State Route 9

Zion National Park requires a fee (per vehicle) for entry. It is a very expensive through route to St. George from Mount Carmel.

10/25/03

This is the first shield along westbound Utah 9 as it leaves Mount Carmel.

10/25/03

Mileage sign along westbound for Springdale and St. George. The east entrance, main visitors center, and various attractions in Zion National Park are omitted.

10/25/03

This is the last shield along westbound Utah 9 before entering Zion National Park.

10/25/03

Utah 9 comes to its route break here, as the highway enters Zion National Park. This is the last chance to turn around before paying the park entry fee per vehicle.

10/25/03

Upon entering Zion National Park, Utah 9 changes into the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Since the Utah Department of Transportation does not maintain the section of highway within the park, Utah 9 technically has a route break through the park. However, for continuity we'll continue to refer to the route as Utah 9. At least here the routing is the same at both ends of the park; it is much more complicated in Yellowstone National Park, with seven U.S. routes coming from various directions, and three of them not resuming on the other side. Utah 9, meanwhile, passes through a few sandstone rock formations before it reaches Zion Valley.

10/25/03

Utah 9 retains its narrow sense as it passes by this cliff in Zion.

10/25/03

The first tunnel in Zion along westbound is a teaser compared to the main tunnel that passes under Bridge Mountain. At least with this tunnel, motorists can see end to end without difficulty. The same cannot be said for the curving Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.

10/25/03

The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway (Utah 9) approaches Bridge Mountain, under which the highway will pass to reach the Zion Narrows.

10/25/03

The warning sign on this guard station should be heeded. The tunnel interior is very dark, and it is over a mile in length. A bright sunny day contrasts poorly with the dark interior.

10/25/03

The Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, which passes under Bridge Mountain, was constructed in the 1920s, and it was designed with no interior lights, occasional glimpses to the valley below through open vents, and a small size since it was designed to accommodate small vehicles from another era. Vehicles sized 7'10" in width or 11'4" in height, or larger, must have an escort through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.

10/25/03

After exiting the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, Utah 9 winds its way to the floor of the valley, passing by some magnificent vistas of the rock formations that line the surrounding mountains. At the bottom of the multiple switchbacks that carry Utah 9 down from the tunnel, the highway straightens out as it reaches the primary visitors center. The visitors center provides the primary parking area to explore the main attraction of Zion National Park, which is walking the Virgin River Narrows. Tour buses depart on a regular schedule during the tourist season (usually April through October) to mitigate traffic through the Narrows. Plenty of hiking opportunities are available at the various stops along the route of the tour buses.

10/25/03

The last tour bus stop (and the point furthest away from the visitors center) is the hiking trail leading into the Zion Narrows from the Temple of Sinawawa. This path shows the narrow canyon that contains just enough room to squeeze a footpath alongside the river. During floods, this entire canyon can flood.

10/25/03