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Lawgirl11 · 01-25-2019, 08:24 AM

We are thinking of traveling from Mesa AZ to the Grand Canyon and then to Zion National Park in Utah. Has anyone traveled highway 89 from Grand Canyon to Utah? We have a 39ft Motorhome towing a Honda CRV. Two others are with us. One has a Class C and the other has a 36ft Motorhome also towing cars. We will be going first part of April. Someone told us it is very hard. If it is why? Thanks

Busskipper · 01-25-2019, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawgirl11

We are thinking of traveling from Mesa AZ to the Grand Canyon and then to Zion National Park in Utah. Has anyone traveled highway 89 from Grand Canyon to Utah? We have a 39ft Motorhome towing a Honda CRV. Two others are with us. One has a Class C and the other has a 36ft Motorhome also towing cars. We will be going first part of April. Someone told us it is very hard. If it is why? Thanks

https://binged.it/2RNOf3j

I've done it and actually Love It - Only issue for some might be the Tunnel but IMHO it is Great.

JMHO,

CountryB · 01-25-2019, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busskipper

https://binged.it/2RNOf3j

Only issue for some might be the Tunnel.

JMHO,

Can you expand on this comment. What is the concern with the "tunnel" Height/clearance?

Lawgirl11 · 01-25-2019, 08:41 AM

Yes please tell me issue with tunnel.

Busskipper · 01-25-2019, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CountryB

Can you expand on this comment. What is the concern with the "tunnel" Height/clearance?

https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvis...mel-tunnel.htm

We drive through it every time we are there - Usually in the winter - $15.00 and might take a minute or two - no big deal as all who use it usually have to wait at some time.

We are the type that try to make the Trip/Drive as good, if not better than the Destination. .

You'll be fine,

purrin along · 01-25-2019, 08:45 AM

There is a tunnel going into and near Zion that's low on the sides
.It may require an escort from officials if your coach is to high.

Lawgirl11 · 01-25-2019, 08:55 AM

[QUOTE=CountryB;4605605]Can you expand on this comment. What is the concern with the "tunnel" Height/clearance?[/QUOTE

We have talked this over and now group would like to go to Bryce Canyon Park instaed of Zion. This also-takes 89. Are there tunnels to that park? Also is it two lanes or 4 lanes? Will we have trouble up the mountains?

Sneelock · 01-25-2019, 09:15 AM

The tunnel is also length restrictive. They literally have a staging area at each end with length marked out on the road. They check every vehicle and if you are over that length - and many motorhomes towing are - they will require you to disconnect and drive the toad through separately. I can't remember but I think it's 50'. And they don't take your word for it - they'll check.

Other than that it's really no big deal to navigate and is a beautiful drive.

mricet1005 · 01-25-2019, 09:16 AM

[QUOTE=Lawgirl11;4605641]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CountryB

Can you expand on this comment. What is the concern with the "tunnel" Height/clearance?[/QUOTE

We have talked this over and now group would like to go to Bryce Canyon Park instaed of Zion. This also-takes 89. Are there tunnels to that park? Also is it two lanes or 4 lanes? Will we have trouble up the mountains?

No tunnels going to Bryce. I can’t remember if road into Bryce area was 2 or 4 lane but I know it was not particularly challenging. I’m in a 41ft DP. If you change your mind, you can avoid Zion tunnel by going south of the park on 389 and 59 west of Fredonia. That’s the route I used last fall. On that route you can make a short stop at Pipe Spring National Monument.

Crasher · 01-25-2019, 09:21 AM

Don't be concerned with the tunnel. I went through it in a 39' DP 18 years ago. They just hold the traffic at the other end and run an escort vehicle ahead of you. Stay in the middle and enjoy the experience. When done, come back through the tunnel and go to Bryce Canyon. No more tunnels. Do them both then head north on hwy 12 over the Hogsback to Capitol Reef for a thrilling experience. All three parks are different and worth the trip.

Busskipper · 01-25-2019, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crasher

Don't be concerned with the tunnel. I went through it in a 39' DP 18 years ago. They just hold the traffic at the other end and run an escort vehicle ahead of you. Stay in the middle and enjoy the experience. When done, come back through the tunnel and go to Bryce Canyon. No more tunnels. Do them both then head north on hwy 12 over the Hogsback to Capitol Reef for a thrilling experience. All three parks are different and worth the trip.

If I recall the $15.00 covers you going and coming - even if you just go fo a few hours GO, Utah is just beautiful.

another post that might help with info - http://www.irv2.com/forums/f38/utah-...ks-428232.html

Best of luck - No wrong choices - just never enough TIME. .

AKIQPilot · 01-25-2019, 12:30 PM

We did this trip in June 2018. Big Class A and a smaller Class C. Two families, four adults five kids, no pets.

From Grand Canyon Village to 89 is a great road. 2 Lanes but very good road.

89 to Page and on to Mt Carmel Junction is also plenty nice. Some 2 lane stuff and a few 4 lanes. Mostly 2 lanes with some passing lanes.

