If you visit ZION, do this drive

Discover the history of the beautiful Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. This gorgeous drive helps connect Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Thank you for watching!!
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⚡If you are planning a trip to Zion, we offer travel guides complete with itinerary and audio: wereintherockies.com/store/
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Other GREAT resources: 👇
⚡Zion trip planner video: • Zion Trip Planner 2021...
⚡Zion playlist: • Zion National Park
⚡Bryce trip planner video: • Bryce Canyon Trip Plan...
⚡Bryce playlist: • Bryce Canyon
⚡Read about 11 Cool Side Trips Between Zion and Bryce National Parks: wereintherockies.com/between-...
If you would like to learn more about the tunnel, here are two resources I used:
Zion Canyon Reader: amzn.to/3nvUCFc
The Zion Tunnel: amzn.to/3gP6nVS
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Chapters:
0:55 Background
3:20 How to get there
4:05 Stages
8:53 Scenic drive
11:06 Ho-made pies
11:25 Maynord Dixon
11:45 Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
11:56 Belly of the Dragon
Exit bridge: By Tylas at English Wikipedia, CC BY 2.5, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
Music by Juan Sánchez - Now The Silence - thmatc.co/?l=5AC6ED15
Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: bit.ly/b-now-the-silence​
"Tokyo Music Walker - Way Home" is under a Creative Commons (cc-by) license
Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: bit.ly/tokyo-walker-way-home​

[@rubyreyes3850]

Thanks again Matt for a well done video. Loved the history & the pics!! Going in Aug/Sept. Never saw or heard of Dragons Den...I’ll be checking that out on our way into Zion from Bryce!

[@rt3593]

Guys do more. . That was beautiful. Thanks so much, and will be watching all you do

[@ib5580]

I went to Zion 28 yrs ago and will be going again this July. We drove to Zion from the east, so my first glimpse of Zion was through those windows in the tunnel. I remember being awestruck. Your video made me relive those moments. 🥰 Loved learning some of the history behind the formation of this road and tunnels. ♥️♥️♥️ Your channel is becoming very helpful in preparation for our trip. Thank you for being willing to share of your knowledge. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 We will be doing Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon. 🏔💗

[@janmartenhoogebeen4980]

My wife and I (we are from the Netherlands) drove this highway last month and it was absolutely breathtaking. Very beautiful landscapes!

[@WereintheRockies]

Yes, it is. The Netherlands are beautiful too!

[@janmartenhoogebeen4980]

@@WereintheRockies Sure is, but on an another level and scale. Very good place to live though!

[@Rick-xt2cz]

An awesome, unforgettable section of our April 2021 Zion-Bryce road trip; even for the driver. There is a long (45 minutes during our drive) wait on either side of the tunnel........use your personal break wisely.

[@stefonthemove]

Planning a trip for September. You video was helpful!

[@SummitShakaLeathercrafts]

Thank you for your hard work! I hope to visit Zion soon!

[@mccamps4729]

Love, love the factual/historical info. Thank you. Will recommend your channel and itineraries.

[@WereintheRockies]

Please do! Thank you.

[@stopdamadness]

Very valuable information for anyone planning vacations out west. I see the channel getting a good following is your stick to it

[@yolivina445]

Im so happy I found your videos! Going to visit next week w 2 kids, and being we are from Miami, everything west is foreign to us.

[@scottmartin6955]

Thanks for the clip love all the information really helps us plan trip

[@WereintheRockies]

Our pleasure!

[@Top.Mallorca]

Very beautiful views! Like from Palma de Mallorca Spain!

[@maxman5555]

Wow! You have no Idea how much your videos have helped me. We are going to Utah’s mighty 5 next week & thanks to you & your wife we not only got tickets for Zion’s shuttle but also we have learned about what to do. Thanks

[@WereintheRockies]

Awesome!!

[@ChrisBrown-gw5tg]

Great video. My fam and I are going to southern utah and Northern Arizona in June for 12 days for national park-palooza! All of your videos have provided great info for us in planning our vaycay. Thank you!!

