Zion National Park Guide: Scenic Drives
Zion National Park Highlights
- Zion National Park is accessible from the west, south, and east entrances. From UT 9 you can enter through Springdale and Virgin from the south and from Mount Carmel from the east. The entrance fee for cars is $20 per vehicle and is valid for seven days, fees for bikes and pedestrians is $10 and is also valid for seven days. There are tunnel restrictions in the park. Vehicles that cannot meet the 11-foot, 4-inch criteria must pay a $10 escort fee. A representative will close both sides of the tunnel and escort you through the center of the tunnel.
- The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, also known as Zion Park Scenic Byway, is the stretch of road (UT 9) between Mount Carmel and the south entrance of Zion National Park. If coming from Mount Carmel, enter the park by the east entrance and stop at the Checkerboard Mesa pull-off for a classic view of weathered sandstone with cross hatching. At the Canyon Overlook parking area there is trail access for a short one-mile jaunt to stretch your legs. Continue on the road and you'll pass through the narrow Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and then close to the 400-foot Great Arch. Further on UT 9 you will reach the visitor center and the south entrance.
- At the south entrance, you can catch the 6.6-mile shuttle from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center into the canyon on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. On the route you can stop at such places as Court of the Patriarchs, Emerald Pools, Zion Lodge, Angels Landing, and Weeping Rock. The trailheads at most of these stops offer some nice hikes of all levels ranging from one to five miles round trip.
- Beginning in Virgin on UT 9, you can head north to Kolob Terrace Road. This road climbs nearly 4,500 feet as it takes you on a scenic drive past trailheads such as Right Fork, Grapevine, Left Fork, Hop Valley, Wildcat Canyon, and Lava Point. Ultimately the road ends at Kolob Reservoir. You can either plan to stay the night at Lava Point Campground or turn around and head back down the road back to Virgin.
- At the northwest part of Zion National Park is Kolob Canyons Road. Enter Kolob Canyons by way of US 15 and turn past the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center onto Kolob Canyons Road. On the route you will see some nice scenery and views. At Lees Pass is the trailhead into the 14-mile round trip hike to Kolob Arch. At the end of the road is Kolob Canyons Viewpoint, a great place for photos.
By Travel Expert:
Kim Lipker
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