Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel
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Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel
Oversized vehicles such as 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 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.
America the Beautiful Pass can be purchased on-line, but if purchased at Zion's park gate most of the fee stays in that park. Support Zion and buy your pass at their gate!
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Plan your trip with our "Canyon Country "
Vacation Itinerary
Scenic Drives
For many a scenic drive through breath taking scenery is their ideal vacation. Zion will hand scenery out in spades. There is the Kolob Canyon Scenic Drive, located off I15, near Cedar City, and the Kolob Terrace Drive accessed from Virgin, Utah. You can also hop on the Zion Canyon Shuttle and enjoy the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive that begins at Canyon Jct. and ends at the Temple of Sinawava where the Zion Narrows begins. Almost everyone that visits Zion will experience the captivating Zion-Mt. Carmel Hwy that travels from the parks south entrance and ends at the park's east entrance. If you are continuing past Zion to Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks or the North Rim of the Grand Canyon you will be able to drive the scenic byways to do so. Beyond the park's east entrance, travel 12 miles to Mt. Carmel Jct. where SR-9 meets with US-89. Travel on this historic highway north to the turn-off to Cedar Breaks or Bryce Canyon or head toward Arizona and visit the Coral Pink Sand Dunes and North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Zion National Park Mileage to Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. |
Seasons of Zion
Zion is spectacular every season of the year. Expect water running off rock and blooming wildflowers and baby doe in the spring. Bighorn Sheep are spotted daily now along the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. Summer brings the heat but it offers places like the Zion Narrows to cool off in and has its share of afternoon thunderstorms. In the Autumn, the lofty trees in Zion Canyon demand attention as their leaves changes to orange, gold and red. My favorite season is winter when I can drive into Zion Canyon and photograph everything in a blanket of snow.
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Zion National Park Vacation: Canyon Country
Private vehicles can travel SR-9, from Zion's south entrance, out the east entrance (or visa versa) to the junction of SR-9 & US-89 year-round, 24 hours a day. See tunnel restrictions for Oversized Vehicles.
In summer, the only access to the Scenic Zion Canyon Drive is via Zion's shuttle, but during the winter private vehicles can travel in the canyon. Exact dates the shuttle runs may vary.
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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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