This view looks south on Interstate 15 from Utah 130 overpass at the North Cedar City (Business Loop I-15) interchange. The interchange includes decorative rock art between the freeway and on-/off-ramps. Photo taken 08/20/11.
Interstate 15 south
About eight miles south of Beaver, Interstate 15 and Historic U.S. 91 leave Beaver County and enter Iron County, the penultimate county along Interstate 15 in the state of Utah. Iron County had a population of 33,779 as of the 2000 Census, and that figure increased to 46,163 as of the 2010 Census. The seat of Iron County is Parowan, and the largest city (and home to Southern Utah University) is Cedar City. Photo taken 08/15/10.
The next exit along Interstate 15 south is Exit 100, Freemont Road (Ranch Exit) (one mile). Photo taken 08/15/10.
No services are available at Exit 100, Freemont Road. Photo taken 08/15/10.
A single-circuit power line crosses over Interstate 15 prior to the Exit 100 offramp. This power line was altered and modernized between 2010 and 2011. Photos taken 08/21/11 and 08/15/10.
Southbound Interstate 15 meets Exit 100, Freemont Road (Ranch Exit). The next interchange along southbound is five miles ahead. Photo taken 08/15/10.
This Interstate 15 south reassurance route marker is posted after the onramp from Freemont Road. Photo taken 08/20/11.
A mileage sign along Interstate 15 south provides the distance to Exit 95, Junction Utah 20 (four miles); St. George (90 miles); and Las Vegas (208 miles). Photo taken 08/15/10.
The next exit along Interstate 15 south is Exit 95, Junction Utah 20 east to U.S. 89 en route to Panguitch and Kanab (one mile). Photo taken 07/13/08.
Utah 20 east to U.S. 89 provides more direct access to some of Southern Utah's and northern Arizona's most beautiful parks, including Bryce Canyon, Zion, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and Grand Canyon. Photo taken 07/13/08.
An east-west state route, Utah 20 serves as a major link between Interstate 15 and U.S. 89. Utah 20 extends for 20.492 miles between the two routes, offering the best route between Iron County and Garfield County. By offering a direct route between these two major north-south corridors, Utah 20 also one of the access points for Interstate 15 travelers to connect to U.S. 89 south and Interstate 17 south to Phoenix, Arizona (since there is currently no direct Interstate highway that leads due south toward Phoenix). Utah 20 stays entirely rural without passing through any cities along its route. Utah 20 ends at U.S. 89 at Bear Valley Junction, which is midway between Panguitch to the south and Circleville to the north. Photo taken 07/13/08.
Southbound Interstate 15 reaches Exit 95, Junction Utah 20 east to U.S. 89. At Bear Valley Junction, turn south on U.S. 89 to Panguitch, Kanab, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, and Phoenix. Use U.S. 89 north to Circleville. Photo taken 07/13/08.
The interchange between Interstate 15 and Utah 20 is a standard diamond. Photo taken 07/13/08.
Looking at the offramp, a Utah 20 trailblazer shield points the way to eastbound. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Interstate 15 passes under the Utah 20 bridge. Photo taken 07/13/08.
Another Interstate 15 south reassurance shield is posted after the Utah 20 interchange. The next interchange along Interstate 15 south is Exit 87, Lunt Park South Rest Area. Photo taken 07/13/08.
A pair of high-voltage transmission lines pass overhead shortly after the Utah 20 interchange. These lines travel northeast toward a large substation northeast of Richfield in the Sevier Valley. In the other direction, one of the lines curves southwest and connects to a substation near Central off Utah 18. Photo taken 08/15/10.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Parowan (16 miles), Cedar City (32 miles), and Las Vegas (203 miles). Photo taken 07/13/08.
Drowsy and fatigued drivers are encouraged to depart the freeway at Exit 87, Lunt Park South Rest Area. Photo taken 07/13/08.
The freeway continues southwest between Utah 20 and Parowan. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Interstate 15 nears Milepost 90. Photo taken 08/15/10.
An overpass carries traffic over Interstate 15 to connect the east and west frontage roads. Room is available here for a future ranch access interchange. Photo taken 08/15/10.
The next exit along Interstate 15 south is Exit 87, Lunt Park South Rest Area (one mile). Unlike the public-private partnership UDOT rest stops, this is a more traditional rest area with restrooms and walking area. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Interstate 15 south approaches Exit 87, Lunt Park South Rest Area (one-half mile). Photo taken 08/15/10.
Southbound Interstate 15 reaches Exit 87, Lunt Park South Rest Area. Photo taken 08/15/10.
The Lunt Park South Rest Area features restrooms, telephone, and grassy lawn with walking paths. A map with an odd orientation (north points to the left, while south is to the right) is mounted on the wall of the restroom building to showcase some of the nearby scenic areas easily accessible from the Interstate 15 corridor. Photos taken 08/20/11.
