Tunnels are an alluring, fascinating a part of a street journey! We develop up on fairy tales about magic tunnels and secret portals. Even once we’re sensible grown-ups, there’s nonetheless somewhat little bit of surprise about venturing by means of tunnels. Drive-through pure tunnels are particularly fascinating as a result of they appear to mix proper into their environment. They’re a marvel of pure magnificence and human ingenuity, and so they make scenic street journey locations.
It’s even attainable to expertise some pure tunnels in an RV. It would be best to analysis the size of your rig forward of time, as some tunnels that may’t accommodate giant RVs or trailers. Some tunnels additionally provide the possibility to depart your RV behind and stroll by means of to expertise them as a substitute. You may additionally contemplate leaving your RV at your campsite and driving a tow automobile by means of the tunnel.
Nonetheless you select to discover these tunnels, listed below are just a few fascinating ones so as to add to your scenic street journey locations.
Tunnel Log – Sequoia Nationwide Park, California
Sequoia Nationwide Park is dwelling to the biggest tree on earth by quantity – the Basic Sherman Tree. The tree probably began rising earlier than the delivery of Jesus or the rise of the Roman Empire. Different timber within the park are even older. Sequoia additionally has the excellence of being California’s first nationwide park.
As a result of these historic timber are entrance and heart right here, it could be unsurprising to be taught that when one fell throughout a street in 1937, it wasn’t eliminated. Employees left the huge sequoia tree in place and as a substitute carved a tunnel into it so automobiles might drive by means of. It’s now one of many main focal factors of the park, and lots of guests make some extent of driving by means of the Tunnel Log.
Together with driving by means of Tunnel Log and visiting Basic Sherman, you possibly can tour Crystal Cave and see stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones underground. Stroll by means of Large Forest – a grove with greater than 8,000 large sequoias, together with Basic Sherman, and stroll one among a number of paths by means of the realm. Climb the greater than 350 stone steps of Morro Rock to the highest, the place you’ll get panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada mountain vary. Or hike 1.7 miles to Tokopah Falls to see the 1,200-foot waterfall.
About Driving the Tunnel Log
If you wish to drive by means of Tunnel Log, your automobile should be beneath 8 ft tall and shorter than 22 ft. The tunnel is 17 ft vast. These measurement restrictions forestall many RVs and trailers from being allowed within the tunnel, and there’s a bypass street for giant automobiles. The Tunnel Log is positioned alongside Crescent Highway, which is normally closed from November – Could for snow. Reservations are usually not required to drive by means of the tunnel.
Chandelier Drive-Through Tree – Leggett, California
The Chandlier Drive-Through Tree is a coast redwood tree with a tunnel carved into the trunk. It’s within the privately-owned Drive-Through Tree Park, the place individuals have visited it for the reason that Thirties. The tree is about 276 ft tall, and about 16 ft round at chest top. The tunnel is 6 ft vast and 6 ft 9 inches excessive.
It was named the “Chandelier Tree” due to its branches, which resemble a chandelier and start about 100 ft from the bottom.
Together with the drive-through tree, the park has a present store with souvenirs and memorabilia. There’s a duck pond on the park, and mountaineering paths take you thru the redwood grove the place the tree stands. The park is dog-friendly, however pets should be leashed.
The park is open each day from 8:30 am to sunset.
You’re additionally near the Avenue of the Giants, and to Smithe Redwoods State Pure Reserve if you wish to see extra redwood timber. You may additionally enterprise about three hours north to Redwood Nationwide Park for much more of those forest giants.
About Driving the Chandelier Drive-Through Tree
The Chandelier Drive-Through Tree is among the few remaining drive-through redwoods in California. The tunnel is giant sufficient to permit most traditional automobiles to drive by means of. Nonetheless, you could want to make use of the bypass you probably have a bigger motorhome or trailer. A close-by car parking zone means you possibly can park your RV or motorhome and stroll by means of the tree tunnel as a substitute of driving. It prices $15 to drive by means of the tunnel, and $10 to stroll, bike, or bike by means of.
Purple Arch Highway Tunnel – Bryce Canyon Space, Utah
The Purple Arch Highway Tunnel can be generally referred to as the Purple Canyon Tunnel. You could find it alongside Scenic Byway 12 on the best way to Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park. The tunnel is about miles east of U.S. Freeway 89 on State Route 12 close to Panguitch, Utah.
