Overall Route Rating
speedo-meter speedo-arrow
speedo-meter-grey
4.82 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.82
28 Reviews

Mexican Hat to Bryce Canyon

Motorcycle Route Author

profile Image
By Guest (0 McR Points) on Jun 30, 2007

Rider Reviews

See All Rider Reviews
No Image Found
steben53
15 McR Points
April 27, 2012
In my comments on the Grand Staircase Escalante…
Read More
Thumbsup
No Image Found
MotoForever
July 8, 2014
OMG, did this trip in early June 2014. Wow, one…
Read More
Thumbsup

Written Directions

You can do this route either way from east to west or west to east. We suggest the east to west route which starts in Mexican Hat, Utah just north of Monument Valley. From Mexican Hat, head north for about 3 miles, turn left onto SR-261. After about 10 miles you will pass the road to the Valley of the Gods (another great 19 mile adventure). The road turns to hard packed gravel at this point and will ascend 1200 feet in 3 miles. Lots of switchbacks, fantastic views. At the top of the cliff the road goes back to asphalt and is a great mountain road. SR-261 will "T" into route 95 where you want to take a left (west) and take this all the way into Hanksville, UT. From there you need to switch to route 24 heading west (take a left). Take route 24 all the way to Torrey, UT. If you want to break up the trip into two days, this is where we suggest you stay as there are many great Bed & Breakfast to stay at. From Torrey, you want to take route 12 south. Route 12 is a US Scenic Byway and is something beyond belief. Route 12 will take you through Boulder, UT and on to Bryce Canyon, UT.

Scenery

"We made this trip in late April and May and it is one of the best trips we haveever made. Fall would also be a great time. Make reservations near Bryce and Torrey and in Mexican Hat. All get busy and Torrey and Mexican Hat have limited places to stay. No worries about fuel on this route.": Lynn & Peti Fantastic high country of Utah. Big trees, wide open ranges, huge canyons, red rock views. This whole trip is like stepping back into the 1950's and is one for your scrapbook. You travel through some absolutly breathtaking national forests such as Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and finally Bryce Canyon National Park.

Drive Enjoyment

Great two lane roads, little traffic, fantastic climbing and descending turns and switchbacks. Part of SR 261 is hard packed gravel. My wife and I on two H-D's did just fine. THIS ROAD IS A MUST DO!!!.

Tourism Opportunities

Mexican Hat is fantastic with the "Swinging Grill" restaurant. You'll pass through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. And you'll be passing through Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. In Torrey, you will want to visit the general store there as it has home made Mexican food and a good selection of goodies. Finally, Bryce Canyon has the best hotel in the state with the best restaurant both are about 10 miles outside of the park. And, at the end point of Bryce Canyon, you'll obviously have to thoroughly check out Bryce Canyon National Park while you are there.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
 

Top Images

View All Add Photo Add Video
Share Your Comments ( 28 )
  Earn McR Points
Write a review
No Image Found
steben53
April 27, 2012
15 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
In my comments on the Grand Staircase Escalante ride I mentioned that it was a great idea to continue on to Mexican Hat and then here it is!! This ride is the whole enchilada and and having ridden everything from Blue Ridge Pkwy and the Dragon to Beartooth Pass and the Trinity Alps ( and the real Alps too) I can say with complete confidence that there are few rides that compare to this ride across southern Utah. You will not be dissappointed!! Plan on getting up early and doing a full day - there's just too many Koadachrome moments to get through any faster. Please note: This is another one of those rides that has to be done in both directions to fully appreciate. It's simply awesome. Unless you want to stay at Ruby's at Bryce, Id recommend going another 30 minutes to Panguitch - the hotels are much cheaper and there's a great little BBQ place on the west side of the main drag. Highly recommended! And in the morning, get up and ride it back the other way!
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
9 riders found this road review useful
No Image Found
MotoForever
July 8, 2014
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
OMG, did this trip in early June 2014. Wow, one of my favorite rides. There is really too much to mention for this ride. We travelled West to East and it was fantastic. Some say the views may be better from the other direction. I say, either way is great. Stop at the overlooks at the East of the Grand Escalante-Staircase (hwy 12) south of Torrey. Make sure to plan PLENTY of stops just to see the sights. You can't see it all, so plan where you want to spend time. We split this ride into two days with a stop over in Torrey. The views just riding through are awe inspiring. Moki Dugway (just to say you did it), Bridges NM is a 1 hr jaunt. Stay in Torrey, and eat at the Capital Reef Inn and Cafe. Fantastic food, we saw a few riders there too. The amazing petroglyphs at Capital Reef NM were easy to see with no walking required. Road conditions are excellent. Bring lots of water. Better yet, use a hydration pack to drink while riding. Be prepared for cooler air on the passes and hot and dry in the valleys.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
7 riders found this road review useful
No Image Found
Rigid
May 9, 2012
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
We rode this route west to east, on our Harleys, May 1, 2012. It was a perfect day with great roads and scenery culminating with a fantastic steak at the Mexican Hat Inn swinging grill. Too bad five stars is the limit because I'd rate it a 10 if possible.
As an alternative to the described route, we took Highway 276 South from 95 to Bullfrog, ferried across Lake Powell to Hall's Crossing and then 276 North to rejoin Hwy 95. Good road and nice scenery riding though Glen Canyon as well.
Can't wait to ride this again! Next time both ways.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
6 riders found this road review useful