1 mile in length Difficulty: Extremely Difficult.The Old Wood Road earned its namesake after it was built by pioneers to access Grafton Mesa from the town below. Free travel information from the official state tourist bureau. Grafton Mesa videos. October and May are some of the best times to visit.You should be able to find a reservation somewhere.Keep trying! Gooseberry Mesa is a well known mountain biking area; there is good camping with previously established fire rings. Dangerous RV Signs Learn more: Boondocking 101 Facebook ... in Wire/Grafton Mesa #99 in Utah #1,678 Overall. Offering a variety of intermediate singletrack and slickrock combined with amazing vantage points overlooking Zion and Grafton ghost town makes this one of the friendliest trails in the area. Dry Camping Basics 14 trails with 70 photos Eco & Green The weather in May is nice,kids usually get out of school late May or early June so the throngs of people have not showed up yet.The Narrows will have probably just opened.Overall a good time to go. Campground Description & Information The Smithsonian Butte Back Country Byway is only 9 miles long but figure on taking 45 minutes to drive it as it is a narrow and windy route. Privacy Policy Then as you cross Wire Mesa, you’ll come to the road junction that leads north to Grafton. Once on top of the plateau, there are 4x4 routes onto the mesa arms that are open to camping. There is no camping allowed within 1/2 mile of the main road (Smithsonian Butte road). Good camping up on Gooseberry Mesa. Noticed a lot of new, permanent signage regarding camping restrictions on the Mesa this season. Mountain Bike Trails Near Rockville, Utah. Best California Beaches North Gun Laws and RV Travel Guide 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Friday During Grafton Ghost Town days, this was an old mule track to access the mesa-top, now eroded into narrow downhill-only singletrack. No bathrooms, no tables, no water It's more than 30 minutes from Zion visitor center, but is the closest quiet free camping since the Smithsonian Road near Grafton became impassable except for high clearance 4x4. The first obvious campsite is on your left, often called "Rockville Campsite", with numerous others interspersed on the route to the top of the Butte. There several backcountry campsites on the Mesa, with the northwestern-most site giving the best views overlooking the Virgin River Valley and the Grafton Ghost Town. Completed in December 2016, Wire Mesa has quickly become a local favorite. So larger rigs stop too soon and get a ticket (C) Campground Details and Amenities: free, All year, All ages, Tents, 20 ft max RV length, 4694 ft elev, dispersed, See the website PDF link. Situated in Colorado City, this campground is 3.7 mi (5.9 km) from Water Canyon Trailhead and within 20 mi (32 km) of Smithsonian Butte and Gooseberry Mesa. Go Explore! Noticed a lot of new, permanent signage regarding camping restrictions on the Mesa this season. John Wesley Powell traveled through this area in the late 1800’s. Coming soon! Once over the bridge continue on asphalt until the road splits. Mountain Biking Grafton Mesa Add a review #244 of 693 mountain bike trails in Utah #6,482 in the world. Alternative access is 2 miles outside of Apple Valley. grafton mesa smithsonian butte road rockville utah usa. Warning! Trail is mostly straight but has a couple of twists and bends. We don't have any videos of this trail yet. RV Tips for Beginners Yoga Retreats (435) 772-3237 r aft o n R o a d You can still see remnants of the initial construction holding the trail in place. Two ways to access. Lots of loose chunk, boulders and some steep rolls down rock stacks. There are no services along the road, the nearest full-service community being Springdale at the entrance to Zion National Park. Haunted Hotels, Extended Stays Support RVs Without Warranty All Rights Reserved. The Smithsonian Butte Back Country Byway is rated as a Type I byway, meaning it is usually passable by 2WD vhicles, although any significant rainfall can change that rating in a hurry. RV LED Lights Camping > The Byway is just south of Zion National Park, running between the towns of Rockville and Big Plain Junction. Twitter To avoid $1xx ticket, you must be at least a half mile from byway, High clearance is required, 4WD recommended to do so. Add A Truck Stop When doing the loop, consider adding Wire Mesaand Big Fatty Mesa to enjoy