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Highway 9: La Verkin to Springdale, Virgin River, Utah
Photo: Vadim Pozdeyev · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped

Drives Utah Zion, Bryce and Southwest Utah

Highway 9: La Verkin to Springdale

SR 9 · La Verkin → Springdale

Leisurely19.3 mi25 min1,500 ft climbHigh point ≈ 3,900 ftOne way
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The drive

Highway 9 is the Zion Park Scenic Byway, and this stretch runs from La Verkin to Springdale at the mouth of Zion National Park, about 19 miles. After leaving La Verkin, the road climbs past several mesas, then passes through Virgin and Rockville and into Springdale beneath red sandstone cliffs. The Virgin River runs alongside the byway.

The state designated the whole length of Highway 9 as a scenic byway, and the section from La Verkin to Zion's east entrance is a National Scenic Byway. In Rockville, Bridge Road leads to the Rockville Bridge. The branch east from La Verkin toward Zion joined the state highway system in 1916.

This is a relaxed drive with gentle curves. It ends in Springdale, the point where the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway drive begins. There is no park fee on this stretch, because it comes before the park entrance.

Along the way

  1. La Verkin (Highway 9)
  2. Springdale
Elevation
1,500 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 3,900 ft
La VerkinSpringdale
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
La VerkinSpringdale
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Springdale and the road into it are busy at peak weekends and holidays, and Springdale has paid on-street parking.
  • A free Zion Canyon shuttle runs March through November, and SunTran buses link St. George and Springdale.
  • Large-vehicle size restrictions apply on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway beyond Springdale, so check them before taking an RV or trailer further.
  • Rock falls and landslides are a known hazard along Highway 9 between La Verkin and Springdale.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check UDOT Traffic.

Questions about this drive

How long does Highway 9 from La Verkin to Springdale take?

Highway 9 from La Verkin to Springdale is 19.3 miles and takes about 25 minutes.

Is there a fee to drive Highway 9 to Springdale?

No park fee applies on this stretch of Highway 9, which comes before the Zion National Park entrance. Springdale has paid on-street parking.

Is Highway 9 a scenic byway?

Yes. All of Highway 9 is the Zion Park Scenic Byway, and the stretch from La Verkin to Zion's east entrance is a National Scenic Byway.

Is Highway 9 twisty?

No. Highway 9 from La Verkin to Springdale is a leisurely drive with mostly gentle curves.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highway 9: La Verkin to Springdale, from La Verkin to Springdale