Heading to Zion Nationwide Park this summer time? If you’re planning to drive a motorhome, tow a trailer, or journey in a bigger automobile, here’s what it is advisable know.
Starting June 7, 2026, Zion Nationwide Park will totally implement automobile dimension and weight limits on the Zion-Mount Carmel Freeway (Utah State Route 9) between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance. Automobiles that exceed the posted limits will now not be allowed to journey this part of SR-9.
These restrictions apply to all the stretch of freeway between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance, not simply the historic 1.1-mile-long Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.
What’s Altering?
At the moment, sure outsized automobiles should purchase a tunnel allow and journey by way of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel with ranger escort throughout restricted hours. Nevertheless, that’s set to alter later this yr.
Starting June 7, 2026:
- The tunnel allow choice can be eradicated.
- Any automobile that exceeds the established dimension or weight limits can be required to reroute.
- Outsized automobiles is not going to be permitted previous Canyon Junction towards the East Entrance.
The modifications are primarily based on security research and federal freeway validation. The street contains tight curves, slim lanes, historic bridges, and infrastructure that was not designed for contemporary outsized automobiles.
Will You Be Affected?
Use the next info to find out whether or not your automobile can legally journey the Zion-Mount Carmel Freeway between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance.
Measure Your Car
Measurements embody mirrors, tires, rooftop A/C items, bike racks, satellite tv for pc dishes, and all attachments. Pay specific consideration to the general width, together with mirrors. That’s the place the vast majority of RVers can be affected. One other frequent hurdle would be the trailer size, measured from the hitch to the rear axle.
Single Car Limits
Tow automobile and not using a trailer, a motorhome, or a dinghy automobile
| Restrict Kind | Most Allowed |
| Size | 35 ft 9 inches |
| Width | 7 ft 10 inches |
| Peak | 11 ft 4 inches |
| Weight | 50,000 kilos |
In case your automobile exceeds any one of many above limits, you have to reroute.
Mixed Car Limits
Tow automobile and trailer, a motorhome and dinghy automobile, or some other towing setup
| Restrict Kind | Most Allowed |
| Whole Size | 50 ft |
| Trailer Size | 26 ft from hitch to rear axle |
| Width | 7 ft 10 inches |
| Peak | 11 ft 4 inches |
| Weight | 50,000 kilos |
Once more, exceeding any single restrict discovered above means you can’t journey this part of SR-9.
Necessary
In case your automobile exceeds any of the boundaries above and also you arrive on the South or East Entrance, park workers will direct you to show round safely.
Exceptions on the South Entrance could apply solely if you’re:
- Parking within the giant automobile lot on the Customer Middle and area is out there
- Staying at Zion Lodge with a sound cross
- Driving throughout shuttle off season
- Tenting at Watchman Campground or South Campground when open
Outsized automobiles is not going to be permitted past Canyon Junction towards the East Entrance.
Over the Restrict(s)? What Are Your Choices?
In case your RV or towing setup exceeds the boundaries, you continue to have entry to Zion Nationwide Park. You merely have to plan your strategy in a different way.
Choice 1: Use the South Entrance and Park
If area permits, you could:
- Park on the Zion Canyon Customer Middle giant automobile lot
- Camp at Watchman or South Campground
- Use the shuttle, bike, or stroll to discover Zion Canyon throughout shuttle season
This lets you benefit from the park with out touring the restricted freeway.
Choice 2: Take a Paved Alternate Route
Outsized automobiles should bypass the Zion-Mount Carmel Freeway utilizing state highways.
South of Zion Route
Route: Take SR-59 east of Hurricane, then proceed on Arizona SR-389 and US-89 to achieve the east facet of SR-9.
- Distance: 80 miles
- Drive time: 1.5–2 hours
- Street sort: Absolutely paved
This can be a good choice in case you’d like so as to add stops in Kanab or the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Observe: Keep away from Sheep Bridge Street (see under). Some navigation apps could counsel it. It’s a dust street with steep sections and is NOT really useful for giant automobiles.
North of Zion Route
Route: Take I-15 north from Anderson Junction to SR-20, after which from SR-20 head south on US-89.
