Community Forums

S-n-L · 04-22-2015, 09:27 AM

I am confused about something related to the tunnel at Zion N.P.

I have a reservation at Zion River RV Park, Virgin, UT in August. We have a 45' motorhome (12'6" ht) and tow a car (which can be detached). I know there is a tunnel with restrictions but I'm not clear where the tunnel is. Is it located on 9 inside the park itself? If we are driving to Zion River RV Park from the north on 15 to 17 to 9 will I have to pass through the tunnel before getting to the RV Park? I will be using my car to travel to Springdale to enter the park. Also, when I leave Zion River RV Park with the motorhome can I travel east on 9 without going through the tunnel? We want to go to Kanab, UT when we leave Zion but I sense that we have to travel 9 to 59s to 389east to 89 to Kanab.

As you can see I am pretty confused so any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Leslie

clydekilgore · 04-22-2015, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S-n-L

I am confused about something related to the tunnel at Zion N.P.

I have a reservation at Zion River RV Park, Virgin, UT in August. We have a 45' motorhome (12'6" ht) and tow a car (which can be detached). I know there is a tunnel with restrictions but I'm not clear where the tunnel is. Is it located on 9 inside the park itself? If we are driving to Zion River RV Park from the north on 15 to 17 to 9 will I have to pass through the tunnel before getting to the RV Park? I will be using my car to travel to Springdale to enter the park. Also, when I leave Zion River RV Park with the motorhome can I travel east on 9 without going through the tunnel? We want to go to Kanab, UT when we leave Zion but I sense that we have to travel 9 to 59s to 389east to 89 to Kanab.

As you can see I am pretty confused so any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Leslie

The tunnel is in the park itself.
You will not have to go through the tunnel, coming in from the north on 15.
You "can" exit through the park to Kanab through the tunnel. ... I would not.
The "best" (i.e. the way I would go) is 59 to 389 and 89.
It is worthwhile to drive through the tunnel in your car. Near the east entrance are interesting sights, views and you may well see mountain goats on the hillsides.

halfwright · 04-22-2015, 09:46 AM

The tunnel is on 9 near the south entrance. Since 9 is the only road through the park, if you travel south on 9 to Springdale you will have to go through the tunnel.

Rangers posted at both ends of the tunnel convert two-way tunnel traffic to one-way for larger vehicles, ensuring safe passage. This service, for which a $15 dollar tunnel permit fee is charged, was provided for over 27,874 oversized vehicles in calendar year 2011.

Large vehicles may only travel through the tunnel daily from:

March 9 to May 3 from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
May 4 to September 6 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
September 7 to September 27 from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
September 28 to November 1 from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
During the winter months, drivers of large vehicles must make advance arrangements at the entrance stations for the one-way traffic control service at the tunnel. Winter hours of operations for the tunnel are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

reubenray · 04-22-2015, 10:40 AM

My coach is 12' 10" tall and the total length including my car is 54'. Am I ok?

I am assuming I will have to disconnect the car and have the DW follow me through the tunnel. Is there a spot to disconnect and reconnect the car on each end of the tunnel.

krivanj · 04-22-2015, 11:20 AM

We went through it summer 2013. We did have to disconnect the car and drive separately, but had no problems.

777 Driver · 04-22-2015, 11:32 AM

Here's a link to the necessary info for transit through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel: The Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel - Zion National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

BTW, the "mountain goats"

are really Bighorn Sheep. If you're looking for Mountain Goats, you'll have better viewing opportunities in Glacier National Park.

Take care,
Stu

Superslif · 04-22-2015, 07:05 PM

If you want a "tunnel" video for Zion look below on Chris travels YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuroG64CO6k

Tunnel

reubenray · 04-22-2015, 07:14 PM

How far is from the tunnel to Watchman campground?

S-n-L · 04-22-2015, 07:57 PM

Thank you, I feel better knowing we do not have to go through the tunnel with our motorhome.

Safe travels everyone,
Leslie

Ray,IN · 04-22-2015, 08:42 PM

I drove our dually and 13'6" tall 5er through without damaging anything. If you watched the tunnel video, at the 5:34 point, a park shuttle is seen heading for the tunnel. Also in that video(7:36 I think) he tells how far from the tunnel to watchmans CG.

twogypsies · 04-23-2015, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S-n-L

IAlso, when I leave Zion River RV Park with the motorhome can I travel east on 9 without going through the tunnel? We want to go to Kanab, UT when we leave Zion but I sense that we have to travel 9 to 59s to 389east to 89 to Kanab.

You will be taking Hwy 9 from I-15 to Zion River RV Park and you won't be going through the tunnels. However, be sure to drive through the tunnels with your towed vehicle. It's a spectacular drive.

When you leave the RV park, DO take 59/389 to Kanab. It's a scenic, easy drive for big rigs with no issues.

reubenray · 04-23-2015, 08:20 AM

After watching the video we most likely will have to take the long route. The DW would freak out driving the car behind me.

reubenray · 04-23-2015, 11:36 AM

If we did not do the tunnel what route would be the best coming from Page, Arizona? I would also have to take a route back to Hwy. 89 to head to Bryce Canyon (Ruby's).

Forest Grump · 04-23-2015, 01:32 PM

I've driven it when I was a MH newbie. The tunnel is not that long. For you they will make it one way and have you drive down the centerline. They are very polite and helpful. My coach was around 12'8".