Virgin River Gorge Scenic Drive is a 24.2 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Saint George, Utah that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for scenic driving and is accessible year-round.
Alltrails you need to make some adjustments to this trail usages. I have traveled this route several time It is Highway 15. It is not walker nor wheelchair friendly unless there is a side trail I’m missing. Please do not attempt to walk or use a wheelchair on this trail...it is a driving scenic route ONLY!
A good challenge finding routes but pleasant on a spring morning. Follow the cairns up to the west rim of Purgatory Canyon, then go wherever your energy desires. Follow the track west to ascend under Eye-in-the-Sky Arch. Continuing up to the tops of the plateau, I came down into the south arm, only to find impassible pour offs, so I circled south and descended to the main wash on slippery soils. Very austere and serene.
This drive is along a major highway, so as others say, it’s close to impossible to stop or even see much, especially if you’re driving. However, half way through there is an exit for Virgin River Canyon Campground. I think this is BLM land. You can pay a small fee for day use or overnight camping if spots are available. There are a few trails to walk here, several go to the river. Seeing the view from the car is one thing, but I had the opportunity to see it from a bus window as well, so I could also see into the canyon from that height. That was fun.
The view was amazing driving from Zion to Las Vegas the only thing I would warn about is thinking that scenic view means ability to get out and take pictures or even drive slow.... The people around me were driving so fast and there was no way to stop and take a picture but it is beautiful and breathtaking
I started in St. George going southwest toward Littlefield, Arizona. This section is just desert country, but after you cross the state line, it's not far to the Virgin River canyon. A short section of the Interstate is a bridge that goes above the Virgin River. (both north and south bound)
Being from the east, we don't have a jaded view of the desert, rocks, hills, mountains and passes that comprise a route like this. We've done it twice, once from Las Vegas to Zion NP, and once from Zion to the Virgin River Casino - a scenic oddity and treat in itself, being part of a large manmade golf oasis in the middle of the desert. Be careful of some crosswinds, and of tandem rig drivers - unless you're used to being next to one in a hilly, curvy pass. Otherwise, a really nice drive.