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High Desert to Dinosaurland: 3-Day Utah Transit

Embark on a high-desert odyssey from the Mojave to the Uinta Basin. This route traverses Nevada’s volcanic landscapes and southern Utah’s red rocks before reaching the world-famous fossil beds of Vernal.

3days
9stops
1289km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Tonopah · Cedar City — start in Cantil, end in Jensen.

DAY01

Red Rock Canyon → Tonopah

438 km · 4h 27m driving · Overnight in Tonopah Historic Mining Park
  1. 09:00
    Red Rock Canyon· start
  2. 149 km · 1h 27m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Alabama Hills
  4. 289 km · 3h
  5. 15:00
    Tonopah Historic Mining Park· overnight
DAY02

Lunar Crater Backcountry Byway → Cedar City

445 km · 4h 20m driving · long drive · Overnight in Cedar City Old Town
  1. 09:00
    Lunar Crater Backcountry Byway· start
  2. 136 km · 1h 21m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Cathedral Gorge
  4. 309 km · 2h 59m
  5. 15:00
    Cedar City Old Town· overnight
DAY03

Parowan → Dinosaur National Monument Qu…

406 km · 4h 3m driving · long drive
  1. 09:00
    Parowan Gap Petroglyphs· start
  2. 31 km · 24m
  3. 12:00
    Helper Historic Main Street
  4. 375 km · 3h 39m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Dinosaur National Monument Quarry Exhibit Hall
Heads Up
  • Day 2: 5h 44m driving — plan rest stops
  • Day 3: 6h 24m driving — plan rest stops
  • Check fuel levels frequently on NV-375 and US-6; services are extremely sparse.
  • Verify weather conditions for Price Canyon on US-6, as high-altitude passes can see sudden snow.
  • Book Dinosaur National Monument entry in advance if visiting during peak weekends.