Overall Route Rating
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4.57 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.57
14 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on May 31, 2009

Rider Reviews

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donniejoe
June 24, 2012
Zion is one of the most beautiful places on…
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Guest
May 30, 2010
We totally agree this is one of our favorite…
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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 ."

Drive Enjoyment

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.

Tourism Opportunities

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.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

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

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donniejoe
June 24, 2012
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Zion is one of the most beautiful places on planet earth. If you are planning to get anywhere near it, you've got to visit. There is a lot of traffic. The scenery is breathtaking. You visit the canyon via a tram, so park the bike and take a butt break. The canyon is much cooler than the surrounding area, so you can cool down. View the canyon for a few hours, then ride through the rest of the park and be blown away by the beauty. The road conditions are good and there are tons of twisties.
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5 riders found this road review useful
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Guest
May 30, 2010
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
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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4 riders found this road review useful
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earlandson
May 15, 2013
2 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
This was a great ride for the wife and I. After finishing the route through Zion on hwy 9 we continued on to hwy 89 to hwy 14 to Cedar City. We would have liked to take the Cedar Breaks turnoff but it was closed that day. Pretty extreme weather change on hwy 14 due to the 4000' climb. Bring a jacket, because it can get cold! We were there 5/11.
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3 riders found this road review useful