Driving Zion Nationwide Park Route 9 in an RV

Zion Nationwide Park is a superb vacation spot for RV vacationers … and nationwide park lovers as an entire. It’s one in every of Utah’s Mighty 5 nationwide parks. The putting canyons and scenic overlooks of Zion have been photographed and painted quite a few occasions, and it’s possible you’ve seen photos even in the event you’ve by no means been.

Utah as an entire can also be a really RV-friendly state. Together with Utah’s 5 nationwide parks, there are many state parks to discover. Cities like St. George, Moab, and Hurricane encourage guests to enterprise outdoor. And there are many campgrounds all throughout the state.

Route 9 in southern Utah is one other glorious technique to discover the outside. You’ll be driving Zion Nationwide Park, however you’ll additionally move small cities, stunning vistas, and historic websites on the route as effectively.

This text will share every part you’ll want to know to drive Route 9 and different elements of southern Utah. We’ll take a look at route particulars, RV restrictions, must-see stops, and journey suggestions that can assist you plan your journey.

Route 9: The Gateway to Zion

Utah’s Scenic Byway Route 9 is the primary street by way of Zion Nationwide Park, however it passes different necessary southern Utah landmarks as effectively.

Close to I-15, the place the byway begins, it provides drivers entry to Quail Creek State Park and Sand Hole State Park. You’ll then journey by way of Hurricane, Virgin, Rockville, and Springdale earlier than you get to the doorway to Zion Nationwide Park. When you’re close to Rockville, you may cease to go to Grafton ghost city, which was featured in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Child. See a historic cemetery, and different buildings that inform the tales of Utah’s Mormon settler previous. The city additionally has nice views of Zion Nationwide Park.

Route 9 then travels previous the customer middle and museum and plenty of notable Zion landmarks. You’ll see towering pink sandstone cliffs and putting mesas. It additionally follows the Virgin River, making it a scenic, unforgettable drive.

Route 9 encompasses the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which ends up in well-liked trailheads like Angels Touchdown and The Narrows. This portion of the drive is just accessible by way of free shuttle bus from March by way of November – peak vacationer season. The Zion-Mount Carmel Freeway with its 1.1-mile tunnel that connects the east and west sides of the park, is open year-round.

The drive begins at exit 16 on I-15 on the western facet, passes by way of Zion Nationwide Park, and ends on the jap junction with U.S. Route 89. It’s a grand complete of 57.075 miles.

RV Restrictions and Allow Necessities

One thrilling a part of the drive by way of Zion is the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. It gives direct entry to drive between Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park, Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, and Zion – very useful in the event you’re making an attempt to go to the Mighty 5 in a single street journey.

There are measurement restrictions for automobiles that drive by way of the tunnel. You’ll additionally want a allow and an escort in the event you’re in an RV. Right here’s what to know:

Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel Dimension Restrictions

In 1989 the Federal Freeway Administration performed a survey and found that enormous automobiles like RVs couldn’t handle the winding tunnel with out crossing over the middle line. After that, the Nationwide Park Service instituted an escort service. Occasionally all through the day, the tunnel is closed to site visitors coming the opposite means, to permit RVs to drive safely by way of the tunnel.

• Tunnel Allow Required: In case your rig is 7 ft 10 inches extensive and/or 11 ft 4 inches tall or bigger, you have to to buy a tunnel allow and drive by way of with an escort.
• Prohibited Autos: Rigs are usually not allowed within the tunnel in any respect if they’re:
  • 13 ft 1 inch tall or bigger
  • Semi-trucks
  • Carrying hazardous supplies
  • Weigh greater than 50,000 kilos
  • Are greater than 40 ft lengthy
  • Are mixed automobiles over 50 ft lengthy
  • Bicycles and pedestrians are usually not allowed within the tunnel

In mid-2026, Zion Nationwide Park plans to reroute all outsized automobiles and cease the escort program. At that time, all RV drivers might want to discover alternate routes.

How To Get a Allow

If you arrive at Zion, have your car measured on the entrance station. Whether it is outsized (however not so massive it’s prohibited), you should buy your tunnel allow there for $15. Your allow is sweet for 2 journeys by way of the tunnel for a similar car inside seven days of buy.

After you might have your allow, drive to the tunnel throughout its hours of operation. These hours change, however throughout most of Daylight Financial savings Time, they’re from 8:00 a.m. to eight:00 p.m.

Tunnel site visitors management is supplied by NPS rangers, and they’re going to point out when you could drive by way of the tunnel.

