smithsonian butte back country byway

Smithsonian Butte road is reasonable in 2wd vehicles if conditions are dry and you drive carefully. Having driven this route a number of times, my experience is that the crux is the climb up from the Rockville side. Once you are on top, the road is much better. There are nice views back toward Zion Canyon from the top. The road gives access to Gooseberry Mesa's excellent mountain biking trails. Continuing on, the road comes out at Apple Valley on Utah Highway-59. This allows a loop back through Hurricane, or access to the Hildale - Colorado City, AZ area. Outsiders are not welcomed in Hildale / Colorado City (the towns are dying polygamous enclaves). It is a unique cultural experience to turn off the highway and drive through town. Waters Canyon, on the north edge of Hildale is a nice hike similar to what you find in Zion National Park.The photo for this attraction is misleading. The photo shown is actually of the Colorado River near Fisher Towers, almost 300 miles to the east.

Picture is misleading. I don't recall any water along this byway except atRockville. Still, pretty drive.

We tried this road in a station-wagon. Thank goodness we had front wheel drive. The road was fine from Rockville all the way to the top. But, all of a sudden, we were in mud. I did not dare stop. Later we passed a 4 wheeler stuck past his axles. We were throwing rooster-tails of mud and sliding all over. We made it to the pavement somehow.