This 46-mile scenic backway heads east, then south, from Kodachrome Basin State Park, emerging at Hwy 89 near Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. It's the closest entry into GSENM from Bryce and an easy (though sometimes rough) drive, passable for 2WD vehicles (RVs not recommended). Twenty miles south of Hwy 12 you'll reach Grosvenor Arch , a yellow-limestone double arch, with picnic tables and restrooms.
The road continues south along the west side of the Cockscomb , a long, narrow monocline in the Earth's crust. The Cockscomb divides the Grand Staircase from Kaiparowits Plateau to the east; there are superb views. The most scenic stretch lies between Grosvenor Arch and Lower Hackberry Canyon , good for hiking. The road then follows the desolate Paria River valley toward Hwy 89.
