Zion-Mt. Carmel Scenic Highway 9

Utah 9 connects I-15 with Springdale and the southern portion of Zion National Park.  The town of Springdale is very touristy.  On the east Utah 9 takes off from Highway 89 at Mount Carmel Junction.  The 1.1 mile Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel is located in Zion National Park on the Highway 89 side of the property.

Supermarket Las Vegas

There is a Whole Foods at 8855 W. Charleston Boulevard in Summerlin.  This can help with having fresh fruits, vegetables and fruit juices while siteseeing.  Eat fresh and keep moving.

Zion National Park Points of Interest

Riverside Walk - Zion National Park

The Zion National Park Nature Center was formerly Zion Inn. It was the office for rental cabins that were at the building site.  Today it has a taxidermy mountain lion on display.  It has various items for youngsters to enjoy.  It has a picnic area that has a rare feature in the park, shade.  The cottonwood trees provide a refreshing place for weary walkers.

The Zion National Park Visitors Center has the desk that issues back country permits and the bookstore.  The bookstore has later hours than the Visitors Center main area.  The bookstore has Zion National Park items and and a good selection of Southern Utah items.  The shuttle that goes through Zion Canyon begins at the Visitors Center.

The Zion National Park Human History Museum has the exhibits on the Zion National Park background.  In typical National Parks these exhibits would be in the Visitors Center. But Zion National Park is different. 

Sol Foods Supermarket

Sol Foods is in Springdale, Utah.  Springdale is the tourist town for Zion National Park.  The store offers made to order sandwiches.  There is also a large Subway restaurant close to the Zion National Park entrance.  Sol Foods has many colorful displays of non food items. 

Highway 12

Highway 12 is a scenic byway east of I-15 in Utah.   It is Utah's "All American Road."   It is an important transportation route for the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument. East of Panguitch it leads to the Red Canyon Visitor Center of the Forest Service. The Red Canyon Visitor Center is located in the Powell Ranger District.  It is an appealing building with displays about local activities.  The elevation is 7,100 feet; mountain buffs take note.  The staff provides good information about recreational opportunities in the area. Tunnels were carved out in 1925 for Highway 12 in the Red Canyon rocks for the road alignment.  The tunnels run for such a small distance that they might be called "circles." The Red Canyon area is so appealing it is hard to leave.  Highway 12 is the approach from the west for Bryce Canyon National Park. Highway 12 extends from Heritage Highway 89 al the way to Turrey; about 124 miles of scenic country. 

Virgin River Gorge

The Virgin River Gorge is the gorge between St. George, Utah and Beaver Dam, Arizona.  The roadway I-15  follows the Virgin River and includes at least seven crossings in this part of Arizona. The channel of the Virgin River was moved twelve times to complete this highway.  The Gorge area is hilly and scenic.  There was one rest area in the Arizona section of I-15 but that rest area was closed.  It is a frustrating drive for motorists that want to take in the beauty of the area.  There are no roadside stops in the Arizona section.  It is hard to keep up with the driving and view the scenery on this challenging road.  This is a beautiful stretch of road and it is very difficult for a motorist to see it.

Cedar City, Utah

Road side over look at Utah 14 East of Cedar City, Utah

Cedar City is located 5,846 feet above sea level on I-15 in Western Utah.  It is located 172 miles from Las Vegas.  It has most consumer items.  It can be a good base for going to the public lands in Southern Utah.  It has less businesses than St. George but it is located closer to the scenic areas in Southern Utah.

Zion National Park

Deer gingerly feeding - Zion National Park

Zion National Park has the immense bluffs that one would want to see in Arizona or perhaps Utah.   Zion National Park is surprisingly green.  One will have little trouble finding bushes and trees and  wild animals such as the one shown in this photograph. 

Bryce Canyon National Park

Over look of red Hoodoos - Bryce Canyon National Park

The arid climate of Southern Utah discouraged moving to the area.  Ebenezer Bryce was a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Bryce was ordered by the Church to take up residence in the Paria Valley.  He built a road there.  Paiute Indians had been in the area since about 1200 AD.  The hoodoos of the area are mysterious yet glorious. It could be said that the scenic appeal of Bryce Canyon surpasses that of any place in the forty eight states of the Union.

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Cedar Breaks National Monument - Utah

Cedar Breaks National Monument, is at an elevation of over 10,000 feet. At the overlook by the Visitor's Center the wind blows constantly. The Visitors Center building was constructed by the CCC. The Monument is only open to visitors from Memorial Day to mid-October. In the winter months, the  roads are closed.
The property is very much a walkers' place.  There is a lot to walk to, there is not much to drive to. 
The scenic areas are generally overlooks that are reached by footpaths. A trip to the Monument is a worthwhile trip. 

Highway 14

Driving East toward Cedar Breaks National Monument

Sheep were along the road when driving west toward Cedar City

Navajo Lake - Elevation 9,035 feet

Utah Highway 14 is is Cedar Mountain U-14, a scenic byway east of Cedar City in Utah.  Driving East of Cedar City U-14 intersects with U-148 to access the Cedar Breaks National Monument.  Further east along U-14 is Navajo Lake.  Navajo Lake was formed when lava flowed out from a volcano. The community of Duck Creek is located east of Navajo Lake along U-14.  Still further east is Heritage Highway 89.  Highway 89 can be used to access either Bryce Canyon National Park or Zion National Park.