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The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is a scenic drive that runs through Zion National Park in Utah. We drove the highway from the east entrance of the park to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
The Drive
There are plenty of opportunities to stop and take photos at unmarked pullouts along the road. Traffic, however, can be an issue due to the 1.1 mile long tunnel completed in 1930 and several curves. It’s best to drive slowly and carefully. The highway was built between 1927 and 1930.
Checkerboard Mesa
We only made one stop along the road to snap a photo of Checkerboard Mesa and the surrounding area.
The Tunnel
The rest of our trip down the highway was admired from the car. We had to wait a few minutes to pass through the tunnel, but after we reached the other end the hairpin turns were fun.
Canyon Overlook Trail
Just before the eastern entrance to the tunnel is a parking lot for the Canyon Overlook Trail. It’s a one mile round-trip trail up to scenic views of lower Zion Canyon and Pine Creek Canyon. The lot was completely full both times we passed it, so I’ll have to save that trail for next time.
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Further along the highway past Canyon Junction is the Zion Human History Museum, then access to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center before the southern entrance to the park.
