Grafton Mesa Trailhead

Grafton Mesa Trailhead sits above the Grafton ghost town outside Rockville, on the doubletrack road that climbs to the mesa's overlook of Zion Canyon's south side. Both hikers and mountain bikers use it, though the descent off the plateau edge is technical enough that it's best known as a downhill bike route.

Access and trail details

• From Rockville, cross the Virgin River at Bridge Street, then follow the Smithsonian Butte Backcountry Byway to the start of Grafton Mesa Road.
• The full loop runs about 9.5 miles with roughly 1,100 feet of elevation gain, topping out near 5,000 feet at the mesa's edge.
• The overlook offers wide views south across Zion Canyon; the route also passes near Grafton, a ghost town abandoned since 1944 that's a popular stop in its own right.
• Best season is late March through late November.