---
id: "100020"
name: Johnson Canyon/Alton Amphitheater Scenic Backway
distance: "48.1"
duration: 2 hours to drive, 1 day to explore
description: Johnson Canyon offers a peaceful and scenic drive through striking landscapes that appeared in several Hollywood films. Many of the points of interest are on private property but remain visible from the road. Binoculars are useful for viewing Native American and cowboy rock art along the canyon walls.
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organization:
  - url: https://www.visitsouthernutah.com/johnson-canyon/
    name: Johnson Canyon Driving Tour
websites:
  - url: https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/cities-and-towns/kanab/johnson-canyon-road
    name: Utah Travel Guide
  - url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvwZEnASXhA
    name: Video by AdventureEveryDay
attractions:
  - url: https://trucenow.com/alton-utah/
    name: Alton
  - url: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/16439
    name: Crocodile / Hog Canyon Trailhead
  - url: https://dyeclan.com/outdooractivities/funplaces/?page=eagle-gate-arch
    name: Eagle Gate Arch
  - url: https://www.naturalarches.org/BobsArches/EagleArch.html
    name: Eagle Gate Arch Viewpoint
  - url: https://www.welcometoglendaleut.com/
    name: Glendale
  - url: https://www.welcometoglendaleut.com/2019/03/20/the-glendale-bench-road/
    name: Glendale Bench Road
  - url: https://dyeclan.com/outdooractivities/funplaces/?page=johnson-canyon-petroglyphs
    name: Indian Writings and Cowboy Glyphs
  - url: https://www.visitsouthernutah.com/johnson-canyon/
    name: Johnson Canyon Road
  - url: https://westoverfamilyhistory.org/the-town-of-johnson/
    name: Johnson Cemetery
  - url: https://www.beyondmycouch.com/2022/02/montezuma-mines.html
    name: Montezuma Cave
  - url: https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/utah/nephi-pasture-road-blm556-k3600
    name: Nephi Pasture 4WD Trailhead
  - url: https://www.visitsouthernutah.com/attractions/gunsmoke-movie-set/
    name: Old Gunsmoke Movie Set
  - url: https://dyeclan.com/outdooractivities/funplaces/?page=johnson-canyon-pioneer-billboard
    name: Pioneer Billboard and Indian Writings
  - url: https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/utah/skutumpah-road
    name: Skutumpah Road
  - url: https://www.mindat.org/feature-5547911.html
    name: Swapp Canyon
  - url: https://dyeclan.com/outdooractivities/funplaces/?page=lions-head-arch
    name: The Lion's Head Viewpoint
designations:
  - Utah State Scenic Backway
states:
  - UT
ll:
  - -112.36712646401459
  - 37.037227328431015
bounds:
  - - -112.59762
    - 37.037227328431015
  - - -112.347109
    - 37.44632

---

Johnson Canyon Road offers a scenic drive through the colorful cliffs and open landscapes of the Grand Staircase region, with highlights including the old Gunsmoke film set about five miles from Highway 89, whose weathered buildings can still be viewed from the road despite being on private land. The route passes quiet farms, grazing fields, and dramatic White Cliffs rising above juniper and sage-covered terrain, with numerous pullouts and side roads providing opportunities for photography, exploring remote backcountry scenery, and mountain biking on accessible two-track trails.

Popular with families seeking a comfortable way to experience the region’s rugged beauty, the route is also especially favored by motorcyclists because of its light traffic and long, peaceful stretches through the canyon landscape.