Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel
Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel
4.5
About
A spectacular entry into Zion National Park that consists of a 1.1-mile long tunnel and a highway that slowly winds down from a high plateau.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
28 within 5 kms
Attractions
30 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
648 reviews
Excellent
354
Very good
200
Average
78
Poor
10
Terrible
6
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN6,582 contributions
Feb 2021
Historic 1 mile long tunnel along the Zion-Mt Carmel Highway is quite a fun experience. Sections along the tunnel are cut out like windows which is pretty cool. The tunnel occasionally is closed to only 1 way traffic when a small truck or RV has to make it's way through but these back ups didn't last too long when I was visiting.
Written 10 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda P
Ballston Spa, NY416 contributions
Oct 2020
I have a national pass, but did not realize a driver without needs to pay the $35.00 park entrance to go through- being on designated NRA land. The only other road to go north goes down to Hurricane, into Arizona and then back up through Kanab- huge time expense. Love the tunnel, amazing feat
Written 18 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane K
13 contributions
June 2021
We took the scenic drive on RT. 9, heading out of Zion leading us through the impressive Mt. Carmel Tunnel! We were fortunate enough to find a parking spot near the Canyon Overlook Trail, which I recommend hiking for a breathtaking view.
Written 30 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janka K
Brno, Czech Republic8,707 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Since the road in the tunnel is is just the one way road, the cars in opposite direction need to take turn. The traffic is well organized, but despite that, it takes a lot of time to get through the tunnel.
The tunnel itself is carved into rock and it's surely an unique object. But inside of the tunnel I had a bit of claustrophobic feeling, even though I normally don't have this problem.
The tunnel itself is carved into rock and it's surely an unique object. But inside of the tunnel I had a bit of claustrophobic feeling, even though I normally don't have this problem.
Written 21 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DannyWasserman
Virginia Beach, VA4,616 contributions
Nov 2021
This is a must see and do travel thru the tunnel and see the cut outs as you drive through. The light reflects through and is breathe taking. The tunnel is longer than you think, so be ready for some fun. Larger vehicles need a permit to get in and out.
Written 28 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlpinerHut
Chantilly, VA1,204 contributions
Oct 2021
Yes, there's light at the end of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. But there's also light along the side, too.
This is a tunnel with . . . windows!
Built from 1927 to 1930 to provide an easier way to get from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park, this 1.1-mile tunnel has six "galleries" (windows) along one side that provide light and ventilation. During construction, the tunnel's debris was dumped through those galleries into the canyon below. Today, they make for a surprising moment for the unsuspecting.
TIPS:
* Driving up Zion-Mount Carmel Highway (see my review, "Up, up and away") toward the tunnel, you'll see The Great Arch. Look to the right and you'll see what we thought was a cave, then later realized was one of the tunnel's galleries (windows). Makes for a nice photo and travel story.
* When you come out of the tunnel heading east, you'll immediately see the Canyon Overlook parking lots, recognizable because they are almost always full. Park there, if you can, to do Canyon Overlook Trail, which leads to a great view of lower Zion Canyon. Keep driving east to see Checkerboard Mesa (see my review, "Make your move").
This is a tunnel with . . . windows!
Built from 1927 to 1930 to provide an easier way to get from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park, this 1.1-mile tunnel has six "galleries" (windows) along one side that provide light and ventilation. During construction, the tunnel's debris was dumped through those galleries into the canyon below. Today, they make for a surprising moment for the unsuspecting.
TIPS:
* Driving up Zion-Mount Carmel Highway (see my review, "Up, up and away") toward the tunnel, you'll see The Great Arch. Look to the right and you'll see what we thought was a cave, then later realized was one of the tunnel's galleries (windows). Makes for a nice photo and travel story.
* When you come out of the tunnel heading east, you'll immediately see the Canyon Overlook parking lots, recognizable because they are almost always full. Park there, if you can, to do Canyon Overlook Trail, which leads to a great view of lower Zion Canyon. Keep driving east to see Checkerboard Mesa (see my review, "Make your move").
Written 27 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ianschneller
Dallas, TX340 contributions
Nov 2020
Not necessarily an attraction to see a tunnel (which is dark) but a great drive with very nice views along the way. Plan on delays due to the curves and traffic. Be sure to hike the short trail right after passing through the tunnel for great views. NOTE!! The tunnel closes each evening (4:15 if I recall) so plan your return trip accordingly! Spend time exploring the East side of the park which doesn't have trails per se, but many places exist to safely explore.
Written 30 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelerCentralFLA
Clermont, FL1,866 contributions
May 2022
The Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel is an historic tunnel that is on the east side of Zion National Park shortly after the east entrance to the park. Highway 9 comes into the park and passes through the tunnel. There are some windows in the tunnel and the views from the windows are nice. You are not allowed to stop to look out, but as you drive past them you do get a view (especially if you are a passenger and not the driver). The tunnel is about 1 mile long and there can be delays at times because large vehicles have to pass through the tunnel alone because it can be narrow. We drove through on our way into the park after we were coming into Zion from the Bryce Canyon area.
Written 30 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Passport798491
11 contributions
July 2020
We loved our drive through the tunnel, and then learned about its history from our friends at Zion Ponderosa. It is a marvel of human engineering and natural wonder. Worth the few minutes we waited in line for the park ranger to let our group of cars through.
Written 9 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rdsm77
Tucson, AZ395 contributions
June 2022
Literally the only thing I really saw in Zion and there's nothing to see when you're driving. Can't stop and look out the windows. Horrible traffic with lines backed up on both sides. They stopped traffic for 20 minutes before going into the tunnel with no explanation as to why we're not moving. Terrible experience.
Written 12 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What time does the tunnel open and close? Going the last week of April. Thank you...
Written 21 March 2021
You'll want to check with the Park to be certain. I don't recall the details except that it closed earlyish when we were there in November.
Written 24 April 2021
Tunnel-phobic person here. Is it reasonably possible to drive from Bryce to Grand Canyon without going through the tunnel?
Written 3 August 2016
firstly, do you mean Zion vs Bryce? if you mean to start at Bryce, you avoid the tunnel if you stay on 89, its a 5 hr drive to the grand canyon village on the southern ridge. if you start at Zion and want to avoid the tunnel, its about the same as if you did go through the tunnel. you would just have to add in wait time on the tunnel and traffic in general. my information comes from google maps with bryce canyon as the start and grand canyon village as the end, and springdale(zion) going to the same grand canyon village
Written 5 August 2016
if you have a personal car, no. if you have a larger vehicle its a $15 fee. larger then 11 feet in height or 7 feet wide. you receive and pay for the permit at the tunnel entrance, whether you are heading into Zion or out of Zion. if you are renting an RV, if its a small camper or a large RV, i would check the heights before heading to the tunnel
Written 5 August 2016
Showing results 1-3 of 3
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing