The Not So Short Cut to Zion
Zion is one of most visited parks in the United States and it certainly does not disappoint, but along the way you may want to consider taking a detour through Duck Village to stand out on Strawberry Point.
Hit the Road
According to Google Maps, blasting down highway 15 to Zion from the Salt Lake City area will take around 4 hours and 30 minutes. The drive can be visually appealing for some as you pass over peaks and valleys, but for the sleepy co-driver it could be a great opportunity to charge those batteries. Things become more interesting once sections of the Dixie National Forest make their presence known.
Stay the Course
The area has numerous check points worthy of your time, such as Cedar Breaks, Brian Head Resort, or Mammoth Caves, but a spot worth exploring is Strawberry Point. If you exit the highway in Cedar City, Utah look for highway 14 and head south for about 40 minutes. It is a tree lined, wild life packed, two lane road. As you pass through Duck Village keep your eyes out for Strawberry Point Road (FR058) and turn right. Follow this well maintained dirt road for about 30 minutes through the valley of cabins and green fields. Signs were not clear on this route so relying on a good map with listed fire roads will get you to your destination. I recommend the GAIA GPS. If you follow FR058 that entire way you will come to a loop at the very end of your drive. This is where you will find a public restroom, limited parking and small wooden sign that marks Strawberry Point.
You Have Arrived at Your Destination
Now it is time to stretch those legs. Take a short walk out to what is known as Strawberry Point and find yourself in awe over the epic sight lines. There is a narrow cat walk several hundred feet in the air (top image) where brave souls can tip toe out onto for the perfect profile pic or simply to get the adrenaline flowing. The nearby rock features (image below) resemble what can be found in the infamous Bryce Canyon National Park. Some claim that you can even see a part of the Grand Canyon from this point (maybe if you are superman).
Keep Trekking
Once you have your fill of the vast scenery at Strawberry Point there are numerous ways to get back on the highway. We opted for a different route on the way out and found some a group of deer and several campsites that would be perfect for large RVs or even group camping. I highly recommend this area for anyone who is looking for a weekend get-a-way with their off highway vehicles.
Check out the GAIA GPS app for your next off road adventure: https://www.gaiagps.com/
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