Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel
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Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel
Oversized vehicles (rv's, trailers, fifth wheels and most campers) are allowed to travel through the middle of the tunnel while traffic is stopped by the rangers, on the other side. From early April through late October, escorts (rangers) are at the tunnel from 8 am to 8 pm. See the National Park Service site for current info, escort fees and winter hours. The second tunnel in the park is so small that you can see from one end to the other when driving through. Semi-trucks are not allowed to travel through the park.
The America the Beautiful Pass can be purchased on-line, but if purchased at the park gate most of the fee stays in that park. Support Zion National Park and buy your pass at their gate!
Zion National Park Lodging
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Plan your trip with our "Canyon Country "
Vacation Itinerary
East Zion
The east side of Zion National Park provides easy access to Bryce Canyon (60 miles), Cedar Breaks National Monument (45 miles), the entrance to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument ( 9 miles) and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (85 miles).
Directions to Zion National Park:
Las Vegas, Nevada is a 3 hour (183 miles) drive from Zion National Park (east entrance). Rental cars are available at the McCarren airport. Zion National Park (east entrance) is located about 5 hours south of Salt Lake City (320 miles). Visitors from Northern Utah have the opportunity to travel impressive Utah scenic byways rather than driving along the interstate.
From City Airports to the east entrance of Zion National Park
| City |
miles |
km |
|
City |
miles |
km |
| Las Vegas |
183 |
295 |
Salt Lake |
320 |
515 |
| Page |
100 |
161 |
Flagstaff |
218 |
315 |
| Cedar |
67 |
108 |
St. George |
67 |
108 |
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Zion's Scenic Drives
East Zion - Continuing the drive from the east side of Zion through the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, to the south side of the park is one of the most incredible scenic drives in America. Immediately on the east side of Zion National Park, is the magnificent geological wonder Checkerboard Mesa. The east side is impressive with hoodoos and twisted rock sculptures, edged to the rim of the highway. After exiting the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, the Great Arch and Beehives come into view.
Zion Canyon - Zion Canyon is at the bottom of the tantalizing switchbacks. Lower Zion Canyon is where the Zion Canyon Visitors Center and the Zion Human History Museum are found. The spire, Watchman, stands tall on the south side of the park.
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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 Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel is 1.1 miles long. It was blasted and cut in the thick Navajo sandstone during the early 1900s. The task of cutting through 2,000 foot thick sandstone, in those days, was not easy and was considered to be an engineering marvel. Blasting was used to enlarge the hole and railcars hauled off the debris. On the tunnel's south side, working on the tunnel was not any easy task because the drop off to the canyon below is 800 ft.
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