Scenic Drives Near St. George, Utah

Just 15 minutes from St. George, this short drive winds through Snow Canyon State Park past stunning red and white sandstone formations and ancient lava flows. Multiple pulloffs for photos and short hikes. $10 per vehicle day use fee.

One of America's most iconic park roads, cutting through Zion National Park via a 1.1-mile tunnel carved through sandstone. Features dramatic switchbacks, Canyon Overlook Trail access, and the famous Checkerboard Mesa. Park entrance fee required.

Access the northern section of Zion National Park from I-15 at exit 40. This 5-mile dead-end scenic road climbs to the Kolob Canyons Viewpoint with panoramic views of towering red finger canyons. Free with Zion park pass.

Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful highways in America, Highway 12 stretches from Escalante to Torrey through Grand Staircase-Escalante and Capitol Reef red rock country. Hogback Ridge, Calf Creek, and Boulder Mountain are highlights. An all-day drive from St. George.

The Arizona section of Interstate 15 between St. George and Mesquite cuts through a dramatic canyon with towering limestone walls rising hundreds of feet on both sides. One of the most scenic stretches of interstate highway in the country — and it's free since it's the freeway.

A stunning backroad connecting Rockville to Apple Valley with sweeping panoramic views of Zion National Park's west side, including the Towers of the Virgin. Dirt road surface — high clearance vehicle recommended. Best on dry days.

An urban scenic loop right in St. George passing the Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm, Red Hills Golf Course, and city overlooks with sweeping views of the red rock landscape and Pine Valley Mountains. Free and accessible year-round.

Climbing from Cedar City eastward to Cedar Breaks National Monument, Highway 14 traverses mountain passes, alpine meadows, and aspen groves. Spectacular fall color drive in late September. Connects to Brian Head and Cedar Breaks. About 1 hour drive.

What are the best scenic drives near St. George?

The top scenic drives near St. George include Snow Canyon Scenic Drive (15 min away), Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway through Zion National Park (45 min), Kolob Fingers Scenic Road on the north side of Zion (20 min from I-15), and the Virgin River Gorge along I-15 toward Mesquite. For longer day trips, Highway 12 Scenic Byway between Escalante and Torrey is considered one of America's most beautiful roads, and the Markagunt Scenic Byway (Hwy 14) from Cedar City to Cedar Breaks offers stunning mountain scenery.

Is Highway 12 worth the drive?

Absolutely. Highway 12 Scenic Byway is consistently ranked among the most beautiful roads in America. The route from Escalante to Torrey passes through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and skirts Capitol Reef National Park, with highlights including the narrow Hogback Ridge, Calf Creek Falls trailhead, the charming town of Boulder, and Boulder Mountain's alpine forests. Plan a full day from St. George — the drive itself takes 3-4 hours one way, and you will want to stop frequently for photos and short hikes.

Can you drive through Zion National Park?

Yes. The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (Highway 9) runs east-west through the park between Springdale and Mt. Carmel Junction. It features the famous 1.1-mile Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, dramatic switchbacks, and views of Checkerboard Mesa. A park entrance fee is required. Note that oversized vehicles pay an additional escort fee for the tunnel. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive inside the park is closed to private vehicles during peak season (shuttle buses only), but the Mt. Carmel Highway remains open to all vehicles year-round.

What is the most scenic route from St. George to Las Vegas?

The standard I-15 route from St. George to Las Vegas passes through the stunning Virgin River Gorge in Arizona, where the freeway cuts through a dramatic canyon with towering limestone walls. This 30-mile stretch is considered one of the most scenic sections of interstate in the country. For a more adventurous alternative, take Highway 91 south through Littlefield and the Gold Butte area, or detour through Valley of Fire State Park near Las Vegas for incredible red sandstone formations — though this adds extra time to the drive.

Are there scenic dirt roads near Zion?

Yes. Smithsonian Butte Road between Rockville and Apple Valley is the most popular scenic backroad near Zion, offering panoramic views of the park's western cliffs including the Towers of the Virgin. A high clearance vehicle is recommended, and the road should be avoided when wet. Kolob Terrace Road from Virgin up to Lava Point offers another scenic backroad option with high-elevation Zion views. Both roads are best driven in dry conditions from spring through fall.

When is the best time for fall color drives?

Fall color peak in Southern Utah varies by elevation. The Markagunt Scenic Byway (Hwy 14) near Cedar City and Cedar Breaks typically peaks in late September to early October with golden aspens. Highway 12 over Boulder Mountain peaks around the same time. Lower elevation drives like Zion Canyon and Snow Canyon see cottonwood color in late October to early November. The Virgin River corridor through Zion is especially beautiful in autumn. Check local reports for current conditions each year.

St. George, Utah is the perfect home base for some of the most scenic driving in the American Southwest. Snow Canyon State Park, just 15 minutes from downtown, delivers dramatic red and white Navajo sandstone formations and ancient lava fields on a short loop drive. Zion National Park's famed Mt. Carmel Highway, featuring the 1.1-mile tunnel and sweeping switchbacks, is under an hour away and ranks among the most iconic park roads in the National Park system. Kolob Fingers Scenic Road, accessible directly from I-15, provides a quick 5-mile climb to jaw-dropping views of Zion's red finger canyons without the crowds of the main canyon. Even the daily commute toward Mesquite through the Virgin River Gorge qualifies as world-class scenery, with sheer limestone walls rising hundreds of feet above the interstate.

For full-day driving adventures, Highway 12 Scenic Byway between Escalante and Torrey is routinely ranked among the most beautiful highways on Earth, traversing Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument's slickrock wilderness and climbing over Boulder Mountain's alpine forests. The Markagunt Scenic Byway (Highway 14) from Cedar City to Cedar Breaks National Monument offers mountain passes, aspen groves, and some of the best fall color in Southern Utah every late September. Smithsonian Butte Road provides an off-pavement adventure with panoramic views of Zion's western skyline, while Red Hills Parkway in St. George itself loops past dinosaur tracks and red rock overlooks for a quick urban scenic drive. Whether you have 20 minutes or an entire day, the roads around St. George deliver unforgettable landscapes at every turn.