Zion Area Road Restrictions

BE READY FOR RV DRIVING

If you’re driving a large vehicle to Zion National Park, make sure you know how to navigate around the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and Tunnel.

Road Restrictions

Alternate Routes

ZION-MOUNT CARMEL TUNNEL

WHAT'S CHANGING?

Starting June 7, 2026, vehicles that exceed any of the size or weight limits outlined below will not be permitted to drive the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance.

Please note: These restrictions apply to the entire section of highway between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance, not just the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel.

The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway from Canyon Junction to East Entrance has strict vehicle restrictions on all oversize vehicles. Make sure you understand the tunnel and highway requirements as you plan your trip, as you could be required to add significant extra drive time, adjust your itinerary, or change your mode of transportation.

CURRENT RESTRICTIONS

Depending on the size of your vehicle, you may not be able to travel along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway on SR-9 between Zion National Park’s Canyon Junction and East Entrance. The following are currently prohibited in the tunnel:

Vehicles over 13 feet 1 inch tall (4.2 meters)
Semi-trucks
Vehicles carrying hazardous materials
Vehicles weighing more than 50,000 pounds (22,680 kilograms)
Single vehicles over 40 feet long (12.2 meters)
Vehicles and trailers with combined length over 50 feet (15.5 meters)
Bicyclists
Pedestrians

Any vehicle that is 7 feet 10 inches (2.4 meters) in width and/or 11 feet 4 inches (3.4 meters) in height is currently required to have a tunnel permit. This $15 permit allows two trips through the tunnel between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., when rangers are present to control traffic.

For all vehicles, obey all traffic directions from rangers and slow down while driving through the tunnel. Do not stop or turn around until you pass the kiosk on the other side.

More Information

NEW RESTRICTIONS COMING JUNE 2026

The tunnel permit for certain large vehicles will no longer be an option beginning in June 2026. With that change, vehicles that exceed 11 feet 4 inches tall (4.4 meters), 7 feet 10 inches wide (2.4 meters), 35 feet 9 inches long (12 meters), or 50,000 pounds (22,680 kilograms) must reroute around the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway.

CAN RVS STILL VISIT ZION?

RVs that meet the limits may transit the ZMCH. If an RV exceeds limits, visitors can still access Zion through the South Entrance, where parking and camping options are available (as conditions allow). However, RVs exceeding limits will not be permitted past Canyon Junction.

Map that shows the affected portion of the Mt Carmel Highway that has the restrictions on large vehicles.

Learn More

Alternate routes

Vehicles that cannot travel along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway due to the vehicle restrictions have a couple of options to explore both sides of the park and surrounding areas.

Paved Routes - South of Zion

South of Zion National Park, you can take SR-59 east of Hurricane, then continue on Arizona SR-389 and US-89 to reach the east side of SR-9. This route is convenient for adding stops in Kanab or the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

Distance: 80 miles
Drive Time: ~ 1.5 - 2 hours between the two entrances
Road Condition: Paved highway

NOTE: Travelers on this route may be directed by map and navigation apps to use Sheep Bridge Road, which connects SR-59 east of Hurricane and SR-9 in Virgin. This is a dirt road and is not recommended as an alternate route for large vehicles or drivers not comfortable with driving off pavement.

Paved Routes - North of Zion

North of Zion National Park, you can take I-15 north from Anderson Junction to SR-20, and then from SR-20 head south on US-89. This is a convenient route for adding a stop at Bryce Canyon National Park or Cedar City.

Distance: 161 miles
Drive Time: ~ 2.5 - 3 hours between Zion’s west and east entrances
Road Condition: Paved highway

NOTE: Travelers on this route may be directed by map and navigation apps to use SR-14 or SR-143. These roads contain sharp curves and steep grades and are not recommended as alternate routes for large vehicles.

Unpaved Routes - Sheep Bridge Road

Sheep Bridge Road

An image of a dirt road winding through a desert toward distant mountains under a cloudy sky, with a small, distant 25 mph speed limit sign in the Zion National Park area.

An image of a dirt road stretching through a desert landscape leading towards a mountain range under a blue sky in the Zion National Park area.

An image of a dirt road in a desert canyon leading toward red mountains and a 25 mph speed limit sign on the right side of the road in the Zion National Park area.

Sheep Bridge Road connects SR-59 east of Hurricane and SR-9 in Virgin. This is a dirt road through BLM land and is not recommended as an alternate route for large vehicles.

Distance: 5.5 miles
Drive Time: ~15 - 20 minutes
Road Condition: Unpaved dirt road, 1000-foot elevation change with steep sections

Unpaved Routes - Smithsonian Butte Road

Smithsonian Butte Road

Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway sign from the Bureau of Land Management in a desert with mountains.

An image of a dirt road in a desert landscape leading toward red mountains under a cloudy sky, with on-screen text: "9-mile scenic drive connecting SR-9 to SR-59.”

An image of a Bureau of Land Management sign outlining travel guidelines, including no camping within 1/2 mile of the road, limits on dispersed camping, warnings for impassable roads when wet, and potential fire restrictions.

An image of a dirt road in a desert, with on-screen text: "...it's all dirt so best not to drive it if rain is predicted or you've never driven off pavement before."

NOTE: Smithsonian Butte Road and Bench Road connect SR-9 in Rockville and SR-59 in Apple Valley. These are rough dirt roads that can become impassable when wet and are not recommended for drivers who aren’t comfortable off-roading. Large vehicles and low-clearance vehicles should avoid this route.

Distance: 9 miles
Drive Time: ~ 30 - 45 minutes
Road Condition: Unpaved dirt road, 1000-foot elevation change with steep sections

Road Closures Frequently Asked Questions

The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles from early March through late November. Visitors must use the park’s shuttle system, bike, or walk to enter Zion Canyon. Zion Lodge guests are permitted to drive to the lodge during the shuttle season.

Upper Kolob Terrace Road and Lava Point Road usually close through the winter due to snow. Kolob Canyons Road does not have a seasonal closure but does close frequently in winter.

Rockfalls can also impact roads throughout the park.

Zion National Park posts updates on road and other closures on its Current Conditions page.

The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway (the stretch of SR-9 between the park’s South Entrance and US-89) may temporarily close on extremely busy days when parking areas are full. This helps prevent vehicles from blocking traffic or parking on switchbacks or vegetation, and it ensures unimpeded access for emergency vehicles and shuttles.

Sections of SR-9 have also been forced to close temporarily due to rockslides, wildfire, or flooding. UDOT and partner agencies work to reopen lanes as quickly as possible.