The tunnel is man-made – a tunnel that was carved by means of a placing purple rock formation in southern Utah. The tunnel was created in 1925 as a part of an try to enhance entry to what’s now Bryce Canyon. The tunnel’s opening was celebrated with a 315-car caravan and an look by Utah’s governor, George Dern.
Together with visiting the tunnel, you possibly can hike or mountain bike close by trails just like the Tunnel Path and Thunder Mountain Path. Go to the Purple Canyon Customer Heart for data on geology and ecology within the space. The tunnel can be a well-liked spot for pictures due to the purple rock panorama and blue skies. If you wish to take photos, go to the tunnel in early morning or late afternoon for one of the best lighting.
About Driving the Purple Arch Highway Tunnel
The tunnel has a vertical clearance of about 13 ft 6 inches, and a width restrict of 8 ft 6 inches vast. In case your automobile is taller or wider than that, you’ll need to use another path to Bryce Canyon. In case you’re undecided whether or not your automobile will make it, or need further recommendation, you possibly can contact the Utah Division of Transportation.
Nada Tunnel – Purple River Gorge, Kentucky
The Nada Tunnel (which is pronounced “nay-duh”) was carved by means of stable sandstone. It’s a single-lane tunnel in Powell County, Kentucky, and serves as a gateway to the Purple River Gorge Geological Space within the Daniel Boone Nationwide Forest. The tunnel is 900 ft lengthy and was constructed between 1910-1911 by the Dana Lumber Firm to assist transport lumber to a sawmill. Employees used dynamite, steam drills, and hand instruments to create the tunnel. It was initially 12 ft in top and width, however was expanded to 13 ft in top after a prepare bought caught.
Together with driving the Nada Tunnel, guests to the realm can hike, rock climb, and discover the Purple River Gorge. Search for petroglyphs at Nada Tunnel 1 and Nada Tunnel 2. Go to the Gladie Customer Heart to be taught concerning the space’s geology and historical past.
Native tales additionally point out the tunnel could be haunted. One story tells of a development employee who died when the tunnel was being created, after a stick of dynamite exploded whereas being thawed close to a fireplace. Guests say they’ve seen a mysterious inexperienced orb close to the tunnel entrance and heard unexplained sounds within the tunnel.
About Driving the Nada Tunnel
The Nada Tunnel now accommodates site visitors alongside Kentucky Route 77. The tunnel is 12 ft vast and 13 ft excessive, and just one automobile can undergo at a time. You’ll want to make sure there isn’t any oncoming site visitors within the tunnel earlier than you enter. Use your headlights to enhance visibility, so different site visitors can see your automobile and so you possibly can see as you drive. There isn’t a lighting contained in the tunnel. Drive slowly and be able to yield if you’ll want to. If in case you have a bigger automobile, you’ll need to confirm your measurement earlier than you attempt to drive by means of the tunnel. There’s not a bypass out there, so that you’ll must plan a wholly totally different route in case your automobile can’t make it by means of.
Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel – Zion Nationwide Park, Utah
The Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel is a crucial a part of Route 9 by means of Zion Nationwide Park in southern Utah and one of many scenic street journey locations on the park. When it was completed in 1930, the 1.1-mile tunnel was the longest of its sort in the USA. The tunnel is carved by means of stable sandstone. It has six giant home windows that enable in pure mild and air flow and supply superb, if temporary, views of the park as you drive.
This tunnel supplies entry whenever you’re driving from Zion to Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon, and different locations.
About Driving the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel
Commonplace passenger automobiles can use the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. Nonetheless, giant automobiles like RVs should use an escort as a result of they will’t get by means of the tunnel with out crossing over the middle line. All through the day, the tunnel closes to site visitors going the opposite method and RVs are allowed by means of the tunnel.
