Attraction Guide: Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, Springdale, United States

Zion-Mount Carmel Highway Guide

Journey Through Stone: The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway Guide

Prepare to be awestruck as you traverse the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, a scenic byway that winds its way through the heart of Zion National Park. This engineering marvel offers breathtaking views of towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and the Virgin River carving its path below. More than just a road, it's an experience that immerses you in the raw beauty of the American Southwest. Completed in 1930, the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway was a groundbreaking feat of engineering. Its most iconic feature is the 1.1-mile Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, which was blasted through solid rock. To accommodate larger vehicles, the tunnel requires traffic control, with vehicles often traveling one direction at a time. The highway was designed to connect Zion National Park with Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon, opening up access to some of the most spectacular landscapes in the country. Driving the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway is an activity in itself, with numerous pull-offs and viewpoints offering stunning photo opportunities. Take your time to soak in the panoramic vistas and marvel at the scale of the canyon walls. Consider hiking the Canyon Overlook Trail, a short but rewarding hike near the east entrance of the tunnel that provides unparalleled views of Zion Canyon. While there aren't specific culinary traditions directly tied to the highway itself, Springdale, just outside the park's south entrance, offers a variety of restaurants serving American and Southwestern cuisine.