling that plays as you drive
  • Music and immersive sound to upgrade your drive
  • Human-created, professionally narrated tours
  • Pre-planned route with turn-by-turn directions
  • Itinerary mapped out with must-see stops
  • Expert travel tips
  • Offline access – works without data or wifi
  • Flexible, self-paced experience
  • One purchase per vehicle (not per person)
  • Lifetime access (tours never expire)
  • Reliable customer support

Exclusions:

  • Private transportation (use your own or rental vehicle)
  • Meals
  • Attraction admission or park entrance fees
  • Parking fees
  • Live tour guide or in-person services
  • Trip planning or booking services
  • Fully customizable navigation like Google or Apple Maps
  • On-demand route planning or custom directions
  • Open-ended navigation tools
Know Before You Go

Tour FAQs

1. Where does the Grand Staircase Escalante & Scenic Byway 12 Tour go?

This tour has 31 stops. Check out the itinerary here for a complete list of stops and if you’re looking for more information to help plan your trip, here’s what you need to know before you go!

2. What should I pack for the Grand Staircase Escalante & Scenic Byway 12 Tour?

Phone charger
Phone mount for car
Hiking Shoes (if hiking)
Water Bottle
Bug Spray
Sunscreen
Sunglasses and/or hat
Snacks
Cash
America the Beautiful Pass (if visiting National Parks)

3. What should I budget for the Grand Staircase Escalante & Scenic Byway 12 Tour?

Moqui Cave entrance fee - $5-$10 per person

Zion National Park - $35 per vehicle

Bryce Canyon National Park - $35 per vehicle

Capitol Reef National Park - $35 per vehicle

Kodachrome Basin State Park -  $5 per vehicle

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park - $10 per vehicle

Lodging along route - $100-$300 per night (average)

4. What are the park hours for the Grand Staircase Escalante & Scenic Byway 12 Tour?

The tour stops have seasonal hours of operation. The site’s facilities and restaurants also have varying hours of operation.
Moqui Cave: 9 AM - 7 PM (closed on Sunday)
Red Canyon State Park Hours
Bryce Canyon City Hours
Kodachrome Basin State Park Hours
Escalante Petrified Forest State Park Hours

5. Can I join the Grand Staircase Escalante & Scenic Byway 12 Tour along the tour route?

Yes! The tour has two starting points: Kanab to Torrey (Zion National Park to Capitol Reef National Park) and vice versa. Just make sure that you follow the numbers in chronological order from where you are starting.
If you don’t begin at one of the tour starting points you’ll miss a few stories, but you’ll still have a great experience.

6. Can I take the Grand Staircase Escalante & Scenic Byway 12 Tour in the opposite direction?

Yes, the tour goes in 2 directions:
North (Torrey) to South (Kanab)
South (Kanab) to North (Torrey)

7. Other Questions? Contact us!

Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.

What is an Audio Tour Guide?

Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here’s how it works:

GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.

Reviews

4.9 95879 Ratings

Pinky&Dennis Hordyk

We had 8 of us in a big van for our day at Arches National Park and we loved having Shaka as our guide. We were all very pleased that the tour was so informative while not having too much in...

JulietAlphaSierra

My wife and I first used this app in 2017 during our honeymoon in Kauai and it was super helpful and entertaining. Now in 2026 we’re touring all 5 national parks in Utah and it’s as good as...

US indian foodie

Absolutely a must have for the parks so far! Loved it and highly recommend using for all Utah parks!

Rollypollymama

Very informative and accurate GPS tracking. We did the Utah loop and Escalante & Bypass 12 tour. You have a personal tour guide that goes on at your pace. Looking forward to many more trips...

Briicabtthunk

We used Shaka guide for Hawái and Utah and it was amazing. Shaka guide added insight about landmarks that we passed and really made us immersed in the expierence.

Cap'n Buckeye

We started with Shaka on The Big Island… then Kauai, Maui, and Oahu. Then Utah Mighty Five , Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, etc. Shaka is the formula for us & a great trip. I take ca...

Laura Lanning

We discovered Shaka in Kauai and enjoyed everything about it, we have done Maui and the big Island and just started in Utah and Wyoming. I recommend this to everyone I talk to about road tri...

C. Mabli

My family has used Shaka Guide in Arizona, California, Washington, Utah and Virginia. We enjoy the history and the helpful hints in each park. We recommend the audio tours to all our fellow...

Marksarahmom

Well worth it! Don’t hesitate to purchase these. Amazingly informative and worth every penny. We bought the tours for the Mighty Five parks in Utah. But, we will definitely be investing in a...

Wonder and Wander

The guides are a true gem. I’ve used them in Hawaii (Oahu and the Big Island), California (Yosemite), Arizona (Grand Canyon), and Utah (Capitol Reef, Grand Staircase, and Bryce Canyon). They...

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Grand Staircase-Escalante & Scenic Byway 12 Tour $ 12.99  ·  4.9 (95879)