Find yourself in the heart of color country with a drive down Southern Utah’s Smithsonian Butte Back Country Byway. On this route, rediscover the lands that explorer John Wesley Powell encountered in the late 1800s; the geography remains as impressive as it did in his day. Striated cliffs, scenic canyons, and imposing bluffs make up some of the wonders you’ll pass as you drive the nine-mile byway.
As a Type I byway, Smithsonian Butte is generally safe for two-wheel drive vehicles, but four-wheel drive might be necessary during heavy rain. Although no services exist on the byway between Big Plain Junction and Rockville, you can stock up on necessities in Springdale.
While driving the byway you may want to stop off at the Rockville Bridge and fish in the Virgin River, or continue just a few miles north of Rockville, a byway terminus to Springdale, a gateway to Zion National Park.
Grafton, Utah, is another site not far from the byway that you might want to explore. A historic ghost town, Grafton is used today as a film site for movies.
Explore this Southern Utah highlight, and you'll find much more than just a butte. Think of Powell as you hike Zion, and stroll the movie-set streets of Grafton. With history, recreation, and geography, the Smithsonian Butte Back Country Byway offers its own unique brand of appeal.
