Entry Points:
About Grafton
Grafton is a ghost town which was built by Mormon pioneers on a bend of the Virgin River. It lies on the south side of the river, opposite the highway, and is accessible by a dirt road from Rockville, several miles upriver. Grafton was a farming community, situated among the trees and grassland that line the river bottoms. A few houses remain today, spaciously scattered through the townsite, along with an old church. Other than the two streets, the property is all privately owned and can be enjoyed and protected by viewing it from the road.
The road to Grafton dead ends at Grafton. Three miles back it intersects with Smithsonian Butte Road, which heads south into Arizona. At one time this was the only route from Utah's Dixie area into Arizona. It is now an unpaved backcountry road.
Surrounding the town and river bottoms is a desert. Mountains rise just south of the town, reaching up to a high mesa. The rocks are colored in horizontal stripes of red and cream and dotted with sagebrush and junipers. Just before reaching Grafton the road passes pinnacles of stone standing like sentinels at the edge of town. Across the river, the cliffs of Zion National Park can be viewed at a distance.
Street Index
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a road Cemetery Road Grafton Road |