Zion-Mount Carmel Highway Guide
Zion-Mount Carmel Highway: A Scenic Drive Through Time Guide
The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, a remarkable feat of engineering, is a 10-mile stretch of road that winds its way through the heart of Zion National Park in Utah. This scenic drive offers breathtaking views of the park's towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and the Virgin River. The highlight of the highway is the 1.1-mile Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, a marvel of early 20th-century engineering that allows vehicles to pass directly through the massive sandstone formations. Construction of the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway began in the 1920s and was completed in 1930. The tunnel was a particularly challenging undertaking, requiring the use of innovative techniques to bore through the solid rock. The highway was designed to connect Zion National Park with Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon, opening up the region to tourism and making it more accessible to visitors. The tunnel's unique design, with its "windows" carved into the rock face, provides stunning views of the canyon below. Driving the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway is an experience in itself. Be sure to stop at the various viewpoints along the way to admire the scenery and take photographs. The Canyon Overlook Trail, located just east of the tunnel, offers a short hike to a spectacular viewpoint overlooking Zion Canyon. During peak season, private vehicles are often restricted from driving through Zion Canyon, and visitors are required to use the park's free shuttle system. However, the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway remains open to private vehicles year-round. While there isn't a specific culinary tradition directly associated with the highway, the nearby town of Springdale, just outside the park's south entrance, offers a variety of restaurants serving American and Southwestern cuisine.
Transportation
The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway runs through Zion National Park. From the east entrance of the park, follow the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway (UT-9) west. From the south entrance, take the free park shuttle to the Zion Human History Museum, then walk or bike east along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. During peak season, private vehicles are restricted from driving through Zion Canyon, but the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway remains open. A park entrance fee is required.