Manti-LaSal National Forest - Utah Scenic Drives

One of many attractions the Manti-LaSal National Forest has to offer is the beautiful drive across the Skyline Drive. Many visitors each year come to the Manti-LaSal National Forest to view the beautiful scenery from Skyline Drive. The Skyline Drive corridor contains portions of the Utah Adventure Highway and the Great Western Trail. It provides panoramic views and is one of the most scenic drives in the Nation.

Skyline Drive

Skyline Drive (graded), for its length is one of the highest roads in the United States, winds for nearly 100 miles along the broad summit of the Wasatch Plateau, affording magnificent views of Sanpete Valley, mile-deep canyons, lakefilled basins and delightful alpine meadows and forests.

For most of this distance between Tucker on U.S. 50-6 and Mayfield near U.S. 89, its elevation ranges from 9,000 to 11,000 feet. Roads between communities in Sanpete and Castle Valleys intersect the drive offering easy access and egress.

The road is unsurfaced and rough in places; people who travel it should do so in good weather. Some sections are suitable for high clearance four-wheel drive vehicles only. Certain sections of the road are not open until late July or early August.

The highest point on Skyline Drive is at an elevation of 10,904 feet. It gives visitors views of Wasatch Plateau, adjacent mountain ranges, and Sanpete Valley.

The Skyline Drive can be accessed by several different canyons. Coming from the north by way of Highway 50-6 enter Skyline Drive at Tucker Rest Stop. The road from Tucker south to Fairview Canyon is dirt/gravel. Road condition is generally good. One can access this section of Skyline Drive in late May to early June until late September to early October.

Fairview Canyon

Fairview Canyon Road, Highway 31 is a paved highway maintained by the State. It is kept open year around. You can access Skyline Drive North or Skyline Drive South by way of this road.

Fairview Lakes

Fairview Lakes Overlook is a very beautiful scenic view of Fairview Lakes and Gooseberry Valley. One can enjoy the beautiful green forage in the summer, the beautiful fall colors, and the majestic snow covered slopes in winter are excellent for snowmobiling and cross country skiing.

Sanpete Valley

Sanpete Valley Overlook is a scenic view of Sanpete Valley. Located on Highway 31 one can get a breathtaking look at the valley below.

Pleasant Creek Canyon

Pleasant Creek Canyon by way of Mt. Pleasant is a very steep canyon it accesses Skyline Drive at the 10,550 ft. elevation. The road is dirt and very rough in spots. Continuing south on Skyline Drive the section of road between Pleasant Creek Canyon and Spring City Canyon is in very poor condition. It is rough and rutted. This section of road is not recommended for use by anything except four wheel drive, high clearance vehicles, and on sunny days.

Continuing South . . .

Continuing south on Skyline Drive the section of road between Spring City Canyon and Ephraim Canyon is generally good except for one spot by the Horse Shoe where a snow bank remains until late July early August, most years.

Ephraim Canyon access road to Skyline Drive is a graveled road maintained by Sanpete County. Skyline Drive south from Ephraim Canyon to Twelve-Mile Canyon, the road condition is generally good. It is passable from late June to October or first snowfall.

Six-Mile Canyon accesses Skyline Drive by way of Twelve-Mile Canyon road. Up Six-Mile Canyon is the location of the Giant Grove of Aspen.

Twelve-Mile Canyon (Mayfield) access road to Skyline Drive is a graveled road. The road condition is generally good with Twelve-Mile Flat campground at the 10,200 ft. elevation.