Dine at Hell's Backbone Grill

Itinerary tips

• 1Make reservations several weeks in advance through their website, as walk-ins are rarely available during the peak season.
• 2Allocate at least three hours for the drive and meal if coming from Bryce Canyon, as the high-altitude curves of Scenic Byway 12 require slow speeds.
• 3Bring a light jacket or sweater even in summer because the restaurant is located at 6,700 feet and temperatures drop rapidly after sunset.
• 4Parking is free and located directly in front of the Boulder Mountain Lodge, though spots fill up quickly during the dinner rush.
• 5Purchase a copy of their cookbook or house-made preserves from the onsite gift shop to take a piece of the high-desert harvest home.
• 6Plan to arrive 30 minutes early to stroll through the organic gardens where much of the evening's produce is harvested.