Scenic Byway 143 (original) (raw)
Scenic Byway 143By Ways2021-10-25T22:57:09-04:00
Scenic Byway 143 – Utah’s Patchwork Parkway
State: Utah
Length: 51 mi / 82 km
Time to Allow: 2 hours to drive, or longer to explore
While many byways offer a unique look at America’s history, this byway gets its name from a truly unique historic event from 1865. Settlers of the town Panguitch found themselves beset by a terrible winter, and when 7 men left the town to get supplies, the deep snow forced them to walk on foot. As anyone who has ever tried to walk on deep snow can imagine, they did not make it far. Desperate, they laid out some of the quilts they had brought with them to pray, only to realize the blankets spread their weight. They were able to make the difficult journey through the mountains by walking on these quilts and managed to bring back flour to the starving community. Thanks to this event, Scenic Byway 143 gained its secondary name as “Utah’s Patchwork Parkway.” Thankfully, travelers today don’t have to walk on crusted snow to experience this scenic byway!
A large part of Utah’s splendor comes from the wide range of elevations that make up its geologically diverse landscape, and this byway allows visitors to take in these elevations from the comfort of their car. The winding byway takes visitors from 6,000 feet (1,829 meters) in elevation, all the way up to 10,000 feet (3,048 meters). Not only are there countless scenic overlooks and plateaus throughout this area, but there are also plenty of recreation locations along this byway, making it the perfect year-round destination for the discerning outdoor enthusiast. Not only do the surrounding areas of Parowan, Brian Head, Panguitch Lake, and Panguitch itself offer plenty of recreation activities, but the pathway leads to bike trails, ski resorts, fishing destinations, and more.
Brian Head Park, the highest point along this byway, gives you a 100-mile (161-kilometer) view of the surrounding areas, including the far-off Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park. Those interested in exploring the geology of the area can visit the Grand Staircase, a rock formation that makes its way to the Grand Canyon, and has captivated tourists and geologists alike with its beauty and unique configuration. Brian Head Park also offers both summer and winter activities, ranging from off-roading, camping, biking, hiking, and fishing in the warmer months, to tubing and skiing in the winter, not to mention snowmobiling. This location alone makes the byway worth visiting, as you can spend a lifetime experiencing the park and never run out of new sights or new activities to fill your time.
No matter if you find yourself passing through Utah, or are looking to spend a week or two taking advantage of the gorgeous scenery and incredible recreation activities offered by this state, you’re sure to find yourself drawn to Utah’s Patchwork Highway, and leave with a better understanding of the difficulties faced by early settlers, as well as an appreciation of the incredible landscapes that inspired them to stay and create communities all across this state.
More Utah Byways
You can check out additional Byways in Utah by clicking on the list of byways below, or by going to the Utah Byways home section. To find even more of scenic byways in the United States, visit our scenic byways map.