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Imagine driving down a road that follows
a beautiful river, surrounded by many
colors, that showcases a dramatic red
backdrop. You can do that in the Springdale
area, and two such drives are the Zion
Canyon Scenic Drive and the Zion-Mt. Carmel
Highway. Here the destination is not the
point because the journey is gorgeous.
 Zion
Canyon Scenic Drive travels up Zion
Canyon from Springdale, and the beauty
of this narrow canyon along with the sound
of the Virgin River will dazzle your senses.
Fremont cottonwood, willow, and velvet
ash trees supply shade while flowers,
like the Moonlily, provide color for your
ride. Animals like the mule deer or cottontail
rabbit might even join your journey. However,
remember to look up into the trees because
many birds, including American Dippers
and Black-headed Grosbeaks, spend the
day in them trying to escape the heat
of the day. Most of the year you will
have a chauffeur since you have to ride
Zion National Park's free shuttles. These
shuttles stop at several hotels, shops,
and restaurants in Springdale and at all
major trailheads in the canyon.
On the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway
you will marvel at the great works of
both nature and man. The Checkerboard
Mesa (see picture) and Zion Canyon Overlook
beckon you because they are evidence of
nature's great power and artistry. This
drive is more than worth the time because
you will see where water etched a checkerboard-like
pattern and other shapes on this mesa,
and Zion Canyon is as breathtaking from
above as within. On the other hand, man's
great power is also apparent as this road
was built in this treacherous region.
In fact, there are two tunnels on this
route because those who built the road
had to blast through cliffs, and you will
wonder how difficult it was to build the
tunnel that is just over one mile long.
You will not need a chauffeur because
this road is open to private vehicles
year round.
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Maps
