Highlights of Huntington/Eccles Canyon Scenic Byway

Wherever the starting point is on Huntington/Eccles Canyon Scenic Byway, the road takes travelers through contrasting terrain that changes abruptly. The landscape of the Energy Loop is made up of different areas known as the San Rafael Swell and the Wasatch Plateau.

As you drive through these areas, notice the interplay between vegetation and terrain as it creates a scenic view. In some places, mountains are covered in pine and aspen, creating lush, forested canyons. In others, the vegetation is sparse among the red rock formations along the plateaus.

Driving through the beautiful stands of mature trees of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, you will notice mountain streams and winding inclines. The shades of light and dark clash directly with the pine and the aspen on the mountaintops of Eccles Canyon. The long grass in the meadows lines the banks of Huntington Creek, with some of the blades dipping down into the scurrying water below.

In the distance, you may catch a glimpse of an old log cabin or, perhaps, a bluebird perched on an old fence. Grass and sagebrush appear among the aspen at the tops of the mountains, and a stop at Sanpete Overlook offers a view of the sprawling mountains and valleys beyond overshadowed by clouds.

Tucked away on the corners of the Energy Loop are small communities and historic mining towns. These present a break in the route and an opportunity to drive the streets of the communities to see old buildings and cemeteries. Many of the towns like Scofield and Fairview offer informational kiosks or museums for exploration.

The alluring wilderness begins to appear at the south end of the byway in a swift transition from pine-forested mountains to rocky, red cliffs. Unique yellow and red rock formations with holes, crevasses, and trees scattered throughout are the results of an erratic art form of nature.

©Byways.org Colorful canyons are visible while driving along Huntington/Eccles Canyon Scenic Byway.

Some of the rocks appear in vertical slabs wedged together to form a cliff. Others have pockmarks so distinct that, from a distance, they could be mistaken for an archaic language. Scenic turnouts are irresistible for photographing a rock formation against the sky or a river rushing through the canyons.

The scenic qualities of the Energy Loop are diverse and breathtaking. The byway stretches across the Wasatch Plateau, rising high through steep canyons and down into pristine valleys. Castle Valley is located on the eastern side of the byway at the edge of the dramatic San Rafael Swell near Huntington. This desert valley is gorgeous and in stark contrast with the forested canyons found between Huntington and Fairview. 

The Energy Loop makes its way up Huntington Canyon, over a high summit, and down into Fairview Canyon, where you are treated to extraordinary views of mountain slopes and the Sanpete Valley below. Streams, lakes, and reservoirs are abundant on the byway. At the higher elevations where the Huntington and Eccles Canyons intersect, you'll see U-shaped glacial valleys with rounded peaks and cirques cut by ancient glaciers.

Traveling from Fairview, this tour suggests scenic vistas that will make your visit to Huntington/Eccles Canyon Scenic Byway a fulfilling one.

Electric Lake and Burnout Canyon: Beginning in Fairview, take UT 31 approximately ten miles to its junction with Highway 264. Follow 264 for about another ten miles, and you will come upon a turnout, along with a view of Burnout Canyon and Electric Lake. Electric Lake was constructed to provide power for the Huntington Power Plant. At the bottom of the lake lay old mines and kilns.

Scofield: Twelve miles past the Electric Lake Overlook on Highway 264, you will meet State Highway 96. Travel north for five miles to the historic town of Scofield, once the largest town in all of Carbon County. On May 1, 1900, one of the worst mining accidents in U.S. history claimed the lives of hundreds of miners. Visit the old cemetery to see the gravestones of the miners lost on that tragic day. A little farther north, Highway 96 runs beside Scofield State Park and Reservoir, which provides good trout fishing.

Sanpete Valley Overlook: Leave the Scofield area by heading south on Highway 96, following the road you came in on. Drive back to the junction of Highways 264 and UT 31, and follow UT 31 southeast toward the town of Huntington. Approximately seven miles from the junction, you will find another turnout that shows an impressive view of the Sanpete Valley.

Joes Valley Overlook: Continue traveling south for around eight miles on UT 31 to another scenic overlook. This turnout provides a view of Joes Valley below, a popular recreation area for locals.

Get a history lesson on coal mining and enjoy incredible mountain views as you travel the Huntington and Eccles Canyons Scenic Byways.

Find more useful information related to Utah's Huntington/Eccles Canyon Scenic Byway:

• Utah Scenic Drives: Huntington/Eccles Canyon Scenic Byway is just one of the scenic byways in Utah. Check out the others.
• Huntington, Fairview: Find out what there is to do in these cities along Huntington/Eccles Canyon Scenic Byway.
• Scenic Drives: Are you interested in scenic drives beyond Utah? Here are more than 100 scenic drives throughout the United States.
• How to Drive Economically: Fuel economy is a major concern when you're on a driving trip. Learn how to get better gas mileage.