Trying to get to zion from the south. Best route.

What would you consider to be a best route? Interstate the whole way? Side roads? I use Google Maps to show me the way and it's been very beneficial. I also use the Motor Carrier's Atlas to see if the route is approved for truckers.

When I did it a few years ago from Vegas. I took Interstate 15. Great route.

I too came up from Las Vegas using I-15 to Utah 9, which goes all the way to Springdale at the entrance to the park. I stayed at the Zion River Resort in Virgin, UT, which is very nice. Note that I-15 goes through the Virgin River Canyon in Arizona, which has ascents and descents that are steeper than you may be used to on most interstates. They are necessary since the highway passes through some very rugged, though scenic country. Apparently it is known as one of the top engineering feats of the US Interstate system.

Be careful of the River Resort inthe rainy season, its subject to Flash floods. A bunch of campers were killed some years ago.

Zion National Park | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

Diannat60
Explorer
Jun 22, 2017
2gypsies wrote:
Diannat60 wrote:
folivier wrote:
A couple months ago took 89 up from Phoenix to 389 then 59 into Hurricane. Nice road. 89A is also a good road.

How long did it take you?

Plan on two long days. This is the very best way to go.

What camground?
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jun 22, 2017
Diannat60 wrote:
folivier wrote:
A couple months ago took 89 up from Phoenix to 389 then 59 into Hurricane. Nice road. 89A is also a good road.

How long did it take you?

Plan on two long days. From Phoenix you'd take I-17 north to Flagstaff then 89 north to Page to Kanab, Utah. If you want to drive the tunnels and steep descent into Zion and if your RV is sized for it, you could continue on 89 north and pick up UT 9 into Zion.

If you want to avoid the tunnels then from Kanab head a few miles back into Arizona to Fredonia then pick up AZ 389 which becomes UT 59 to Utah 9 at Hurricane, UT then east into Zion.

Out of Flagstaff taking 89 north you could also pick up 89A to Jacob Lake and continue with either of the above directions. However, you will have a steep climb to Jacob Lake (no lake, by the way) and a downhill into Fredonia/Kanab.

The easiest is 89 to Page to Kanab and your options from there. Either way is a very scenic drive.

You're going to have some heat to contend with in Phoenix and Zion... but it's 'dry' heat, not like your Louisiana 'humid' heat! :) Enjoy!!
Diannat60
Explorer
Jun 22, 2017
folivier wrote:
A couple months ago took 89 up from Phoenix to 389 then 59 into Hurricane. Nice road. 89A is also a good road.

How long did it take you?
retispcsi
Explorer
Jun 22, 2017
Went from Zion to Las Vegas on I 15 a couple of years ago. The state Park in Hurricane Utah is really nice and fairly priced. About 45 minute to Zion. The state park has a reservoir and you can go fishing.
Diannat60
Explorer
Jun 22, 2017
How long did it take you to get to Hurricane?
folivier
Explorer
Jun 22, 2017
A couple months ago took 89 up from Phoenix to 389 then 59 into Hurricane. Nice road. 89A is also a good road.
Diannat60
Explorer
Jun 21, 2017
Ok,we are coming from Louisiana.
bukhrn
Nomad
Jun 21, 2017
Diannat60 wrote:
Anyone go up Hwy 89?
Yup, but we cut off & went up 389/59 to Hurricane & in the West side as we were staying at Watchman CG, plus that way we didn't have to pay to go through the tunnel.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jun 21, 2017
Diannat60 wrote:
Anyone go up Hwy 89?
Great way to go. Gives you access to N Rim, Zion, Bryce and the many other wonderful parks in Utah.

Sadly we are now size restricted from using the route 9 eastern entrance to Zion.
jolooote
Explorer
Jun 21, 2017
Be careful of the River Resort inthe rainy season, its subject to Flash floods. A bunch of campers were killed some years ago.