Security Suggestions

Throughout busy occasions, there may be loads of site visitors on the tunnel, and typically there are accidents as effectively. To make sure a protected journey, drive slowly as you method the tunnel. Look ahead to rangers and pedestrians. As you’re waiting for rangers, you should definitely observe any site visitors instructions from them as effectively. Don’t cease contained in the tunnel. Drive previous the tunnel kiosk on both facet earlier than making an attempt to show round.

Alternate Routes for Outsized RVs

In case your RV is just too massive to drive by way of the tunnel, you’ll must take different routes to your vacation spot.

• To Bryce Canyon: You possibly can take I-15 to State Route 20 in direction of Panguitch. This drive will add 63 miles and about that many minutes to your drive time.
• To Grand Canyon North Rim: Take State Route 59 to Highways 89A and 67 in Arizona. This can add 23 miles to your journey.

Finest Locations to Keep in Your RV

There are many choices for tenting in southern Utah. If you wish to camp contained in the park, you’ll wish to make reservations effectively prematurely. Campgrounds are extremely popular and refill rapidly. There are additionally RV parks outdoors Zion, each in close by small cities and in bigger cities like St. George. Lastly, there are some dispersed tenting choices as effectively.

• Inside Zion Nationwide Park: South Campground is a well-liked spot, however is closed for long-term rehabilitation work. Watchman Campground is open year-round, and you can also make reservations as much as six months forward of your go to. The campground is close to the South Entrance, and there are tent and electrical campsites out there. Every web site has a spot for a tent or RV, a picnic desk, and entry to a hearth ring.
• Close to the Park: There are some small cities close to the park with nice campgrounds as effectively. The Zion River Resort RV Park in Virgin has a heated pool and spa, a playground, and a mining sluice. Every web site has full hook-ups, a hearth ring, a picnic desk, and free Wi-Fi. Zion Utah Jellystone Park is in Hurricane and has a heated pool and a water park. There are wagon rides, sports activities courts, a playground, and plenty of leisure for teenagers. Campsites have full hookups, a picnic desk, a hearth ring, and free Wi-Fi. You’ll find extra campgrounds in Virgin, Hurricane, and Springdale. The bigger city of St. George additionally has loads of campgrounds.
• Dispersed Tenting and Boondocking: There are dispersed tenting and boondocking choices close to Zion Nationwide Park as effectively. The Crimson Cliffs Recreation Space begins about half an hour from the park and has 11 official campsites, though the world doesn’t permit dispersed tenting. Sand Cove is a free primitive tenting space simply 20 miles from St. George. Dispersed tenting can also be allowed in a number of the Upland Zone, though it’s exhausting to get a car in there. State Belief Lands alongside the Arizona border even have numerous dispersed tenting.

Scenic Stops and Sights Alongside Route 9

There are many scenic stops and points of interest to see when you’re driving Route 9 by way of southern Utah. A few of them are contained in the nationwide park … however there are additionally points of interest outdoors the park to see.

• Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel – The Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel was completed in 1930 and at 1.1 miles, was the longest of its kind in the US on the time. Six massive home windows are reduce into the sandstone cliffs so you may admire the surroundings of Zion as you journey. The tunnel value almost $2 million to construct – about $26 million in at this time’s cash.
• Canyon Overlook Path – The Canyon Overlook Path is simply east of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. The path is a straightforward one-mile hike with a small quantity of elevation achieve. You’ll get views of Pine Creek slot canyon, fern-covered shady alcoves, and slickrock terrain. There may be some publicity, however there are railings alongside the path. The path ends with a spectacular view over Zion Canyon. Additionally, preserve a watch out for bighorn sheep!
• Checkerboard Mesa – Checkerboard Mesa is a few mile from the west finish of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. On the mesa, you’ll see a Navajo Sandstone summit jutting greater than 6,520 ft into the air. You’ll additionally see cross-hatching on the sandstone, which appears to be like like a checkerboard.
• Springdale – Springdale is a small city on the southwestern entrance to Zion. You’ll discover artwork galleries, boutiques and different retailers, eating places, and rock and gem retailers.
• Grafton Ghost City – Grafton is a few mile south of Route 9 in Rockville. You’ll have to drive a 3.2-mile dust observe to get to the city. If you’re there, you’ll see a number of restored buildings, together with a schoolhouse. There’s additionally a cemetery with graves that date again to the 1860s. The perfect time to go to Grafton is within the spring or fall – summers can get sizzling.