Advertising Grafton/Gooseberry Mesa camping restrictions? Add A Campground Road Guides, Grafton Mesa - Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway, free, All year, All ages, Tents, 20 ft max RV length, 4694 ft elev, dispersed, See the website PDF link. The days are long here in April and I was totally fine with seeing them as long … The Byway is just south of Zion National Park, running between the towns of Rockville and Big Plain Junction. It was he who named Smithsonian Butte, primarily because of its impressive stature and coloring. Copyright RedRover Camping © 2018. Site Map Many scenic and secluded spots, both in the trees and out on the mesa. Named after Grafton, Utah, and the nearby Grafton Mesa, the men's Altra Grafton shoes are true trail hikers with the soul of approach/canyoneering shoes. Add A Room To get there, take the Byway south off of Grafton Road / S 205 from Rockville going up the Byway until you gain the top of the mesa with a clear, marked turnoff to the right. After about a mile the road begins a steep ascent without campsites to the top of the Butte and after a strong rain requires a 4WD vehicle to make the top. Terms Monday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Thursday The views atop Wire Mesa are as good as any found on Gooseberry Mesa and Little Creek. How Old Are My RV Tires? The grippy Grafton ($140) from Altra is the brand’s latest take on a hiker. You’ll then head back up the mesa and will work your way back to the Grafton Mesa aid station for the second time, then back to the Goosebump aid station for a … I am curious if … Join now, Finding North Without a Compass Camping World, Good Sam Insurance Agency, Camping World RV Sales, Good Sam Life Insurance Central, Coast Resorts, Good Sam Life & Health, Good Sam TravelAssist, Good Sam Roadside Assistance, Good Sam Extended Service Plan, Events, Tours and Rallies, RV Loans, MotorHome, Rv.net, Trailer Life, Good Sam Rewards Visa A side road just out of Rockville leads to the historical ghost town at Grafton, a site often used by the Hollywood types as a frontier movie set. There are rock fire rings, but check on current fire regulations. 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Wednesday No bathrooms, no tables, no water It's more than 30 minutes from Zion visitor center, but is the closest quiet free camping since the Smithsonian Road near Grafton became impassable except for high clearance 4x4. 4X4 RVs: Wandering Off Road This road is very rough and 4 wheel drive recommended. Grafton Mesa Mountain Bike, Hike, Trail Running trails near Hurricane, Utah. For expert riders only! Real Suites Add Other Places, AllStays Classic Guides Description The Wire Mesa Loop is a fun singletrack with amazing vistas of Zion National Park and it provides a different hiking experience for the area. No camping within 1/2 mile of either side of the road along the Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway. Cost of Renting an RV Cross Grafton Bridge and follow Road signs to Smithsonian Butte. Any harm to cultural resources could result in trail closure.The trail begins on the edge of Grafton Mesa, with a beautiful vista of the gates of Zion National Park. Go left on the dirt road. This area is composed of the same landforms that make up the wonders of Zion, they just see a lot less people. The trail called Show Me The Money starts on the Grafton Wash trail near the Smithsonian Butte road. Grafton Mesa - Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway - 6.77 mi / 10.89 km Hi-Road RV and Campground - 8.10 mi / 13.03 km Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort - 8.53 mi / 13.72 km Zion River Resort - 10.19 mi / 16.39 km Tent Rocks Spectacular Views Beautiful boondocking sites overlooking Zion Nation Park and Virgin Utah. The campground is located 38 miles southwest of Moab, near Roan Bailey Mesa, and is somewhat cooler than Moab during the summer. The Town of Rockville is considered a rural, residential, and agricultural community. Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Death in Death Valley Grafton Mesa - Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway Wire Mesa - Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway 32 miles southwest of Southern Trailer Park: Desert Skies Resort 32 miles northwest of Southern Trailer Park: Honeycomb Rocks Campground The route crosses the Virgin River just outside of Rockville and then crosses Horse Valley Wash before starting to wind its way up the hill above the valley. The road can be rough, and very muddy (impassible) if it has rained. 