The Smithsonian Butte Backcountry Byway

Trail Overview

The Smithsonian Butte Backcountry Byway is a main artery connecting Highway 59 to a local Rockville street. This street will take you to Route 9 which leads to the west entrance to Zion National Park. For those coming from the east on 59, this will cut almost an hour off your trip to Zion. A couple of years ago, this road was significantly upgraded with thousands of truckloads of road base turning what used to be a very rough/difficult road into a superbly well-maintained gravel road. This road is stable in almost all weather conditions and the county maintains a grader on the south end of the road. On some maps, this road is called Main Street. The road leads to several adventures, including Zion and Gooseberry Mesa. This mesa is a favorite of bike riders and off-roaders with some interesting trails and views, including a view of the mountain used for the Red Bull Rampage Bicycle Championships.

Photos of The Smithsonian Butte Backcountry Byway

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Difficulty

This road was recently upgraded so it is now easily traversed by almost all vehicle types. It is a gravel road, so maintaining the 25 MPH speed limit does help with limiting the throwing of rocks. This area does not get much rain, so the speed limit also helps with dust reduction. This is especially important, as the area is frequented by bicycles, hikers, and open riding vehicles. Courtesy is greatly appreciated by all. For those using the road from Zion to Route 59, the trip uphill is somewhat steep and often contains some washboard areas, as many 2WD vehicles spin tires on the gravel during the climb.

Technical Rating