Zion Mount Carmel Tunnel and Highway

Zion National Park  Springdale, Utah. 84767

This place is stunning in beauty, pristine in silence and treasured beyond measure.

Driving thru this tunnel for the first time it’s hard not to be amazed by the sheer engineering skills used to make this possible. Several gallery windows cut out of the rock provide spectacular views from within the 1.1 mile tunnel. 

The highway is 25 miles in length with sharp switchbacks taking you thru the most scenic views of Zion. Many turnouts are provided. It is recommended you use the turnouts on the same side of the road you are traveling as to not make traffic back up by making left turns.

Work was completed on July 3rd, 1930, taking two years and 10 months. The Zion Mount Carmel highway and tunnel is listed in the National Register of Historic Places because of the skillful engineering, design, planning and materials used therein. Also in May of 2012, the American Society of Civil Engineers designated it as an Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.  

Once you get to the far end of this highway you can just exit or park (at the visitor center) and take the shuttle to the places cars are not allowed to travel most of the year. Once you’re on the shuttle it has nine stops total. Many people take advantage of the numerous hiking trails. Each trail lists the length, approximate time it takes to walk it and difficulty level. The visitor center has free spring water to fill up on, restrooms and gift shop. There are places to camp (near the visitors center) although they seem a bit close together and a lodge located in the restricted shuttle area. Fee’s are due upon entering the park. I used my National Parks pass to enter.