The Most Spectacular Drive in North America: Utah, Scenic Byway 12 -Southbound EP. 13

Embark on the ultimate overland adventure as we navigate Utah's enchanting Scenic Byway 12 in our trusty Winnebago Revel adventure van! 🚐 Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of Red Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Escalante, and the majestic Boulder mountains. Join us on this journey of a lifetime as we uncover hidden gems along the way.
🌄 Highlights:
-Marvel at the vibrant hues of Red Canyon. Red Canyon in southern Utah is a stunning geological wonder known for its vibrant and striking red rock formations. Part of the Dixie National Forest, this canyon is often referred to as "Little Bryce Canyon" due to its similar hoodoos and intricate rock structures. The canyon is adorned with towering cliffs, unique spires, and narrow slot canyons, creating a visual feast for nature enthusiasts. Visitors can explore Red Canyon through hiking and scenic drives, immersing themselves in the captivating beauty of the high desert landscape. With its accessible trails and captivating scenery, Red Canyon is a must-visit destination along Utah's scenic byways.
-Stand in awe of Bryce Canyon's iconic hoodoos. Bryce Canyon National Park, situated in southern Utah, is a geological marvel renowned for its otherworldly landscape of intricately eroded hoodoos, fins, and spires. The park's main amphitheater, Bryce Amphitheater, is a breathtaking spectacle featuring thousands of these unique rock formations, creating a surreal and mesmerizing panorama. The red, orange, and white hues in the rock formations intensify during sunrise and sunset, casting a magical glow across the canyon.
-Discover the secrets of Escalante's scenic wonders. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) camping around Escalante, Utah, offers vanlifers a unique and remote camping experience in the stunning red rock desert landscape. The Escalante area provides dispersed camping opportunities on BLM-managed lands. Be sure to leave this area just as pristine as you found it!
-Traverse the rugged beauty of Utah's Boulder mountains.
Utah's Boulder Mountains, located in the central part of the state, offer a serene and alpine escape amid the rugged landscapes of the region. This mountain range is characterized by expansive Aspen forests, pristine alpine meadows, and high-altitude terrain.
-Bonus: Unwind at a spectacular camp spot outside Capitol Reef National Park. This is a great free camp spot to stage your adventures in Capitol Reef National Park. Coordinates to this camp are available to our Patron family. / famagogo
This video is a treasure trove of overland inspiration, offering tips and insights for fellow adventure seekers. Whether you're planning your own expedition or simply daydreaming of the open road, hit play and let the Utah magic unfold. Remember to subscribe, like, and share your thoughts in the comments below. Adventure awaits! 🏞️ #UtahOverland #ScenicByway12 #VanLifeAdventure #CapitolReefCamping #GoWhereYouFeel #WinnebagoRevel
This is part of the Southbound series where Peter and Kathy are driving the Pan-American from Dead Horse/Prudehoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina, at the very bottom of South America. This will be the road trip of a lifetime.
Please consider supporting our content through Patreon, a little bit goes a long way. This will give you access to the library of Famagogo Field Guides:
/ famagogo
Famagogo website:
www.famagogo.com
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Peter- / peterholcombe
Winnebago Revel 4x4 Sprinter Van
www.winnebago....

[@johnwight4055]

Nice footage. Here's a few tips from a local resident: 1. Zion is pronounced "Zie-uhn" not "Zie-ahn". The schwa is the key to not sounding like all the other KZbinrs peeling through repeating the Hollywood pronunciation (i.e., The Matrix). Just as all Oregon tourists used to pronounce it as "Orry gone" instead of "Orygun." Oregonians won that battle eventually. But you nailed "Escalante" perfectly. We keep the anglicized pronunciation with a long "a" as is proper when speaking English in the West. 2. Highway 12 is nice, when empty, as you have shown it. But it is a nightmare during travel seasons as it is not mean to handle large amounts of traffic traveling at a snails pace, single file for miles on end. You're much better off finding scenic routes outside of the traffic jams, or on the major roads. 3. The crowds are getting just as bad as everywhere else, like Zion and Moab. Bryce is now a packed national park. Even last week in early January with near-zero temperatures, it was filled with tour buses with visitors from Japan and Europe. Again, it feels even more crowded since it does not have wide infrastructure. 4. The largest living organism of aspen is actually further north towards the center of the state. 5. Visitors, please do not venture off the highway with anything but a high-clearance four-wheel drive. You are most likely to think you'll be fine in a sedan until you're not--miles from a paved road. The local search and rescue is paid from our local tax base but spent on international tourist rescues repeatedly. Because there is very little private land in this state, and almost no resources are allowed to be taken from the public land to support education, local residents pay heavily out of their meager pockets for foolish choices of visitors. Please keep this all in mind. Thank you.

