Zion Scenic Byway Driving Tour
$14.99
Zion Park Scenic Byway
Drive Utah’s Legendary Road to Heaven
Looking for the best way to experience the Zion Park Scenic Byway?
This self-guided GPS audio driving tour follows Highway 9 from Hurricane through the towns of La Verkin, Virgin, Rockville, and Springdale, across Zion National Park, and onward to Mount Carmel Junction. Along the way, you’ll pass red-rock cliffs, pioneer settlements, hidden swimming holes, ghost towns, dramatic overlooks, and one of the most remarkable tunnels ever built through solid stone.
Known locally as the Road to Heaven, the route climbs from the desert floor toward Zion’s towering cliffs before passing through the mile-long Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel and the quieter landscapes of East Zion.
Along the way, you’ll discover:
Hurricane and its pioneer history
Quail Creek and Sand Hollow
Hurricane Mesa
Sheep Bridge and Falls Park
Grafton Ghost Town
Rockville Bridge
Springdale
Zion Canyon
The Great Arch
Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel
Pine Creek Canyon Overlook
Many Pools
Checkerboard Mesa
East Zion
Mount Carmel Junction
Your phone automatically plays the stories as you drive, so you can enjoy the scenery without constantly checking directions.
Why This Tour Is Different
✔ GPS-guided narration plays automatically
✔ Covers the full Zion Park Scenic Byway
✔ Includes towns, overlooks, trails, ghost towns, and hidden stops
✔ Optional detours to Grafton and Falls Park
✔ Stories about pioneers, Southern Paiute history, and park construction
✔ Works offline after downloading
✔ Explore entirely at your own pace
$14.99
What will you see? Here are the tour highlights
Hurricane
Begin in the town named after a violent 1863 windstorm that reportedly tore the roof from a church meetinghouse. Hear how Mormon pioneers battled leaking canals, crop-destroying grasshoppers, and relentless desert winds to build a community here.
Hurricane Mesa
Look toward the flat-topped mesa where the Air Force built a secret rocket-sled testing facility in the 1950s. Crash-test dummy “Hurricane Sam” was launched at enormous speeds to help engineers design safer aircraft ejection seats.
Sheep Bridge and Falls Park
Cool off along the Virgin River at a local favorite featuring sandy beaches, tubing rapids, swimming holes, picnic areas, and shade beneath cottonwood trees.
Grafton Ghost Town
Explore a genuine western ghost town that Mormon pioneers rebuilt after floods and abandoned during periods of conflict. The preserved schoolhouse, cemetery, and homes later appeared in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Rockville Bridge
Cross the historic steel truss bridge built in 1924 to withstand the Virgin River’s destructive floods. Local residents successfully fought to preserve it when replacement was proposed decades later.
Zion Canyon
Enter the canyon carved by the Virgin River through ancient Navajo Sandstone. Towering red-and-white cliffs rise above the highway as the route passes through Springdale and the park’s southern entrance.
The Great Arch and East Temple
Stop at a roadside viewpoint for views of the enormous blind arch and the soaring East Temple, two of the most dramatic formations along Highway 9.
Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel
Drive through the mile-long tunnel blasted through solid rock between 1927 and 1930. Its distinctive windows were originally created so workers could remove debris during construction.
Many Pools
Take an optional hike across slickrock filled with natural basins and small waterfalls after rainfall. The route offers a quieter alternative to Zion’s busiest trails.
Checkerboard Mesa
See Zion’s famous crosshatched sandstone dome, where horizontal ancient dune layers intersect with vertical cracks caused by repeated freezing and thawing.
East Zion
Experience the park’s quieter eastern side, where pale sandstone, open landscapes, and fewer crowds create a completely different atmosphere from Zion Canyon.
FAQ's
What is the Zion Park Scenic Byway?
The Zion Park Scenic Byway follows Utah State Route 9 through Hurricane, Springdale, Zion National Park, East Zion, and Mount Carmel Junction.
How long does the drive take?
The tour takes approximately 90 minutes without stopping. Most visitors should allow 4–6 hours for viewpoints, short hikes, Grafton Ghost Town, and other detours.
Where does the tour begin?
The tour begins at Zion Harley-Davidson on Town Center Road in Hurricane, Utah.
Where does the tour end?
It ends at Mount Carmel Junction, where Highway 9 meets U.S. Route 89.
Does the tour include Zion National Park?
Yes. The route travels through the park from the South Entrance to the East Entrance.
Does the route include Zion Canyon Scenic Drive?
The tour passes the turnoff, but private vehicles are restricted from Zion Canyon Scenic Drive during much of the year. Visitors can use the park shuttle and a separate GPS tour for that section.
Can I drive through Zion without stopping?
The script notes that visitors may pass through on Highway 9, but entrance rules and fees should be checked before arrival.
Is the Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel included?
Yes. Driving through the historic tunnel is one of the tour’s central experiences.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes. Families may particularly enjoy Falls Park, the Zion Nature Center, Checkerboard Mesa, and the optional Grafton Ghost Town visit.
Does the tour work offline?
Yes. Download it before leaving areas with reliable cellular service.
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