Highway 9 - Zion Canyon | Utah Motorcycle Roads and Rides

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Highway 9 - Zion Canyon

Average Rating - This road has been rated by 3 visitors

State: Utah
Date Submitted: June 1, 2009
Submitted by: Eric Young
Motorcycle Road Length: 45 Miles

Written Directions

Highway 9 actually picks up at I-15 at the Hurricane exit. But the fun starts at La Verkin. The road ends at a junction of Highway 89 north of Kanab, Utah, that taken north will lead to Bryce Canyon and south to the Grand Canyon.

Scenery

Just outside of La Verkin, Highway 9 ascends a fault abduction and drops into a valley surrounded by mesas with Zion Canyon's spires in the background. The Virgin River winds with the lanes on the south side. Stunning scenery and great history including the film location of "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." Drop into Rockville and see a slice of preserved western Americana, round a bend past an impeccable apple orchard, up and over a rise and Springdale fills all the senses. Once in Zion National Park, vision is overloaded with a geological and natural variety found only here. On the off season riders can take the canyon road into its terminus at one of the most picturesque points of America. Continue on 9 and mount the switchbacks to the mile tunnel carved into the cliffs of Zion. The road winds through landscape of Kaibab limestone with wind and water formations. From the east entrance to Mt. Carmel Junction, 9 meanders through high desert terrain and forest.

Photo contributed by visitor in Jun 09 - "Picture entering the second (and longest) tunnel."

Photo contributed by visitor in Jun 09 - "Zion National Park ."

Road Quality

State road 9 is adequately maintained and is open all year. Long straights eventually give way to sweeping curves and mild elevation changes. In Zion NP, 9 is the color red made from indigenous materials that seem to be harder to maintain. It's a twisty ride, especially up the switchbacks to the tunnel and through the east side of the park. The state road picks up with straights into sweeping turns with a couple of medium grades and sharp corners into Mt. Carmel Junction. Off-season is the best time to tour, otherwise it's crowded.

Roadside Amenities

Zion National Park is an international tourist destination, forcing the local commerce to reach a higher level of hospitality and food service. Some succeed like Oscar's or the Zion Pizza/Noodle Factory in Springdale. Lodging is plentiful and caters to various budgets. Camping in Zion or in private grounds flanking the park. HD riders will enjoy the shop at the junction of 9 and I-15.

Additional Info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .

Nickname (optional) Eric Young

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Reviewed by Guest on May 30, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Wade Norton
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: We totally agree this is one of our favorite rides. Zion is absolutely amazing. You add side trips of Kolob Canyon or Kolob Terrace as they are also part of Zion National Park. This road is nearby and convenient to home so we do this trip often (in fact we're headed there today). Enjoy the trip! Wade
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Reviewed by Guest on October 17, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Laurie
motorcycle_year: 2007
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: Took this route today...loved it. The fall leaves were beautiful and the temperature was perfect at 77. I would give it a 10 if not for the amount of tourists, but I'm glad so many people were able to experience a perfect day. This route is on my permanent list of repeat routes.
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Reviewed by Guest on June 26, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Tim C.
motorcycle_year: 2002
motorcycle_make: BMW
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: Very nice ride. Back in '07 I took a trip to the south & north rims of the Grand Canyon. I stayed in Kanab, UT overnight and then headed back to California via Zion N.P. Glad I did, as it reminds me of a red/limestone Yosemite N.P. A must see if riding through Utah.
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