Sanford Loop

Sanford Loop cuts the corner around the town of Panguitch, connecting US 89 and US 12. Starting from Highway 12 near the Red Canyon turn-off, the route rolls through open terrain under big skies before climbing into pine-lined ridges where the rock formations grow more dramatic. It offers plentiful dispersed camping near Bryce Canyon National Park and can easily be worked into a longer overland trip. Expansive views stretch across the benchlands toward Casto Bluff and Hancock Peak, with quiet campsites tucked among sage and pines. The trail invites an unhurried pace. Find a spot, settle in, and enjoy the solitude before moving on. It also ties into the larger Paiute and Fremont ATV Trail network, linking through Sanford and Smith Canyon country.

The surface alternates between dirt, gravel, and patches of loose rock, with occasional washouts and shallow ruts. The ground can be uneven where the trail transitions between benches and forested coves. It’s generally easy for high-clearance vehicles, though scattered rocks the size of baseballs to basketballs can test AWD or low-clearance rigs. Stay attentive through the dips and rises, and it remains a steady, satisfying drive.

Camping is dispersed. In the southern section, between Red Canyon and Berry Spring, there are roughly half a dozen sites in close succession; farther north, they thin out into quieter, more private spots. Most are open to the sky, with a few shaded under pines, and none feel like developed campgrounds. In all, about twenty sites can be seen along the drive with plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the stillness.

Historical note: The area around Panguitch, including the old Fort Sanford site, once served as a strategic post during the 1860s frontier era, guarding the north–south corridor used by settlers and travelers along the Old Spanish Trail.