Interstate 15 nears Milepost 87 just south of the rest area. Photo taken 08/15/10.
The next exit along Interstate 15 south is Exit 82, Junction Utah 271 and Historic U.S. 91 south to Paragonah (one mile). Paragonah is a town of 470 people (as of the 2000 Census) that incorporated on April 3, 1916. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Utah 271 follows Historic U.S. 91 south to Paragonah for a distance of 5.647 miles. The state highway ends at Business Loop I-15 and Utah 274 in Parowan. Old U.S. 91 will not rejoin the freeway until Exit 71 (south of Parowan), so this is a long independent segment of old U.S. highway. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Southbound Interstate 15 meets Exit 82, Junction Utah 271 and Historic U.S. 91 south to Paragonah. Photo taken 08/15/10.
An Interstate 15 south reassurance shield is posted after the onramp from Utah 271. Photo taken 07/13/08.
This mileage sign along Interstate 15 south provides the distance to Parowan (five miles) and Cedar City (22 miles). Photo taken 07/13/08.
The next two exits along Interstate 15 south serve the city of Parowan, which was first settled on January 13, 1851, and is known as the "Mother Town of Southern Utah." Parowan is the seat of Iron County, sits at an elevation of 5,970 feet above sea level, and had a population of 2,790 as of the 2010 Census. Photo taken 08/15/10.
The next exit along Interstate 15 south is Exit 78, Junction Business Loop I-15 and Utah 274 south to Parowan. Utah 274 connects with Historic U.S. 91 at the intersection with Utah 271. It is a fairly short state highway, extending between Interstate 15 and Utah 143 for a distance of 1.257 miles. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Another in the series of Interstate 15 business loops departs the southbound freeway at Exit 78. Business Loop I-15 flows south from Exit 78 with Utah 274 via Main Street into Parowan. The designation co-signs with Utah 274 past its junction with Utah 271 until Utah 274's end at Utah 143 (Center Street). Utah 143 enters the town from the Cedar Breaks National Monument and Brian Head to the south. The state highway follows Center Street, Main Street, and 200 South to Interstate 15 at Exit 75. Business Loop I-15 follows Utah 143 back to its parent. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Southbound Interstate 15 reaches Exit 78, Junction Business Loop I-15 and Utah 274/Main Street south to Parowan. Old U.S. 91 will not rejoin the freeway until Exit 71. Photo taken 08/15/10.
An Interstate 15 south reassurance shield is posted after the onramp from Utah 274. Photo taken 08/15/10.
The next exit along Interstate 15 south is Exit 75, Junction Business Loop I-15 north and Utah 143 east to Parowan (one mile). The business loop shares pavement with both Utah 143 and Utah 274. A portion of the section of business route shared with Utah 274 (between Utah 143 [200 South] and Utah 271) is part of Historic U.S. 91. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Utah 143 is designated as Brian Head-Panguitch Lake Scenic Byway and is also known as Utah's Patchwork Parkway. This very scenic highway extends east from Interstate 15 Exit 75 through Parowan to Panguitch via the Markagunt Plateau, Brian Head, Cedar Breaks, and Panguitch Lake for a total distance of 51.206 miles. Utah 143 ends at U.S. 89 in Panguitch and thus is en route to Bryce Canyon and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Southbound Interstate 15 meets Exit 75, Junction Business Loop I-15 north and Utah 143 east to Parowan, Cedar Breaks, Brian Head, and Panguitch. This interchange marks the western terminus of Utah 143. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Exit 75 is a standard diamond interchange, with Utah 143 passing over the freeway. Photo taken 08/15/10.
An Interstate 15 south reassurance shield is posted after the onramp from Utah 143. Photo taken 08/15/10.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Summit (five miles), Cedar City (15 miles), and Las Vegas (182 miles). Photo taken 08/15/10.
Storm clouds gathered on this hot summer day. Photo taken 07/13/08.
The next exit along Interstate 15 south is Exit 71, Junction Old U.S. Highway 91 north to Summit (one mile). This section of Old U.S. 91 (from Summit northeast to Parowan) is locally maintained. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Old U.S. Highway 91 travels southwest from this interchange en route to Enoch, which is located southwest of here via the old road. U.S. 91 will remain separate from Interstate 15, crossing the freeway again at Exit 62 (Junction Business Loop I-15 and Utah 130 for Cedar City). Photo taken 08/15/10.
At this point, Interstate 15 reaches a summit of 5,950 feet above sea level. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Southbound Interstate 15 meets Exit 71, Junction Old U.S. Highway 91 northeast to Summit and southwest to Enoch. Photo taken 07/13/08.
