Smithsonian Butte is in southwest Utah 40 miles northeast of Saint George. The short nine-mile route follows Smithsonian Butte County Road between Rockville and UT 59. The county road is a graded dirt road suitable for most vehicles. Because of sharp curves and a half-mile of steep grade, large RVs and vehicles pulling trailers are discouraged from traveling the byway. Smithsonian Butte can usually be completed under dry conditions and should not be attempted after rain or snowfall. The road on the north-facing slope of Smithsonian Butte can remain covered with snow during winter.
Smithsonian Butte Back Country Byway is best driven from south to north for the spectacular views into Zion National Park. Be cautious, the turn onto the byway from NM 59 is tight. Once you’re on the byway heading north, you are treated to views of Smithsonian Butte ahead of you. To the east is Canaan Mountain and the Vermilion Cliffs. Nearly three miles into your scenic journey you’ll reach Grafton Wash Canyon. From here you can see the distant Pine Valley Mountains to the northwest; you have reached the byway’s highest point at 4,920 feet.
The byway begins heading east, winding across Wire Mesa. Soon you begin the steep descent from Wire Mesa into Horse Valley Wash. Before you is a spectacular view of the Virgin River Valley. Be cautious, though, because this portion of the road descends 800 feet in a little more than a half mile.
Once you’ve safely descended from Wire Mesa, you’ll come to a junction. You can turn left (west) and visit the ghost town of Grafton or head east and end your scenic experience in Rockville. The present site of Grafton was settled in 1862 after the original town was washed away in the big flood of 1859. The town was abandoned in the early 1900s.