Mt Carmel up to Hwy 12 is also very good 2 lane road with some passing lanes. There may be a few 4 lane sections here and there but not many.

Hwy 12 to Bryce is very nice 2 lane roads. Maybe a passing lane or two but very nice, mostly flat roads.

There are a few hills between Page and Mt Carmel Junction but nothing that will give you any trouble. You might dip down to 50MPH on a couple but they are short and nothing to worry about.

As far as the tunnel to Zion. Height and width restrictions will require you to have a permit. Any vehicle over 11'4" tall or 7'10" wide will require a permit and any single vehicle over 40' long or 50' combined with a trailer (toad) will also require a permit. Passing through the tunnel costs $15 round trip unless you have a 4th grader then it's free with the 4th grader National Parks pass. 4th grader National Parks pass is also free. The 4th grader National Parks Pass will get you into every National park in the nation for Free.

Springdale at the southwest entrance to Zion is a super cool little town. We skipped the tunnels and went to Springdale via Hurricane. We stayed in Springdale for 5 nights at the Zion Canyon Campground and just drove to Bryce. The kids (5 kids aged 5 to 9 years old) loved Zion much more than they liked Bryce. The Virgin River passes right through the edge of Zion Canyon Campground. Lots of super clean swimming holes and hiking and rock climbing right from the campground.

We had planned two 1 day trips to Bryce from Zion but after the first all day trip to Bryce the kids begged us to just stay in Zion. Bryce is beautiful no doubt but a few hours hiking through the Amphitheater and a drive to the top of Rainbow Point was all the kids wanted of Bryce. And honestly that's about all the adults wanted as well.

For our families there was just way more to do and see in Zion. Our kids are into hiking and climbing and biking and swimming. Zion offers much more variety of that than Bryce.

Make your reservations early.

twogypsies · 01-25-2019, 03:41 PM

All roads will be two-lane except for interstates. You can get to both parks very easily - good roads and large RVs no problem. We've done it multiple times with our 40' motorhome. I really recommend you do both parks since you'll be in the area and they're fairly close together.

To get to Zion from Mesa, AZ: Take I-17 north to 89 north. You'll have a decision whether to take 89A or continue on 89. Taking 89A you have a big uphill but the most scenic. Taking 89 is easier and you'll go through Page, AZ and Glen Canyon Nat'l Rec Area.

So.... if you take 89 stay on it until you get to Kanab, UT. Then head south on 89 a few miles taking you to Fredonia, AZ. Pick up AZ389 which become UT59 taking you to Hurricane, UT. Go east on Hwy 9 at Hurricane taking you to Zion. NO TUNNELS ON THIS ROUTE AND A VERY EASY DRIVE. If you can't get into Zion's Watchman's campground then try for the town of Springdale at the park entrance. I don't recall the name of the RV park in Springdale, Google for it. The free Zion shuttle makes stops in Springdale taking you into the park.

When leaving Zion and in order to avoid the steep, curvy uphill and a couple of tunnels, backtrack on Hwy 9 to I-15 and go north on I-15 to UT20. (Looking on a map don't be tempted to take Hwy 14 off I-15. You won't like it. )Take 20 east to meet Hwy 89 again and take 89 south to Panguitch, UT. There you will pick up Hwy 12 east taking you to Bryce Nat'l Park. If you want hookups stay at Ruby's RV at the nat'l park entrance. Again, the free park shuttle will take you into the park.... if it runs in April. On Hwy 12 heading toward Bryce you will have a tunnel but it big enough for the biggest RV. Tour buses and semi trucks use it. It's a very short tunnel in a beautiful setting. I don't think people remember it being there because it's so short.

Don't be hesitant to do either of these parks. Hope you can do both.... and there are more gems in the area.... would be a shame to pass them by.

All of these roads are used by the biggest of RVs. They're not difficult. Have a great trip!

Look up each national park's website for lots of good information on things to do, road/tunnel information, special alerts, etc. Here is Zion's:

https://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm

and Bryce Nat'l Park: https://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm

These are Utah's Big 5 National Parks of southern Utah.

https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-.../the-mighty-5/

You could also work in Grand Canyon in Arizona if you wish. At Flagstaff go west on I-40 to Williams and take Hwy 64 (Stay at Trailer Village IN the park). Leaving take 64 east and it will take you to Hwy 89 north on your way to Page, AZ.

bigchick · 01-25-2019, 07:37 PM

us-89 is no problem. you've been told about the zion - mt carmel tunnel on the east entrance to zion. you can continue to take US-89 up to UT-12 which will head to bryce. there are two short tunnels on UT-12 in red canyon s you head towards bryce. they are listed at 13'6" but they are not a problem. every rv and semi can make it through them. we have a large 5th wheel that measures out at 13'6". the bridges are arches and we just wait and go down the middle of the road in the center of the arch. don't know how much you plan to drive in a day but a very good layover spot is wahweap rv park on lake powel just outside of page, az.