Interstate 15 passes under Old U.S. Highway 91. Photo taken 07/13/08.
An Interstate 15 south reassurance shield is posted after the onramp from Old U.S. Highway 91. Photo taken 08/15/10.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Cedar City (seven miles), St. George (62 miles), and Las Vegas (179 miles). Photo taken 08/15/10.
This series of pictures follows Interstate 15 south between Exits 71 and 62 as the freeway passes by residential Enoch. At Mile 66, a series of billboards announcing the gambling and resorts located at Mesquite, Nevada, begin to appear. These signs increase in frequency as we approach Nevada. Photos taken 08/15/10.
The next three exits all serve Cedar City: Exit 62, Junction Business Loop I-15 and Utah 130/North Main Street (northern Cedar City interchange); Exit 59, Junction Utah 56 (200 North); and Exit 57, Royal Hunt Drive to Business Loop I-15 and Utah 130 (southern Cedar City interchange). Photo taken 08/15/10.
Southbound Interstate 15/Veterans Memorial Highway approaches Exit 62, Junction Business Loop I-15 and Utah 130/North Main Street (one mile). This sign was changed between 2010 and 2011, with the newer sign reintroducing the business loop shield and adding a trailblazer for Utah 14 east to Cedar Canyon and Duck Creek Village. Photos taken 08/20/11 and 08/15/10.
Use Business Loop I-15 and Utah 130/North Main Street south to Utah 14 east to Frontier Homestead State Park Museum (formerly Iron Mission State Park) and Cedar Breaks National Monument. Both Utah 14 and Utah 143 serve Cedar Breaks. Utah 14 approaches from the south, while Utah 143 approaches from the north. The two highways are connected by Utah 148, which passes through the monument. Utah 14 continues east of Cedar Breaks, ending at U.S. 89 at Long Valley Junction (north of Kanab and south of Panguitch). U.S. 89 north connects to Utah 12 east to Bryce Canyon National Park. Photos taken 08/20/11 and 08/15/10.
The next exit along Interstate 15/Veterans Memorial Highway south is Exit 62, Junction Business Loop I-15 and Utah 130/North Main Street south to Cedar City. Use Business 15 and Utah 130 south to Utah 14 east to Cedar Canyon and Duck Creek Village. The sign was changed between 2010 and 2011. Photos taken 08/20/11 and 08/15/10.
Use Exit 62 (Business Loop I-15 south) to a hospital and visitors center. This sign also changed. Photos taken 08/20/11 and 08/15/10.
Southbound Interstate 15/Veterans Memorial Highway meets Exit 62, Junction Business Loop I-15/Historic U.S. 91 and Utah 130/North Main Street south to Cedar City and Utah 130 north to Enoch. Utah 130 is a fairly long north-south state route that originates at Interstate 15 Exit 57 and follows Business Loop I-15 and U.S. 91 north through Cedar City. After intersecting with Interstate 15 again at Exit 62, Utah 130 proceeds north on its own into Enoch, then travels north from there to its end at Minersville for a total distance of 43.076 miles. Photos taken 08/20/11 and 08/15/10.
Cedar City ("Festival City USA") had a population of 40,899 as of the 2010 Census, was founded in 1851, and incorporated on February 18, 1868. Situated at an elevation of 5,846 feet above sea level, Cedar City is positioned near a variety of scenic areas within an easy drive of downtown; the Markagunt Plateau (and its spectacular vistas including Cedar Breaks) lies to the east. Cedar City is home to Southern Utah University (founded as Branch Normal School in 1897, Southern Utah University became a four-year school in 1991). Photos taken 08/20/11 and 08/15/10.
Motorist services (gas, food, lodging) are available in Cedar City, including a truck stop at the north interchange. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Now on the offramp to Exit 62, this sign advises traffic to turn left onto Utah 130 and Business Loop 15 south for downtown Cedar City, Frontier Homestead State Park Museum, Shakespeare Festival, and Cedar Breaks National Monument. Photo taken 08/20/11.
Use Utah 130 and Business Loop 15 south (left turn) to Cedar City or Utah 130 north to Enoch (right turn). Photo taken 08/20/11.
Back on the mainline, this Interstate 15 south reassurance route marker is located just after the onramp from the interchange with Utah 130 north near Cedar City and Enoch. Photo taken 07/13/08.
This view looks south along Interstate 15 between Exits 62 and 59. Photo taken 08/15/10.
The next exit along southbound is Exit 59, Junction Utah 56 (200 North), one mile. Utah 56 heads east into Cedar City and west toward Panaca, Nevada, with connections to U.S. 93 and Nevada 375, the Extraterrestrial Highway. The sign was changed between 2010 and 2011. Photos taken 08/20/11 and 07/13/08.
