Las Vegas to Zion by motorcycle
Plenty of Zion trips start at the Las Vegas airport. The ride up is mostly interstate, but it has one of the best stretches of I-15 anywhere, the Virgin River Gorge, and the last half hour on UT-9 drops you straight at the park gate in Springdale.
The route at a glance
- Start: Las Vegas
- Roads: I-15 north into Utah past St. George, then east on UT-9 to Springdale
- Distance: about 160 miles (James Kaiser); Utah.com puts it at about 163 miles (Utah.com)
- Riding time: about 2.5 hours without stops (James Kaiser). Plan on half a day with fuel, food and a photo stop in the gorge.
- Park fee: Zion charges per motorcycle. Fees and tunnel rules: Zion by motorcycle.
Mile by mile
Las Vegas to the Utah line. North on I-15 toward Salt Lake City (James Kaiser). Fast, open desert interstate. Leave early in summer.
The Virgin River Gorge. Roughly 100 miles from Las Vegas, I-15 drops into the Virgin River Gorge (James Kaiser): canyon walls close in on both sides and the road bends with the river. It is still an interstate with trucks, so ride it with traffic, not for speed.
St. George. I-15 crosses into Utah just south of St. George (James Kaiser). The last big town for fuel and food before the park.
Two ways off I-15: - Exit 16, UT-9 via Hurricane. About 10 miles north of St. George, take exit 16 onto State Highway 9, which runs about 30 miles east to Zion (James Kaiser). Hurricane is about 20 miles, a 40-minute ride, from the South Entrance (James Kaiser). - Exit 27, UT-17 via Toquerville. Utah.com's route: exit 27 for UT-17 toward Toquerville and Hurricane, then east on UT-9 to Springdale (Utah.com).
Both meet on UT-9 for the last stretch up the Virgin River to Springdale, right next to Zion's busiest entrance (James Kaiser).
Side trips worth the time
Valley of Fire. About 55 miles north of Las Vegas, just off I-15 (James Kaiser). A good first stop if you leave Vegas early; check its entry fee before you go.
Kolob Canyons. Zion's quieter section, about 40 miles north of Zion Canyon off I-15 at exit 40, with a five-mile scenic road, Kolob Canyons Road (NPS Kolob Canyons). Stop at the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center to show a pass or pay the Zion entrance fee (NPS Kolob Canyons). Worth it if you are carrying on north to Cedar City or Salt Lake City.
Riding tips
- Heat: the desert between Las Vegas and St. George is the hottest part of most Utah trips. Ride it in the morning and carry water.
- Wind: expect crosswinds on the open desert stretches and in the gorge.
- Rules once you cross into Utah (helmets, eye protection, lane filtering): Riding in Utah.
Keep going
- The park itself: Zion by motorcycle.
- Stopping in St. George: St. George and Snow Canyon, a short ride off I-15.
- The next day: Zion to Bryce Canyon or the shorter Zion to Kanab.
- Carrying on north on I-15: Cedar City and Cedar Breaks.
- The whole loop: Utah's Mighty 5 by motorcycle (end it back in Las Vegas instead of Salt Lake City).
Rent a bike
Booking opens soon. Until then, use the ride guides to plan your trip.