Highway 89 Practically Runs Through All Of Utah And It's A Beautiful Drive
By Courtnie Erickson|Updated on April 27, 2024(Originally published September 27, 2022)
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
Interstate 15 is the most popular way to travel through Utah. From St. George to the Idaho state line, this road truly takes you from one end of the state to the other. But, there is another road that practically runs through all of the Beehive State and is much more scenic. Highway 89 takes you through small towns, past historic buildings, and to incredible geological sites. If you want to see what Utah truly has to offer, this scenic highway is it.
Highway 89 is also known as the Utah Heritage Highway. This road lets you experience some of Utah’s history, culture, and heritage all in a scenic drive.
While this highway practically runs throughout the entire state, for this particular scenic drive, we will only travel north until the highway merges with Highway 6 near Spanish Fork.
If you are traveling north, you’ll begin your drive right along the Utah and Arizona state line and in the small town of Kanab.
If you have never spent time in Kanab, make sure you stop and stay for a while. The downtown area is one of the most charming in the entire state and this town is home to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the entire country.
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As you continue north, you’ll travel through small towns like Panguitch, an excellent destination for a small town getaway.
Panguitch is another small town where you can stay for a while. Take the short drive to Panguitch Lake or travel Scenic Byway 12, one of the most popular scenic drives in Utah. You can also explore the Arches Trail, a family-friendly hike in the nearby Red Canyon.
Highway 89 will also take you to Big Rock Candy Mountain, just outside of Marysvale. This is one of the most recognized geological sites in Central Utah. Here, you can visit the resort, go on a hike, or just stop and admire the unique scenery.
As you continue north on Highway 89, you’ll come to some of the most charming small towns with peak pioneer vibes. Manti, Ephraim, Moroni, and even Fairview all deserve your time for exploring.
Spring City is a small town with approximately 1,000 residents and another must-visit stop on this drive. This small town is home to dozens of historic buildings and is considered one of the best-preserved examples of a nineteenth-century pioneer village.
You can drive around Spring City or just walk the streets to admire its unique architecture and historic buildings. This entire town is on the National Register of Historic Places and it’s charming in every way.
So, the next time you wish to head north or south in the Beehive State, why not take Highway 89? It’s a scenic drive that’s certainly worth exploring!
Have you ever driven Hwy 89 in its entirety in Utah? What are some of your favorite stops along this route? Let us know in the comments! And, if you are searching for even more scenic drives to take in the Beehive State, check out these 13 scenic drives that are incredibly beautiful!
Of course, if you are planning a road trip or a long drive on one of the best scenic drives in Utah, you must be prepared. Check out our ultimate road trip packing list before you go!
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