Utah 56 east leads to Southern Utah University, the largest four-year university in Southern Utah. The university is home to the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Photos taken 08/20/11 and 07/13/08.
The Markagunt Plateau rises above the skyline of Cedar City as seen in this vista along southbound Interstate 15 as it approaches Exit 59, Junction Utah 56. Use Utah 56 west to Panaca, Nevada; motorists wishing to avoid the Virgin River Gorge in northwestern Arizona may use Utah 56 west to Nevada 319 west to U.S. 93 south for an alternate route to Las Vegas. Photos taken 08/20/11 and 07/13/08.
Use Exit 59 to a tourist information center. Photo taken 08/15/10.
A roadside sign points the way to Utah 56 west to Panaca and east to Cedar City; the state highway extends for a total of 61.502 miles, all in Iron County. Photos taken 08/20/11 and 08/15/10.
Southbound Interstate 15 reaches Exit 59, Junction Utah 56. This loop ramp requires exiting motorists to slow down significantly. The overhead sign with button copy was replaced between 2010 and 2011, marking the removal of the last button copy sign in southern Utah. The older sign indicates a control city of St. George, while the newer sign uses Las Vegas as the control city. Photos taken 08/20/11 and 08/15/10.
The left two lanes continue south on Interstate 15 en route to St. George and Las Vegas. The right lane departs to Exit 59, Junction Utah 56 east to Cedar City and west to Beryl Junction, Modena, and Panaca. Photos taken 08/20/11 and 08/15/10.
Departing Interstate 15 on the Exit 59 loop offramp (part of a partial cloverleaf interchange configuration) from southbound Interstate 15 to junction Utah 56, note that a left turn heads west and a right turn heads east. That is counter-intuitive compared to a diamond interchange configuration. Photo taken 10/25/03.
Back on the mainline, the next exit along Interstate 15 south is Exit 57, Junction Utah 130 and Business Loop I-15/South Main Street north back to downtown Cedar City. Photos taken 08/20/11 and 08/15/10.
Use Exit 57 to Park Discovery, operated by Cedar City. Photo taken 07/13/08.
Interstate 15 south approaches Exit 57, Junction Utah 130 and Business Loop I-15/South Main Street (one-half mile). Photos taken 08/20/11 and 08/15/10.
Southbound Interstate 15 meets Exit 57, Junction Utah 130 and Business Loop I-15/South Main Street. U.S. 91 meets Interstate 15 here and will parallel the freeway once again by following a frontage road on the west side of the freeway. Photos taken 08/20/11 and 08/15/10.
Yes, that really is a lighthouse out in the desert. Photo taken 08/15/10.
This Interstate 15 south reassurance route marker is located just after the onramp from the interchange with Utah 130 south of Cedar City. Photo taken 08/15/10.
A mileage sign provides the distance to Kanarraville (nine miles) and St. George (47 miles). Photo taken 07/13/08.
The next interchange along Interstate 15 south is Exit 51, Junction Old U.S. Highway 91 south to Kanarraville. U.S. 91 stays east of Interstate 15 between Exits 51 and 42. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Use Exit 51 to Kanarraville (small community off Old U.S. 91) and Hamilton Fort. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Southbound Interstate 15 reaches Exit 51, Junction Old U.S. Highway 91 south to Kanarraville and Hamilton Fort. Photo taken 08/15/10.
This Interstate 15 south reassurance route marker is located just after the onramp from the interchange with Old U.S. Highway 91. Photo taken 07/13/08.
A mileage sign provides the distance to St. George (43 miles) and Las Vegas (158 miles). Photo taken 07/13/08.
The next exit along Interstate 15 south is Exit 44, Rest Area. Photo taken 08/15/10.
The rest area includes restrooms, water, and telephone. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Southbound Interstate 15 reaches Exit 44, Rest Area. This is the last southbound rest area in Utah; the next rest area is in the Virgin River Gorge. Photo taken 08/15/10.
The next exit along Interstate 15 south is Exit 42, Junction Old U.S. Highway 91 north to New Harmony and Kanarraville. Photo taken 08/15/10.
Old U.S. Highway 91 travels north from this interchange to Kanarraville, rejoining Interstate 15 at Exit 51. New Harmony is a small community located just west of the Exit 42 interchange (via Highway 144, which was designated as Utah 144 until 1969, when the route was decommissioned). Highway 144 is locally maintained. Photos taken 08/20/11 and 08/15/10.
Southbound Interstate 15 reaches Exit 42, Junction Old U.S. Highway 91 north to Kanarraville and Highway 144 west to New Harmony. After this interchange, Interstate 15 will leave Iron County and enter Washington County, the southwesternmost county in Utah. Photo taken 08/20/11.
