The 4 Most Enchanting Drives in Zion National Park
Zion National Park, located in southeastern Utah, offers a stunning landscape of cliffs, plateaus, and canyons.
In addition to its renowned hiking and rock climbing opportunities, the park boasts some breathtakingly scenic drives. Let’s delve into the four most beautiful and scenic drives in Zion National Park.
Exploring Zion
- Kolob Canyon Road
- Location: Northwest region of Zion National Park
- Length: Five-mile drive
- Highlights:
- Kolob Canyons with narrow, box-style canyons and sheer cliffs.
- Timber Creek Overlook Trail for stunning canyon views.
- Taylor Creek Trail leading to the Double Arch Alcove.
- Kolob Terrace Road
- Location: Begins in the town of Virgin, southwest corner of the park
- Length: 25 miles, ending at Kolob Reservoir
- Highlights:
- Desert scenery and high-altitude mountain forests.
- Trailheads for Right Fork, Grapevine, and Left Fork trails.
- Kolob Terrace Road climbs to an elevation of 8,000 feet.
- Kolob Reservoir for fishing, swimming, and boating.
- Zion Mount-Carmel Highway
- Location: Main route to enter Zion National Park from the east (Highway 9)
- Length: 14 miles
- Highlights:
- Follows Pine Creek through dramatic canyons.
- Checkerboard Mesa pull-off for incredible rock formations.
- Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel with windows offering canyon views.
- Keyhole Canyon for rock climbing enthusiasts.
- Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
- Location: Through the main canyon of Zion National Park
- Length: 7.7 miles
- Highlights:
- Closed to private vehicles during peak season (accessible by shuttle).
- Zion Canyon shuttle with stops at popular destinations like Emerald Pools Trail and Narrows.
- Access to the Zion Human History Museum.
- Shuttle ride takes about 45 minutes, reaching the final stop at the Temple of Sinawava.
A Road Trip Through Scenic Wonders
Note: Private vehicles may be allowed during the winter and early spring, depending on weather conditions.
Exploring these scenic drives provides visitors with a diverse range of landscapes, from narrow canyons to high-altitude plateaus, showcasing the natural beauty of Zion National Park.