[@WereintheRockies]

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching!!

[@RussellMcCollom]

I am planning a trip in Oct. I stumbled onto your channel. I have learned so much from you guys. You do a GREAT job at explaining and showing the lay of the land and what to do and not to do in the places you talk about.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks so much, it's our pleasure.

[@marystahl]

You guys have the most helpful videos. We are going to be in Zion for three days and Bryce for three days beginning May 11. Thanks to your videos, we got shuttle tickets for Wednesday and Thursday for Zion. Thank you thank you thank you. It’s a small world so we may bump into you guys.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thank you!!

[@openmindedwonderer]

Wow, stunning. Amazing video 👍🏻

[@WereintheRockies]

Thank you very much!

[@marionmoulton5847]

We are doing the mighty 5 this fall. I can’t stop watching your videos! The best

[@WereintheRockies]

Ahh, thank you so much for watching! Excited for your trip - more videos of Canyonlands, Arches, and Capitol reef coming soon

[@lighthouse1464]

Thanks so much for the information. This will be so helpful for our trip in October.

[@WereintheRockies]

You're welcome. Enjoy your trip.

[@UTAH100]

Nice video. It's even better in person. Wish I saw belly of the dragon and the animal shelter. We enjoyed hiking Angels Landing and taking sunrise pics behind that Zion Human History building- the first structure on the left after entering the park from Springdale. The Parus Trail was simple but also very nice and peaceful with the stream running next to it and large mountains on either side. Everywhere you go in Zion is like a postcard you are in.

[@NilDreams]

This was amazing information on the history of the park and the tunnel. I am traveling with my 16 year old daughter and I think she will enjoy watching this video to learn all this history before getting there. Thank you!!

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it. Have a great time with your daughter!!

[@NtwrkTeam]

Thank you for all of the work you put into this, we are going to be in Zion in August and will certainly take the time to visit this route. Our favorite routes are C082 in Colorado (Aspen to Twin Lakes) and US1 (Florida City to Key West)

[@WereintheRockies]

I'll have to look up those routes! Thanks for sharing

[@rlaw7548]

Awesome video with history. Very nice. Wish I have watched this before my Zion trip 3 weeks ago.

[@WereintheRockies]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@hollythomas6875]

Very informative!! Our favorite scenic drive is the drive up to Mt Lemmon to Summerhaven outside of Tucson...it will take you to the most southern ski resort .

[@WereintheRockies]

I’m going to put that on my list!

[@larrydraper4451]

This drive is in my travel plans for this year. Finally traveling thru Utah. I've watched this video a few times. I really enjoy the history lessons you give and the scenery is beautiful. Thanks.

[@WereintheRockies]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@roberttobin3609]

Love this video. We have visited the Park twice in the last two years and driven this road a few times in both directions. The video captures the magic perfectly. It's even more spectacular as the sun is going down, and the mountains look as if they are made from solid gold! Thank you for sharing this experience for all to enjoy.❤

[@WereintheRockies]

You're welcome and thanks for sharing!

[@lisablanton6842]

Great video! Will definitely help us plan our trip in October. We will stay in Glendale & visit Zion, Bryce, & GC North Rim. Hope to stop at Best Friends Sanctuary too! Thank you so much. ❤

[@WereintheRockies]

Have a great time!

[@johngawrylash7732]

We drove from Las Vegas through Cedar Breaks first, then Bryce Canyon, Escalante, wish we had more time for Capitol Reef, North Rim of the Grand Canyon and then entered Zion from the east on our way back to Vegas. The drive into the park from the east, I would highly recommend.Springdale is a wonderful town to stay in for several nights.

[@pennybaer6197]

This drive sounds interesting,how many days did it take to get to Zion,we will be going to Zion from Vegas in October

[@johngawrylash7732]

@@pennybaer6197 Zion is only about 3 hours tops from Las Vegas but we were on a 9 day tour. If you've seen the Grand Canyon, and if i were to take this trip again, I would skip the Grand Canyon and see Capitol Reef. Sothern Utah has many more state parks as well. Well worth the trip.

