Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel - East Entrance — Attraction in Four Corners States

The Zion-Mount Carmel East Entrance serves as a gateway to Zion National Park, located in southwestern Utah. This entrance is particularly notable for providing access to the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, a scenic drive that offers breathtaking views and unique geological formations.

Upon entering, visitors are greeted with stunning vistas of Zion's iconic red rock formations. The highway itself is a marvel, featuring a series of switchbacks and the historic Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, which is nearly a mile long. This tunnel is a highlight, providing a thrilling experience as you drive through its narrow and dimly lit passage, with occasional "windows" that offer glimpses of the towering canyon walls outside.

The East Entrance is generally less crowded than the main South Entrance, making it a good choice for visitors seeking a quieter entry point. However, it is important to note that vehicles over a certain size must have an escort through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, which can result in wait times, especially during peak seasons.

There are fewer amenities compared to the South Entrance. However, nearby towns like Springdale offer a range of services, including dining, lodging, and equipment rentals.

The East Entrance is ideal for those coming from Bryce Canyon National Park or the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, providing a scenic and direct route into Zion. It's also a good starting point for exploring the eastern and central areas of the park.

The Zion-Mount Carmel East Entrance offers a scenic and less congested entry into Zion National Park, with unique features like the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and Checkerboard Mesa, a distinct sandstone formation with a unique crisscross pattern, easily visible from the road. It's a great choice for visitors looking to experience the park's natural beauty while avoiding some of the crowds found at the...

Driving through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel was one of the most memorable parts of our Zion trip. The tunnel itself is a feat of engineering—long, narrow, and carved right into the sandstone cliffs. It feels like you’re driving through the heart of the canyon.

We entered from the East Entrance, and the drive leading up to the tunnel was absolutely stunning—winding roads, dramatic rock formations, and jaw-dropping scenery at every turn. The tunnel is dark inside (no interior lights), but windows cut into the rock provide quick flashes of the canyon view.

Pro tips: • Larger vehicles may need an escort, so check ahead. • Traffic is one-way at times, so expect a short wait. • Drive slowly and enjoy the transition from high desert to...

Depending on the time of day and time of year, this tunnel can be quick and painless or a tortuous ordeal. When the tunnel is closed to oversized vehicles, it will be two-way traffic unless a small trailer or tour bus is coming through and then they will close it to one-way traffic only until the vehicle gets out of the tunnel. The rangers are usually on duty from 0730 to 1630 hours daily but that is always subject to change. Best bit of advice, the earlier the better before traffic picks up in the late morning until early evening. There is a restroom on the north side of the road, approximately 200-300 yards before the entrance to the tunnel with limited parking...