Travels With Minnie: Utah’s Bicentennial Highway

As we enjoyed our last views of the gorgeous red cliffs of Capitol Reef National Park, we wondered what our day’s drive would reveal. Our planned route would take us along another lonely road where a sign warned there were no services ahead. While Reg likes this sort of excitement, I am far more nervous about driving off into the great unknown.

Utah’s Bicentennial Highway, otherwise known as Highway 95, was completed in 1976, and stretches between Hanksville (in the north) and Blanding (in the south). We noticed a lot of narrow, unmarked dirt roads that turned left and right off the highway, disappearing in the distance. No doubt a haven for off-roading enthusiasts. Keeping our wheels on the pavement rewarded us with a trip through another stunning red rock canyon.

Continuing south, we arrived at the Hite Overlook in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. This is a good place to stretch legs while taking in the panoramic view of Glen Canyon, the Colorado River, Lake Powell and Hite, Utah. The Glen Canyon Dam was completed in 1963, eventually swallowing the boomtown of Hite as the newly forming Lake Powell increased in size.
Unfortunately, the Colorado River Basin has been experiencing drought since 2000, leaving dangerously low water levels, leading scientists to speculate that Lake Powell will never fill again.

Eventually we arrived at our destination, the inconspicuously named town of Blanding, Utah, where we checked into our site at Blue Mountain RV &Trading. Our pleasant spot included a patch of green grass and a strip of concrete to help keep our shoes clean.