Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway

Take in the stunning desert landscape of Southern Utah when you drive the Smithsonian Butte Back Country Byway. All nine miles between Big Plain Junction and Rockville, UT, just south of Zion National Park's southern entrance, offer gorgeous views of the surrounding geographic wonders including the byway's namesake and Zion Canyon, not to mention the historical Grafton ghost town.

Getting to the Byway: From St. George Travel north on Interstate 15. Take exit 16 to Hurricane City. Turn right on Main Street. Take first left onto State Route 59. At approximately 14.4 miles, turn left on Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway. From Springdale Travel west on State Route 9 for approximately 3.5 miles from downtown Springdale. Turn left on Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway. Navigating the Byway: To reach the byway from Hilldale, take UT-59 west for 8 miles from Hilldale. At the junction of UT-59 and Smithsonian Butte Country Road, take Smithsonian Butte Country Road northeast for 9 miles until you reach the end of the byway at Rockville. To reach the byway from Zion Park Scenic Byway (UT-9), go to Rockville, which is along UT-9, then turn southwest onto Smithsonian Butte Country Road (the byway), drive for for 9 miles until you reach the junction of the byway and UT-59.