Suggestions for Driving Route 9 in an RV

Driving Route 9 in an RV is an effective way to see the world, however you’ll wish to be ready. Right here’s what to find out about when and find out how to drive by way of the park.

• The perfect time to go to Zion Nationwide Park in an RV is within the spring or fall. There are extra crowds throughout summer time, and temperatures within the park can get above 100°F. Through the winter, there are fewer crowds, however roads may be icy or snowy.
• When driving steep grades, use decrease gears when your descending to cut back the pressure in your brakes. Attempt to keep away from using your brakes repeatedly. On steep sections, use turnouts to let sooner automobiles move you.
• Gasoline up earlier than you enter Zion Nationwide Park. There are not any gasoline stations contained in the park. Nevertheless, the close by city of Springdale has gasoline stations.
• Climate concerns: Climate is usually a massive issue alongside Route 9 at varied occasions of yr. Summers can convey excessive warmth, and it’s a good suggestion to keep away from mid-day journey in the event you can. July and August are additionally monsoon season, and also you’ll wish to be on alert for flash floods and thunderstorms. In winter, roads could also be icy, particularly at greater elevations. You’ll wish to convey chains in the event you’re driving by way of in winter. The perfect concept is to examine climate forecasts and street info earlier than you start your drive alongside Route 9.

Exploring Zion Nationwide Park in an RV

Exploring Zion Nationwide Park in an RV takes some planning. However it’s well-worth the trouble!

Parking and Shuttles

Parking in Zion, particularly in the course of the extra well-liked months, is usually a problem. Tons refill rapidly – often by 9 am. There may be an Oversize Automobile Lot close to the customer middle the place RVs can park, and you’ll take the shuttle to get to well-liked areas within the park. There may be additionally RV parking out there in Springdale, so you may park your RV on the town and take the shuttle into the park from there. You’ll find shuttle schedules and different info on the Zion Nationwide Park web site.

RVs – or some other automobiles – are usually not allowed on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive when the free shuttles are working – often from March by way of November.

Exploring the Park

The perfect methods to discover Zion throughout many of the yr are by shuttle, by biking, or by mountaineering. Taking the shuttle to well-liked trailheads means you received’t have to fret about lacking out on a hike since you couldn’t discover parking.

The Nationwide Park Service does warn that though individuals think about quiet hikes in solitude, the fact of Zion’s reputation means you’re in all probability going to be sharing the paths with loads of different nature lovers. Be ready to see numerous individuals when you’re out mountaineering, and to probably having to attend for a shuttle or two if there are many crowds.

For hikes, attempt one in every of these to expertise the park:

Various Scenic Drives for RV Vacationers

Apart from driving Zion Nationwide Park and it’s most well-known street, attempt these different scenic drives, or add some extra drives onto your journey:

• Kolob Canyons Highway: Kolob Canyons is a part of Zion Nationwide Park, however is about an hour from Zion Canyon. The 5-mile Kolob Canyons Highway drive showcases pink rock canyons, and the street takes you to varied trails and viewpoints alongside the best way. The street could also be closed in winter due to snow or ice.
• Kolob Terrace Highway: Kolob Terrace Highway begins in Virgin, Utah and takes drivers to Kolob Reservoir 25 miles away. The drive may be accomplished in beneath an hour. The street has loads of high-altitude surroundings, with a number of overlooks to admire the views. Some overlooks additionally function trailheads for hikes across the park. Save time to swim, fish, and boat within the reservoir on the finish of your drive.
• Scenic Byway 12 to Bryce Canyon & Grand Staircase-Escalante: This drive makes an ideal add-on for an extended journey, permitting you to discover extra of Utah’s parks and landmarks. The drive takes three hours straight by way of, however you could possibly permit days. You’ll move Kodachrome Basin, Escalante Petrified Forest, Anasazi State Park Museum, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef Nationwide Park. There are additionally quite a few different locations to hike, take scenic backways, and luxuriate in different outside actions.

Route 9 is a good looking, scenic drive by way of southern Utah. You’ll take pleasure in driving Zion Nationwide Park, however you’ll see way more on this journey as effectively. You’ll wish to plan forward, particularly for making tenting reservations, however your plans will repay with a spectacular journey!

In the event you don’t have your individual RV for this journey, RVshare might help! You’ll discover quite a lot of sizes and kinds of RV, so one is certain to be excellent to your Zion journey.