[@matthewculpepper5261]

Just got back from a week in Zion. It was interesting to learn about the history (and love the historical photos!) of the Highway. We were curious about the "galleries" and appreciate the insight. Oh, to answer your question: Going to the Sun Road is the clear choice. Happy travels!

[@WereintheRockies]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@turidhelenkjnvik5491]

Good that I found this kanal😎

[@marciasmith6155]

Just visited Zion National Park with Tauck tours! It was excellent and was our favorite NP (Bryce, Canyonlands, Grand Canyon)! Your videos are excellent. Thank you

[@WereintheRockies]

That is awesome!

[@xWeaponOfChoicex]

In December 2021we had to take this road during a bad snow storm on the way from Zion to Antelope Canyon! It took us two hours driving at a crawl in our rental car which happened to be a Camaro! Even though it was frightening it was an amazing drive and I've been obsessed with it since.

[@WereintheRockies]

Wow! Sounds like quite the adventure. Glad you were safe and that you liked it.

[@turidhelenkjnvik5491]

Amazing Landskap You give us good info An trip like that,need a good planning Ihave subs From norway

[@WereintheRockies]

Glad it was helpful!

[@fsusarge]

My favorite scenic drive, despite living in the state which features the overseas highway to key west and have traversed a good bit of the Blue Ridge parkway, is Trail Ridge Road in RMNP!

[@kentkippes5773]

RMNP?

[@fsusarge]

@@kentkippes5773 Rocky Mountain National Park, Chief.

[@happytimes724]

You did an awesome job with this vid. Thank you, for I have not been yet ........Yet.

[@WereintheRockies]

You're weldome. Thanks for watching!

[@sunyoo1838]

You earn my subscription. I liked your diving in the history of Zion. *♡~

[@WereintheRockies]

Thank you !

[@kknenglois9185]

This place really Amazed me 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 Greetings from Pacific

[@WereintheRockies]

Beautiful isn't it? Glad you enjoyed it.

[@fsusarge]

I've just added something on my to-do list....

[@bluecollarbarry]

Sitting in Zion now and this video saved me I was so confused about where and where not to drive

[@WereintheRockies]

Glad we could help!

[@alvarogaitan2529]

fantastic job thanks

[@WereintheRockies]

You’re welcome!

[@josecovarrubias9296]

Well done, enjoyable and educational. I'd like to suggest if you are riding a big heavy motorcycle you will want to do this loop coming in from the east entrance of the tunnel. On the west entrance with all the switchback going up, the climb is steep with road grade, cars can be backed up, you will have to stop and hold your bike up learning into the slope on one leg, five minutes of this can seem like an eternity, safe travels.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks for watching and thanks for the tip!

[@steviejd5803]

Thanks for posting, we are driving from Kanab so I guess we have to take this drive, oh well…..😊

[@WereintheRockies]

Yes you do! 😉

[@loisberry5613]

I love the historical information you provide. Really interesting. I’ll be there in a month. Curious how long the drive takes

[@WereintheRockies]

In September the shuttle is still running so you'll have to ride it. If you don't get out at any of the stops, it will take about an hour and a half. You can get more information in our article wereintherockies.com/zion-shuttle-guide/ or from the Zion National Park website www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/zion-canyon-shuttle-system.htm

[@mikemike2815]

Beartooth Highway, at least so far before visiting Zion. Excellent series of informative, interesting videos.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks! The Beartooth Highway is much longer and much more majestic than this drive. I'd say it wins. But this is still really cool! (I also have a Beartooth Highway video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4aZdYiljtShgdE)

[@jeanduranko4157]

Beautiful place. Your voice is putting me to sleep.

[@erinbroderick2819]

Great video. I do this drive once a month.

[@WereintheRockies]

That's awesome!

[@DaveWaltman]

First, thanks so much for the time/energy you put into your videos. We are doing a loop from Vegas to Zion to Bryce to Antelope to Sedona/Grand Canyon and Phoenix. This video touched on something I've been wondering about...later hikes. Everyone says....go early, go early, go early! Since we are traveling in April, does it make sense at times to do the more crowded hikes in the afternoon or late afternoon and do the less crowded hikes in the morning? We hope to do 2 a day and thought that might be a better strategy. Any thoughts on this approach? Thank you.