In case your automobile is 7 ft 10 inches vast and/or 11 ft 4 inches tall or bigger, you want a tunnel allow to drive with an escort. While you arrive at Zion, you’ll want to have your automobile measured on the entrance station. If it’s outsized, however nonetheless allowed within the tunnel, you should purchase a tunnel allow for $15. The allow permits you two journeys by means of the tunnel in the identical automobile inside seven days of buy. After you get your allow, you possibly can drive to the tunnel, current the allow, and comply with ranger directions. Automobiles which are 13 ft 1 inch tall or bigger, weigh greater than 50,000 kilos, are mixed automobiles over 50 ft lengthy, or are particular person automobiles greater than 40 ft lengthy are prohibited. Starting in mid-2026, Zion Nationwide Park plans to reroute all outsized automobiles and finish the escort program.
Security suggestions for driving the tunnel:
- Drive slowly as you strategy the tunnel. Look ahead to rangers and different pedestrians.
- Hear for and comply with ranger directions and site visitors instructions.
- Don’t cease contained in the tunnel.
- Drive previous the tunnel kiosk on both facet of the tunnel earlier than making an attempt to show round.
Wawona Tunnel – Yosemite Nationwide Park, California
The Wawona Tunnel at Yosemite Nationwide Park is a formidable engineering marvel with superb views of Yosemite Valley. The tunnel is on Freeway 41 (Wawona Highway), main into the valley from the south. It’s 4,233 ft lengthy, which makes it the longest freeway tunnel in California. The tunnel opened in 1933, and groups excavated by means of stable granite. The inside is usually unlined, so you possibly can lookup and see the uncooked rock in lots of locations. Employees used dynamite, steam-powered gear, and handbook labor to clear the tunnel.
As you emerge from the jap portal of the tunnel, look ahead to the Tunnel View pull-off, the place you possibly can cease and admire Yosemite Valley. This is among the most photographed spots on this planet and probably the most common scenic street journey locations. Households can get a tremendous shot of themselves in entrance of Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Fall.
About Driving the Wawona Tunnel
Commonplace automobiles can match within the Wawona Tunnel. As you’re coming into Yosemite Valley, the bottom level of the tunnel ceiling on the exterior curb is 10 ft 2 inches. As you’re exiting Yosemite Valley, the curb edge is 13 ft 6 inches excessive.
The utmost automobile size to undergo the tunnel is 45 ft for single automobiles. The tunnel is open year-round, though chains could also be required in winter.
Needles Eye Tunnel – Custer State Park, South Dakota
The Needles Eye Tunnel is among the most photographed spots in Custer State Park and one among its greatest scenic street journey locations. It’s a part of the Needles Freeway, which is a winding street by means of granite rock spires and sharp cliffs. The freeway was thought-about nearly unattainable to construct, and Governor Peter Norbeck personally marked out elements of the street on horseback.
Crews blasted by means of stable granite to construct the tunnel, which was formed to appear like the attention of a needle. You’ll be able to see one other granite spire close by that has a pure rock “eye” that appears much like the tunnel. A set of rock formations within the space is named the Needles, and a few of these rocks are 30 to 40 ft tall and needle-thin.
The tunnel and street are a favourite spot for photographers, motorcyclists, and hikers, and it’s particularly fairly within the fall when the foliage makes brilliant spots across the canyon.
About Driving the Needles Eye Tunnel
The tunnel is simply 8 ft 4 inches vast and 12 ft tall. RVs, trailers, and vast automobiles can’t match by means of the tunnel. Even some giant pickup vehicles must fold of their mirrors to get by means of!
The tunnel is just one lane, so site visitors takes turns driving by means of from either side. Through the summer season, there could also be delays throughout common instances on the park. The weeks across the Sturgis Bike Rally may also be busy and have backups. There are pull-offs close to the tunnel, so you possibly can cease and take photos.
The tunnel is closed to motor automobiles through the winter, normally from October till March. Hikers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers can undergo the tunnel on foot when it’s not open to automobiles. The street is unplowed, so that you get a serene, typically difficult, trek by means of the quiet of the park in winter.
Exploring tunnels made out of pure supplies is usually a stunning approach to see scenic street journey locations. These tunnels are built-in into park landscapes so that you simply nearly don’t discover they’re even there. While you do discover them, you possibly can marvel on the feats of engineering that went into making these buildings.
Most of those areas are close to wonderful campgrounds, so it’s simple to journey to them in an RV or trailer. Remember to test the size of any tunnel you need to journey by means of in an RV. With somewhat preparation and analysis forward of time, you possibly can get pleasure from an RV street journey by means of these tunnels…and to many different scenic street journey locations as effectively!
