The Best Scenic Drives Around Zion National Park: Roll Down the Windows and Soak It In
The Best Scenic Drives Around Zion National Park: Roll Down the Windows and Soak It In
Not every adventure around Zion National Park requires hiking boots or a backpack. Sometimes, the best way to experience Southern Utah’s jaw-dropping beauty is behind the wheel, windows down, playlist up, with red cliffs and winding roads unfolding ahead of you. If you’re looking for drives that deliver all the wow-factor with none of the blisters, here are the best scenic routes around Zion that will make you want to pull over every five minutes just to stare.
1. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
The Classic.
Inside the park, the main canyon drive is iconic for a reason. You’ll pass towering cliffs, the Virgin River, and trailheads to some of Zion’s most famous hikes (Angel’s Landing, The Grotto, Big Bend). From March through late November, this road is closed to private cars and accessible only by the free park shuttle—but riding the shuttle is part of the fun. Sit back, listen to the ranger narration, and let the scenery do the work.
Pro tip: Go early or late in the day for magical lighting on the canyon walls—and smaller crowds.
2. Kolob Canyons
The Hidden Gem.
About 40 minutes north of the main entrance, this lesser-known section of Zion is a stunner. The Kolob Canyons Roadis a short, 5-mile scenic drive that winds past towering crimson cliffs and leads to some of the park’s most peaceful viewpoints. The overlook at the end will make you feel like you’ve stumbled onto the cover of a National Geographic issue.
Pro tip: Pack a picnic—there are quiet spots perfect for lunch with a view.
3. Kolob Terrace Road
The Road Less Traveled.
Starting in Virgin (just west of Springdale), this drive climbs from desert valley floor into high-elevation forest and meadows, passing lava rock fields, sprawling ranchland, and endless views of Zion’s backcountry. It’s about 25 miles one way, leading toward Lava Point—one of the park’s highest accessible viewpoints. The drive feels like a secret passage to a whole different world.
Pro tip: The higher elevations are cooler, so it’s a great escape during hot summer days. In fall, the golden aspens will make you pull over for photos.
4. Highway 9 (Zion-Mount Carmel Highway)
The Jaw-Dropper.
This route is a rite of passage for Zion visitors. Connecting Springdale to the east entrance, Highway 9 twists through the famous Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, curves around red rock formations, and serves up some of the most surreal views in the park. Checkerboard Mesa, a naturally etched sandstone wonder, is your reward at the end.
Pro tip: Drive it at sunrise for the soft glow on the cliffs—and fewer cars.
5. Kolob Reservoir Road
For the Adventurers.
If you keep going past Kolob Terrace, you’ll eventually hit Kolob Reservoir, a peaceful alpine lake surrounded by pines. The road getting there is an experience in itself, with sweeping views of canyons, mesas, and the wild backcountry. It’s a favorite for photographers (and anyone who loves feeling like they’re in the middle of nowhere).
Pro tip: Pack layers—it can be 20 degrees cooler up here than down in Springdale.
Make It a Scenic Day (or Two)
The beauty of these drives is that you can do them all without ever lacing up your hiking boots (though there are plenty of trails if you want to). Bring snacks, water, and a good playlist, and prepare to stop—often—for photos, picnics, and maybe even a spontaneous roadside nap under a cottonwood tree.
And when your day of scenic cruising winds down? Head back to your private Casita, kick off your shoes, and watch the red cliffs turn gold in the sunset—because the view from there is a scenic drive all its own.