[@WereintheRockies]

I like the idea and I often follow it myself. You’re right - one can only get up so early and that can be miserable sometimes anyway. Lol Going after 3 or 4 is often great because the crowds clear out. However, it’s pretty hot 🥵 as well.

[@aaronboulais4498]

My favorite drive is the June Lake Loop in June Lake California. You have to try hard to take a bad picture in that place!

[@tyler1783]

if I only have a few hours at Zion this seems like the best thing to do right? great video!

[@WereintheRockies]

Yes. If you do this drive, you won't have to wait for a shuttle. You should also try to do the Canyon Overlook trail that is right at the end of the tunnel. The trail ends in a beautiful overlook (it's aptly named 😉).

[@allafrost2016]

Hello Matt, Thank you very much for the interesting and helpful video. We will be in Zion and Bryce Canyons at the end of August. It will be our first trip there. We will be staying in Zion Lodge (stop N5 for the shuttle) and from there going to Bryce. I would like to double-check that we can take Zion-Mount Carmel Hwy from the Lodge and leave via Zion's east entrance, before driving up to Bryce Canyon. I also read that the best way to get to Bryce from Zion is by taking Route 9 out of Zion to Route 89 north to Route 12 into Bryce Canyon. I am interested in your opinion. Thank you. You are great.

[@WereintheRockies]

Yes you can take the Zion-Mt Carmel Hwy from the lodge and leave via the east entrance. The route you're planning to take is what we would do. Here's one of our articles that may interest you. Eleven Cool Side Trips Between Zion and Bryce: wereintherockies.com/between-zion-bryce/

[@allafrost2016]

@@WereintheRockies Hello Matt, Thank you very much for your response. The article is very helpful and will make our trip more enjoyable.

[@hmt1946]

Thank you for the video . Is this the road we take if we are driving from Zion NP to Bryce Canyon NP ?

[@WereintheRockies]

Yes

[@bethbartlett5692]

Appreciate this Video Info/Share, my Son and his GF are taking a Vacation there soon. Flying to Vegas and "Road Trip"! (We lived in NV 17 yrs) back in TN now and we appreciate the beauty of the West. I'm so excited for him, so I'm enjoying gather info. This may be of great benefit for him. Best Wellbeing ... BTW 1222 Numerology = (Synchronicity of of Blessings from God) 🔑

[@WereintheRockies]

Thank you. We hope it is helpful to him. We have a whole Southern Utah playlist that might be of interest to him. kzbin.info/aero/PLbhuXgSSAbWbSMEJsXz0GcX-4NJ5R-Wey

[@bettynesbitt4503]

We are coming nov 23 thru nov 26 should we book shuttle tickets for Zion? Your videos have been so informative for our upcoming trip, thank you.

[@WereintheRockies]

Currently, visitors do not need shuttle reservations/tickets. Here is the official shuttle page for Zion National Park: www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/zion-canyon-shuttle-system.htm

[@bettynesbitt4503]

Perfect, thanks again.

[@yolivina445]

My fam is headed to Zion park (staying at best western plus) from Vegas for a full day & then headed towards lake powell. The kids would love this drive through this tunnel. Since we are short on time, would it make more sense to drive through on our way into zion or on our way out to Lake Powell? Wouldn't want to end up way out of our route but not sure going through & turning back around, re-entering tunnel is any better of a time saver. Thanks in advance for any suggestions 😊

[@WereintheRockies]

The fastest way from Zion to lake Powell is on the Zion mt Carmel highway, so yes, drive that on the way out.

[@yolivina445]

@@WereintheRockies thank you!!!

[@yolivina445]

@@WereintheRockies Would that (Zion to LP) be the West entrance? Is the East entrance way prettier?

