---
id: "2013"
name: Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway (U-128)
distance: "44"
duration: 1 hour to drive, 1 day to explore
description: Cutting through the red rock gorge of the Colorado River, this route offers a panoramic view of the LaSal Mountains, whose snow-capped peaks rise in vivid contrast to the red rock sandstone typical of this canyon country.
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organization:
  - url: https://www.discovermoab.com/scenic-byway-u-128/
    name: Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway (U-128)
websites:
  - url: https://www.thearmchairexplorer.com/utah/upper-colorado-scenic-byway.php
    name: The Armchair Explorer
  - url: https://www.utah.com/things-to-do/scenic-drives/highway-128-colorado-river-scenic-byway/
    name: Utah.com Travel Site
  - url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_State_Route_128
    name: Wikipedia
attractions:
  - url: https://www.gjhikes.com/2013/02/amphitheater-loop.html
    name: Amphitheater Loop
  - url: https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105716862/big-bend-bouldering-area
    name: Big Bend Bouldering Area
  - url: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/16714
    name: Big Bend Recreation Site
  - url: https://www.summitpost.org/castleton-tower/151527
    name: Castleton Tower
  - url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cisco,_Utah
    name: Cisco Ghost Town
  - url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher_Towers
    name: Fisher Towers
  - url: https://www.gjhikes.com/2015/10/fisher-towers.html
    name: Fisher Towers Trail
  - url: https://www.gjhikes.com/2015/10/negro-bill-canyonmorning-glory-arch.html
    name: Grandstaff Hiking Trail
  - url: https://eileenmuza.org/
    name: Home of the Brave
  - url: https://www.sorrelriver.com/eat-drink/jjs-mercantile/
    name: JJ's Mercantile
  - url: https://www.blm.gov/visit/lower-onion-creek-campground
    name: Lower Onion Creek Campground
  - url: https://www.moabhorses.com/
    name: Moab Horses at Hauer Ranch
  - url: https://moabmfwh.com/
    name: Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage
  - url: https://www.gjhikes.com/2015/10/professor-creek.html
    name: Professor Creek Trail
  - url: https://www.redcliffslodge.com/
    name: Red Cliffs Lodge
  - url: https://www.utah.com/destinations/cities-towns/moab/things-to-do/mountain-biking/slickrock-moab-bike-trails/
    name: Slickrock Bike Trail
  - url: https://www.summitpost.org/the-rectory/191891
    name: The Rectory
designations:
  - Utah State Scenic Byway
states:
  - UT
ll:
  - -109.57574865679916
  - 38.60154825551675
bounds:
  - - -109.57574865679916
    - 38.58175000000001
  - - -109.302859
    - 38.97036111111111
books: "978-1426219054"

---

This spectacular route along the Colorado River gorge will take you to natural red rock formations, world famous movie locations, beautiful picnic and bouldering areas, a large variety of hiking trails, historical points of interest, horseback riding opportunities, outdoor dining, and a ghost town. The route offers a panoramic view of the LaSal Mountains, whose snow-capped peaks rise in vivid contrast to the red rock sandstone typical of this canyon country.

The highway was originally constructed to connect rural cities in eastern Utah with Grand Junction, Colorado, the largest city in the region. Today, the highway is used as a scenic drive for visitors to the area.