Zion National Park to implement large vehicle restrictions on Zion-Mt. Carmel highway

SALT LAKE CITY — The National Park Service announced it will begin restricting large vehicles from traveling on the historic Zion—Mt Carmel Highway in Zion National Park on June 7.

According to the NPS, vehicles larger than 35 feet, 9 inches long; 7 feet, 10 inches wide; 11 feet, 4 inches tall or heavier than 50,000 pounds will no longer be permitted to drive along the highway between Canyon Junction and the park’s East Entrance.

Additionally, combined vehicles, such as a truck and trailer, cannot exceed 26 feet from hitch to rear axle and 50 feet overall.

The restrictions come from two safety studies conducted in 1989 and 2019, which were both validated by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.

The studies found that vehicles longer than the new limits cannot safely stay within their lanes when driving along the Zion—Mt Carmel Highway, while vehicles wider or taller cannot fit through the Zion—Mt Carmel Tunnel while staying within the lane. The four bridges along the Zion—Mt Carmel Highway also cannot safely carry vehicles heavier than 50,000 pounds.

The Zion—Mt Carmel Highway was completed in 1930 and designated as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. It is also currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Zion National Park Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh explained the history of the Zion—Mt Carmel Highway, pointing out that it was built in an era of smaller, lighter vehicles.

“Many of today’s large touring vehicles and RVs simply couldn’t have been envisioned when the road was built,” Bradybaugh said. “This decision comes after years of careful study and collaboration with our neighbors, transportation agencies, and the tourism industry.”

The changes are also designed to help ease congestion along the highway. According to the National Parks Service, a 2016 study found that stop-and-go traffic was the norm, with only 19 minutes of free-flowing traffic every hour. During busy days, the free-flowing traffic slowed to only eight minutes every hour.

Other options for large vehicles

Visitors with large vehicles will still have access to the park. While they will not be permitted to enter via the park’s East Entrance, the South Entrance will allow vehicles through if:

• Visitors are planning on parking in the large vehicle lot next to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and the parking lot has room.
• Visitors have a pass to visit the Zion Lodge.
• Visitors are driving up the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive during the shuttle off-season.
• Visitors are driving to camp in the Watchman Campground or South Campground (once it reopens).

Additionally, alternate routes that add between 10 and 45 minutes of driving time are available to provide large vehicles access to Bryce Canyon National Park, the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and other destinations in the “Grand Circle” tour.

Visitors are encouraged to review their vehicle dimensions, including after-market accessories like roof racks and tires, and consider alternative routes if size or weight limits are exceeded.