Utah Highway 9
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Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway
If you are looking for the type of scenic drive that will leave an impression, then you will want to venture to Southern Utah and drive the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. There is not a more scenic road in America. This magnificent stretch of road demands total attention when it enters Zion National Park and does not let go. This Utah National Park is gaining popularity every year as visitors spread the word of how truly spectacular it is. Enjoy the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway to its end in Mt. Carmel Junction, where it meets with
the Mt. Carmel Scenic Byway that runs to the junction with Scenic Byway 12 to Bryce Canyon.
Zion National Park Lodging
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Plan your trip with our "Canyon Country"
Vacation Itinerary
The east side of Zion National Park offers spectacular trails as well as a breathtaking cruise along towering monoliths. Take the time to get out of your car and enjoy the view from the many pull-outs along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Driving is reported to be one of America's favorite pastimes. The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, running through Zion National Park to Mount Carmel Junction is amazing! Beside the magnificent monoliths, there are the Zion Switchbacks - a road turning back on itself through incredible country. There is also the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel which was built in the early 1900's, when such technology was in its infancy. Zion tints the park roads reddish, the color of the sandstone, to match the rock.
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Checkerboard Mesa
The geological wonder, Checkerboard Mesa, is located at the far east end of Zion National Park. Named due to the crossbedded rock pattern, but famous due to its rarity. The horizontal furrows were cut during the Jurassic period, by the blowing sands of huge ancient dunes that spread out over the land in place of the massive monoliths you see in Zion National Park today. The vertical slits were formed much later after brittle rock had formed.
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Zion National Park Vacation: Canyon Country
Private vehicles can travel Highway 9, the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, through the east side of the park year-round. Oversized Vehicle Information
From April until October the only access to the Scenic Drive is via shuttle. From October until April private vehicles can travel the Scenic Drive.
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 Nature Notes
The 1.1 mile long Zion National Park Tunnel was blasted and cut in the thick Navajo sandstone during early 1900's. Imagine cutting through 2,000 feet of sandstone with the machinery available at that time. In those days the whole process was considered a technological wonder. The Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel was a network of scaffolding set up on the east side of the tunnel, across Pine Creek, which flows below. Blasting was used to enlarge the hole and railcars hauled off the debris.
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