[@WereintheRockies]

Mmmm, they are both amazing, actually. From LaVerkin to Springdale is a nice drive as well, with interesting mountain formations along the way

[@ohdirtracer]

We are looking forward to visiting this park in May of this year. Do you have recommended cabin rentals in the area?

[@WereintheRockies]

Here are a couple articles we've written about lodging and camping in and around Zion: wereintherockies.com/zion-lodging/ and wereintherockies.com/zion-national-park-where-to-camp-glamp-or-boondock/

[@ohdirtracer]

@@WereintheRockies Thank you!

[@yvettebarragan5893]

Have you ever been through the tunnels in the Colorado mountains?? Going from Denver to Idaho springs Colorado??

[@yvettebarragan5893]

The twin tunnels is what I'm talking about!! But then there is the The Eisenhower tunnels are the highest vehicular tunnels in the world !!

[@divinamadlangbayan585]

What is the clearance of the tunnel? I have a high roof van(9.5 ft) and concern if my van will fit.

[@WereintheRockies]

See this www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/the-zion-mount-carmel-tunnel.htm

[@mbxmom]

We will probably only have one day in the park. I wanted to do this drive but then got thinking when we were finished we probably wouldn't have a place to park to explore the park. Seems like maybe we need to do one or the other? Thoughts?

[@WereintheRockies]

You should be able to do both. If you're worried about parking, I would suggest park your car and go explore Zion. You can easily go drive the scenic drive later in the day.

[@sharonteeters6703]

Our favorite scenic drive is going to the sun road! 😊

[@WereintheRockies]

We haven't done it for a few years but are hoping to make it back soon

[@MARCELOOLIVEIRA-lg2gv]

im getting organized for march 4 and 6 2025 my son his handicap !!

[@WereintheRockies]

Good luck! You're going to love it.

[@freekick129]

so does this drive cost money?

[@charliechan4350]

which way has better view - from Bryce to Zion direction, or from Zion to Bryce direction?

[@WereintheRockies]

I would say from Bryce to Zion.

[@Elchapa130]

So the shuttle doesn’t pass by through here huh? First time at Zion so I thought you couldn’t drive thru Zion but I think that’s only on the main road?

[@WereintheRockies]

Correct, the shuttle does not go on this road. It only goes on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (the one way in, one way out road).

[@stevendirks6239]

Why were 4 of the 6 tunnel galleries closed?

[@WereintheRockies]

I believe they are all open.

[@1heavymetal2]

Can you drive this year round without riding the shuttle…? Headed that way on my motorcycle today…

[@WereintheRockies]

Yes!

[@1heavymetal2]

@@WereintheRockies ok… thank you… it’s saying on the web site that I cannot drive it… 🤦🏻‍♂️ I will be finding out… thank you

[@WereintheRockies]

The drive in this video is called the Zion-Mt Carmel Highway. There is another road inside Zion National Park called the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, this one requires a shuttle during peak season.

[@1heavymetal2]

@@WereintheRockies Thanks… I made it and done it twice v then headed to Bryce Canyon the next day… was spectacular… need to come back this winter and do the scenic drive…

[@jaqik6739]

So you can actually drive around Zion without catching the shuttle?

[@WereintheRockies]

You can drive this particular scenic drive (Zion-Mt Carmel Hwy) without using a shuttle but if you want to go on the "out and back" Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, you will need to use the shuttle, unless you're going in the winter. The shuttles don't operate in the winter months. For specific information, here is the NPS site about the shuttles: home.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/zion-canyon-shuttle-system.htm

[@LaRa-youknowit]

Does it cost to do this drive?

[@WereintheRockies]

The drive itself does not cost anything but because it goes through Zion National Park, you will need to pay a $30 park entrance fee.

[@_ZATI_]

So the scenic drive is now open to the public

[@Surrfside24]

this road is always open to the public, you may be thinking of the road that goes to angels landing and the narrows. that road is still and will probably continue to be shuttle bus only in the busy season.

[@WereintheRockies]

If you are planning a trip to Zion, check out our self-guided tour itinerary! wereintherockies.com/store/ Thanks for watching.