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Tuesday Since its founding by Mormon pioneers in 1862 Rockville has maintained the integrity of its historical town plan and has been referred to by historians as "the last treasure in Utah". Many scenic and secluded spots, both in the trees and out on the mesa. Along the route you’ll be catching some excellent views of Zion Canyon, the Vermilion Cliffs and Canaan Mountain Wilderness. Jobs, Connect The official ride is the mesa road plus the old coach trail off the mesa. Spa Resorts It connects back to the mesa DT (and the northern trail More Money) after 1.4 miles.In the middle of this trail is a fun 0.8 mile alternate route called Lazy Money. At top of Mesa turn right at sign for Gooseberry Mesa. Luxury Hotels Saved by Dan Adventurer Contact Us The Smithsonian Butte Back Country Byway is only 9 miles long but figure on taking 45 minutes to drive it as it is a narrow and windy route. Add a video. The upper 1/2 sections are a very rough technical rock garden on a steep descent. So larger rigs stop too soon and get a ticket (C), Wire Mesa - Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway. Buy online at Outdoor Gear Exchange Hotels By Chain At RedRover our purpose is to help people find great local Campgrounds & Great Resorts. Singletrack. Bug and Mice Control in RV Closed. Sharing a name with the rugged Grafton Mesa, the women's Altra Grafton hiking shoes are trail trekkers with the soul of approach and canyoneering shoes, ready to go off-trail and into a slot canyon. Affiliate https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/smithsonian-butte-road-drive Recommended Users: Mountain Bikers, Hikers. Expect a steep, rocky descent along the entire trail, with sharp turns, sudden drop-offs and precipitous exposure. Home The most comprehensive resource for discovering and booking unique outdoor stays including tent camping, RV parks, cabins, treehouses, and glamping. Do We Need Physical Maps Now? Staying on the Byway, you’ll soon be working your way around the foot of Smithsonian Butte before descending onto Big Plain and making the straight run to Big Plain Junction. Zion Canyon Campground 479 Zion Park Blvd. Well marked sign. Grafton Mesa is part of the same mountain as Gooseberry Mesa, located just west of Zion National Park. There are rock fire rings, but check on current fire regulations. Discussion Starter • #1 • Sep 17, 2012. 1,596 Posts . Thanksgiving on Grafton Mesa near Zion A subreddit for campers concerned more about the act of camping and less concerned about hiking long distances or light gear. Cell Phone Dangers in the Wild Ski Resorts Camping & Lodging. More about AllStays The Grafton, named for Grafton Mesa in the canyoneering hotspot of Southern Utah, is a true Altra trail hiker with the soul of an approach/canyoneering shoe. UT > Pet Friendly (Photo: Sean Zimmerman-Wall) Doing the loop in both directions is a great way to spend the morning and knock out 15 miles before heading over to the more technical features of Grafton Mesa and the South Rim of Gooseberry. B & Bs After that you eventually drop down off the mesa to an aid station at the bottom of a wash near the ghost town’s cemetery (mile 57.5). Avoiding Sunburns On Hikes It’s got a name that celebrates Utah’s Grafton Mesa and a design that … Situated in the mountains, this campground is 6.5 mi (10.5 km) from Hop Valley Trail and within 16 mi (25 km) of Pah Tempe Hot Springs and Gooseberry Mesa. Rockville Campgrounds, WebsiteView MapReviews Photo Search*Add ReviewNavigation*Update InfoStreetView*, Sign up for more pure information, faster, no ads, privacy, full screen maps, more filters, layers for traffic, biking, transit, over half a million search combinations. Is Wal_Mart Overnight Parking Safe? Grafton Ghost Town and Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park are also within 20 mi (32 km). I noticed that a lot of the crappy party sites have boulders in the entrances, are effectively shut down, etc. Dogs In National Forests. Use Your Watch As Compass 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Saturday ... Red Cliffs Campground, Red Cliffs Recreation Area, St. George, Utah Campsite Photos - Duration: 1:36. 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