[@Famagogo]

Thanks so much. I love stuff like this.

[@bryantgonsalves8026]

Yes your drone shots are next level! Positioning the drone next to the pilar with van driving by far in the background had me scratching my head on how you saw that. More impressive is that your traveling alone and able to still make those shots happen.

[@Famagogo]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.

[@Agileoffroad]

We love the Patreon field guides and special secrets!!!

[@Famagogo]

More to come! Thanks, we love our @agileoffroad family!

[@DavidTipton-e4c]

You are absolutely correct that hwy 12 is beautiful…. I’ve driven it twice in the last 12 months and will probably hit it again in about 6 months. Great cinematography on your part and travel safe and enjoy life.

[@Famagogo]

Right on! Thanks!

[@markjensen663]

I did that stretch about 25 years ago and it’s definitely the most amazing drives I have ever experienced. A ton of car commercials have been filmed on that road. Can’t wait to get back there again and explore it a little further.

[@Famagogo]

It's great out there. Thanks for watching.

[@shaunmoller2997]

Drone footage epic content out of this world magic episode greetings from South Africa

[@Famagogo]

Thanks so much! I hope to come to South Africa some day.

[@hannahelstad]

Gorgeous!

[@Famagogo]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@brentbrown51]

Stumbled onto that route a few years ago, heading north from Bryce Canyon. One of the most gorgeous drives we've taken. Blew our minds! Great video. Thanks!

[@Famagogo]

I'm so glad you found it too. It is magnificent. Thanks for watching!

[@billmcconnell1837]

Most beautiful drive. Thanks for sharing your drive.!

[@Famagogo]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for joining me.

[@Greyskydies]

Peter, I said I had built a sprinter during Covid, never actually used it and almost went on a trip. You replied, just do it. Well, I did, or am. Seattle to Cali, Yosemite, the to quartzite, then to fountain hills, mesa, sedum NW and now Grand Canyon!

[@Famagogo]

This is awesome to read! You're doing it! congrats! I'm really happy for you. Keep it up.

[@Greyskydies]

@@Famagogo well, I did it. Wa-Or-Ca-AZ-UT-ID-WA. Yosemite, Sedona, Grand Canyon. You helped me do that… thanks.

[@Famagogo]

That's so rad! Those are some epic places to visit. Keep it up. Where is next? @@Greyskydies

[@Greyskydies]

I’m in the NW, so I might go to coast and go razor clamming or go skiing with a bunch of friends.

[@CraigPeer]

wow Peter - you keep showing me places I've never been to that will keep us busy for years to come exploring in our soon to be ready Sprinter van. Thank you!

[@Famagogo]

Awesome! Good times are on the horizon. Thanks!

[@just_joc]

Lol, I was just telling someone about Lower Calf Creek Falls this morning! Hells Backbone Grill in Boulder is my favorite restaurant! I just love Utah...thanks for sharing.

[@Famagogo]

Thanks, I love Utah too.

[@rd.gerdes]

Beautiful place, beautiful video! We met you at the Scottsdale/McDowell Mt Park BNR a few years back. We've since moved to Utah and love exploring places like these! Subscribed!

[@Famagogo]

So cool! Thanks so much Randy!

[@timkern177]

I found that same camp spot (opening scene) about 6 yeara go. It's a great spot with great views. That last camp site does get extremely crowded at times. Sweet video!

[@Famagogo]

Very cool! Thanks for watching!

[@WKINNEY]

Enjoyed it Peter, thank you, awesome info

[@Famagogo]

Thank you!

[@Mikelen11]

Utah is a beautiful place! The Beartooth highway 212 in Wyoming is another one you should drive if you never have. We drove it last summer and our minds were blown.

[@johnwight4055]

Oh you shouldn't have given that one away. But another is scaling and descending the Bighorns in August over Hwy 14 in Wyoming. No words for it.

[@larryheiny5287]

Once again, well done. Hwy 12 is a fantastic drive although a bit surprised you didn’t drop down to Kodachrome also. And 100% agree that Bryce in the snow is magical. But just as importantly, where did you get that Revel hat?!

[@Famagogo]

I know, I could do 20 videos with all the great stuff near HWY 12. I like Kodachrome too but didn't make it on this pass. Maybe I'll do a follow up video with more places. Thanks for watching!

