Virgin River Gorge

Virgin River Gorge is a long canyon in northwestern Arizona between St. George, Utah, and Beaver Dam, carved by the Virgin River into a steep, winding desert passage. The same river also shaped Zion National Park. Interstate 15 threads through the gorge, crossing the river several times along a route that became one of the most expensive stretches of Interstate highway ever built and is known for difficult driving conditions. The gorge has the hot-summer, mild-winter climate and plant and animal life of the Mojave Desert. It is also a recreation area for hikers, campers, and especially rock climbers, including Chris Sharma’s landmark 1997 ascent of Necessary Evil.

Beaver Dam, Arizona · United States