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4. The Burr Trail Scenic Byway
This byway will take you to the Waterpocket Fold District. The scenic drive will require between four and five hours. This drive will take you through a few major attractions including Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Capitol Reef National Park.
To reach the trail from the Fruita District you can take the unpaved Notom-Bullfrog Road, which leads to Strike Valley Overlook. From the south, you can reach it at a place close to the Natural Bridges National Monument. You will encounter the famous Burr Trail switchbacks as you navigate harrowing turns up significantly steep elevation and rejoin Highway 12 in the city of Boulder. In fact, driving from there to Torrey is another great scenic drive.
5. The Strike Valley Overlook
The Strike Valley Overlook in the Waterpocket Fold District is much like the Burr Trail Scenic Byway in that it too is a remote section of Capitol Reef and is visited by comparatively few people. Set aside at least five if not six hours here. Veteran visitors say it provides visitors “with unparalleled views” of the district.
If you’re coming from the west and wish to avoid the previously-mentioned Burr Trail switchbacks, take Highway 12 to Burr Trail Road. However, if you’re coming from the east and want to drive the switchbacks, take Highway 24 to Notom-Bullfrog Road. The overlook road is high clearance. Unless you have an AWD vehicle park on the side of Burr Trail Road and hike the six-mile round-trip access trail.
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