[@kennethoros4043]

Love the video , I wonder when the market will make a drone launch pad like they had in the movie blade runner.

[@Famagogo]

Not sure but that wound be so great! Thanks!

[@donnanderson42]

Super cool Peter👍 I’m searching for a 4x4 sprinter. It would be the ultimate Adventure Van for Anderson’s Adventures 42

[@Famagogo]

Good choice! Thanks so much!

[@mp412cutube]

What brand and model drone are you using? Those are some epic videos!

[@Famagogo]

This was shot on a DJI Air 3. Thanks!!!!

[@wildwoodsoundshouseconcert8324]

I am also in the process of exploring southern Utah. I retired last year and camped 180 times in the last two summers. I live in south central Colorado so am only a few hours away from red rock country. I love Escalante and Hwy 12. I also have a KZbin channel called Raven Trails / Truck Camping where me and my 'Hairy' dog go exploring. Maybe I will see you sometime and will keep a lookout for your van. Happy Trails, Stephen

[@Famagogo]

You are smack dab I the middle of my favorite place. Thats awesome. I'll check it out. I hope our paths cross someday. Thanks for writing!

[@buckmanriver]

Your drone cinematography is getting a lot better over the last year. This film is exceptional. I particularly like the flight with the cloud changing at sunset. Also, it does not look like your doing much or any color grading of the footage. Is that by choice?

[@Famagogo]

Thanks Buck. Yea, I'm not grading yet as it looks pretty good and I'm putting all my energy into making weekly videos. I will make the jump at some point.

[@jamestreanor182]

350k sprinter miles? Wow ❤

[@Famagogo]

Yes, we get around.

[@adventureoverland1960]

Great video, planning on heading to Capitol Reef in a couple months.

[@Famagogo]

Have fun!

[@55hjnc]

👍

[@banqupl]

I love your videos. Next week I’m coming from Europe to Vegas and I’m going to rent Revel. Where should I go during this time of the year? Can You recommend a trail that takes around 3 weeks? Greetings Ben

[@Famagogo]

This sounds like a great trip. This is a wonderful time of year to be in the 4 corners area. Definetly, Zion Nat Park, do Hwy 12, Visit the parks around Moab, Go south to Bluff, Mexican Hat and Goosenecks State Park, Then over to Kanab and to the Grand Canyon then and back around to Vegas. If you still have time check out Death Valley and Joshua Tree. This would be an epic tour. But you could just spend 3 weeks in the Utah part if you want to move slower.

[@banqupl]

@@Famagogo Thank You so much! This is what I’m gonna do :))

[@colingage6600]

Hello! We are newly subscribed to your channel. Very informative! Thanks so much! We are from British Columbia and are heading to Utah in two weeks (leaving BC on March 15th). We have a 32’ bus conversion that is 4x4, lifted 6”, and completely set up for off grid camping. Could you make some specific suggestions for us to stay? We plan on taking I90 from Washington, then I15 to Zion. We like the hwy 12 you described too. We would like to take hwy 12 to get to Bryce Canyon. Do you know of any cools spots to camp on/near lake Powell Any specific camping spots in those areas? Thanks!!!!

[@Famagogo]

Hello. We love BC, you live in a great place! Gosh that's a big trip with so many great options for camp spots. Check iOverlander for camp spots along most any route you take. Once in Utah drive the whole length of Hwy 12. If you're coming from the West to Bryce Hwy 12 is just starting to get good at the Bryce turnoff. Explore Bryce and keep Going to Capitol Reef and on to Hanksville, UT. Maybe then go on to Goblin Valley State Park. Lake Powell is HUGE. But I like the area on the North side of the lake north of Page, AZ. The whole area is mostly BLM or Glen Canyon Rec. You can camp almost anywhere you want. See some of my other Utah videos. I think you might find some other fun ideas. Have a great trip!

[@HelloWorlds__JTS]

What do you think about those Smith optics you're wearing? Are they the chroma pop?

[@Famagogo]

Hello, I have worn Smith glasses for the last 30 years. I love them. Yes, I have some with the Chroma Pop, too. They are luxury for my eyes. I don't go anywhere without them. I think you will love them, too.

[@EarthRoamingAdventures]

Just there now freezing 9 degrees

[@Famagogo]

Oh no, thats very challenging.

[@thecaptain6994]

It’s pronounced zi-un not zi-on. Only if you want to sound local vs foreign.

[@Famagogo]

LOL, I'm not fooling anyone I'm a local. You should hear how I say potato. Thanks for watching.