- Distance: 161 miles
- Drive time: 3–4 hours
- Street sort: Absolutely paved
This can be a good choice for including stops to Bryce Canyon or Cedar Metropolis.
Observe: Keep away from SR-14 and SR-143 as alternate shortcuts. These roads have steep grades and sharp curves which are NOT really useful for giant automobiles.
Unpaved Routes to Keep away from
These are NOT really useful for giant or low clearance automobiles:
| Street | The place | Situations |
| Sheep Bridge Street | Connects SR-59 east of Hurricane and SR-9 in Virgin. | Filth, steep sections, 1,000-foot elevation change |
| Smithsonian Butte Street | Smithsonian Butte Street and Bench Street join SR-9 in Rockville and SR-59 in Apple Valley. | Tough dust, steep grades, can grow to be impassable when moist |
What Occurs if You Ignore the Restrictions?
In case your automobile exceeds limits and also you try to journey the restricted part:
- You can be rotated on the entrance station
- You could want so as to add important drive time to reroute
- You possibly can encounter slim curves and bridge weight limits that pose security dangers
The freeway contains tight switchbacks, slim lanes, historic bridges, and infrastructure in-built 1930 for smaller automobiles. Planning forward prevents stress and protects your rig, different vacationers, and the park.
Protected Journey Planning
Even when your RV meets the scale necessities, cautious planning remains to be vital.
1. Affirm Your Rig’s True Measurements
Don’t depend on brochure specs alone. Many RVs sit increased or are longer than anticipated as soon as totally outfitted. Be sure you measure:
- Whole size together with bike racks
- Whole top together with all the pieces on the roof: A/C items, vent covers, photo voltaic panels, and so forth.
- Width together with mirrors
- Precise loaded weight
2. Be Conscious of Seasonal Closures
At all times test present circumstances earlier than arrival.
- Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to personal automobiles from early March by way of late November. Shuttle required.
- Higher Kolob Terrace Street and Lava Level Street typically shut in winter.
- SR-9 could briefly shut throughout peak congestion, rockslides, flooding, or wildfire occasions.
3. Set Up Protected Routing with RV LIFE
To keep away from routing points:
Step 1: Replace RV Storage in Your Profile
RV LIFE Storage helps you to handle vital details about your RV. It gives a handy place to view and replace your automobile info and report vital particulars like your RV’s measurements, gasoline information, mileage and extra that can assist you keep organized and preserve your RV info updated.
You’ll be able to entry your RV Storage by way of your RV LIFE Profile. You are able to do this by way of profile.rvlife.com, RV LIFE Journey Wizard, RV LIFE Campgrounds or the RV LIFE Cell app. Start by clicking on Account Settings.
Below the Profile, Storage, & Preferences Heading, click on Your RV Storage:
This opens the RV Storage display screen, the place you may edit the main points of your RV.
- Enter correct top of the RV
- Enter complete size of the RV
- Enter weight of the RV and tow automobile
- Enter extra info if relevant
Observe: When accessing by way of the RV LIFE Cell app, you’ll skip the Account Settings step. Tapping your Profile icon will take you on to that display screen.
Step 2: Use RV Protected Routing
RV LIFE’s RV Protected routing considers:
- Peak clearances
- Weight limits
- Street grades
- Giant automobile restrictions
Not like a typical automotive GPS app, RV LIFE will create an RV Protected path to keep away from sending you onto dust roads like Sheep Bridge Street or steep grade routes not appropriate for RV journey.
The Backside Line for RVers
Starting June 7, 2026:
- Outsized automobiles will now not be allowed on the Zion-Mount Carmel Freeway between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance.
- Tunnel permits for giant automobiles will finish.
- RVs that meet the boundaries could proceed to transit the route.
- RVs that exceed the boundaries can nonetheless entry Zion by way of the South Entrance and by utilizing paved alternate highways.
Earlier than you go:
- Affirm your RV setup’s precise dimensions
- Select a compliant route
- Keep away from unpaved shortcuts
- Test seasonal closures
- Arrange RV Protected routing with RV LIFE
Zion Nationwide Park stays accessible to RVers. With the precise preparation, you may benefit from the park safely whereas staying throughout the new necessities.
