Driving Zion National Park Route 9 in an RV

Zion National Park is a wonderful destination for RV travelers … and national park lovers as a whole. It’s one of Utah’s Mighty Five national parks. The striking canyons and scenic overlooks of Zion have been photographed and painted numerous times, and it’s likely you’ve seen pictures even if you’ve never been.

Utah as a whole is also a very RV-friendly state. Along with Utah’s five national parks, there are lots of state parks to explore. Cities like St. George, Moab, and Hurricane encourage visitors to venture outdoors. And there are plenty of campgrounds all across the state.

Route 9 in southern Utah is another excellent way to explore the outdoors. You’ll be driving Zion National Park, but you’ll also pass small towns, beautiful vistas, and historic sites on the route as well.

This article will share everything you need to know to drive Route 9 and other parts of southern Utah. We’ll look at route details, RV restrictions, must-see stops, and travel tips to help you plan your trip.

Route 9: The Gateway to Zion

Utah’s Scenic Byway Route 9 is the main road through Zion National Park, but it passes other important southern Utah landmarks as well.

Near I-15, where the byway begins, it gives drivers access to Quail Creek State Park and Sand Hollow State Park. You’ll then travel through Hurricane, Virgin, Rockville, and Springdale before you get to the entrance to Zion National Park. While you’re near Rockville, you can stop to visit Grafton ghost town, which was featured in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. See a historic cemetery, and other buildings that tell the stories of Utah’s Mormon settler past. The town also has great views of Zion National Park.

Route 9 then travels past the visitor center and museum and many notable Zion landmarks. You’ll see towering red sandstone cliffs and striking mesas. It also follows the Virgin River, making it a scenic, unforgettable drive.

Route 9 encompasses the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which leads to popular trailheads like Angels Landing and The Narrows. This portion of the drive is only accessible via free shuttle bus from March through November – peak tourist season. The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway with its 1.1-mile tunnel that connects the east and west sides of the park, is open year-round.

The drive begins at exit 16 on I-15 on the western side, passes through Zion National Park, and ends at the eastern junction with U.S. Route 89. It’s a grand total of 57.075 miles.

RV Restrictions and Permit Requirements

One exciting part of the drive through Zion is the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. It provides direct access to drive between Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and Zion – very helpful if you’re trying to visit the Mighty Five in one road trip.

There are size restrictions for vehicles that drive through the tunnel. You’ll also need a permit and an escort if you’re in an RV. Here’s what to know:

Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel Size Restrictions

In 1989 the Federal Highway Administration conducted a survey and discovered that large vehicles like RVs couldn’t manage the winding tunnel without crossing over the center line. After that, the National Park Service instituted an escort service. Every so often throughout the day, the tunnel is closed to traffic coming the other way, to allow RVs to drive safely through the tunnel.

• Tunnel Permit Required: If your rig is 7 feet 10 inches wide and/or 11 feet 4 inches tall or larger, you will need to purchase a tunnel permit and drive through with an escort.
• Prohibited Vehicles: Rigs are not allowed in the tunnel at all if they are:
  • 13 feet 1 inch tall or larger
  • Semi-trucks
  • Carrying hazardous materials
  • Weigh more than 50,000 pounds
  • Are more than 40 feet long
  • Are combined vehicles over 50 feet long
  • Bicycles and pedestrians are not allowed in the tunnel

In mid-2026, Zion National Park plans to reroute all oversized vehicles and stop the escort program. At that point, all RV drivers will need to find alternate routes.

How To Get a Permit

When you arrive at Zion, have your vehicle measured at the entrance station. If it is oversized (but not so big it’s prohibited), you can purchase your tunnel permit there for $15. Your permit is good for two trips through the tunnel for the same vehicle within seven days of purchase.

After you have your permit, drive to the tunnel during its hours of operation. Those hours change, but during most of Daylight Savings Time, they are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Tunnel traffic control is provided by NPS rangers, and they will indicate when you may drive through the tunnel.

Safety Tips

During busy times, there can be a lot of traffic at the tunnel, and sometimes there are accidents as well. To ensure a safe trip, drive slowly as you approach the tunnel. Watch for rangers and pedestrians. As you’re watching for rangers, be sure to follow any traffic directions from them as well. Do not stop inside the tunnel. Drive past the tunnel kiosk on either side before trying to turn around.

Alternate Routes for Oversized RVs

If your RV is too large to drive through the tunnel, you’ll need to take other routes to your destination.

• To Bryce Canyon: You can take I-15 to State Route 20 towards Panguitch. This drive will add 63 miles and about that many minutes to your drive time.
• To Grand Canyon North Rim: Take State Route 59 to Highways 89A and 67 in Arizona. This will add 23 miles to your trip.

Best Places to Stay in Your RV

There are lots of options for camping in southern Utah. If you want to camp inside the park, you’ll want to make reservations well in advance. Campgrounds are very popular and fill up quickly. There are also RV parks outside Zion, both in nearby small towns and in larger cities like St. George. Finally, there are some dispersed camping options as well.

• Inside Zion National Park: South Campground is a popular spot, but is closed for long-term rehabilitation work. Watchman Campground is open year-round, and you can make reservations up to six months ahead of your visit. The campground is near the South Entrance, and there are tent and electric campsites available. Each site has a place for a tent or RV, a picnic table, and access to a fire ring.
• Near the Park: There are some small towns near the park with great campgrounds as well. The Zion River Resort RV Park in Virgin has a heated pool and spa, a playground, and a mining sluice. Each site has full hook-ups, a fire ring, a picnic table, and free Wi-Fi. Zion Utah Jellystone Park is in Hurricane and has a heated pool and a water park. There are wagon rides, sports courts, a playground, and lots of entertainment for kids. Campsites have full hookups, a picnic table, a fire ring, and free Wi-Fi. You can find more campgrounds in Virgin, Hurricane, and Springdale. The larger town of St. George also has plenty of campgrounds.
• Dispersed Camping and Boondocking: There are dispersed camping and boondocking options near Zion National Park as well. The Red Cliffs Recreation Area begins about half an hour from the park and has 11 official campsites, although the area does not allow dispersed camping. Sand Cove is a free primitive camping area just 20 miles from St. George. Dispersed camping is also allowed in some of the Upland Zone, although it’s hard to get a vehicle in there. State Trust Lands along the Arizona border also have lots of dispersed camping.

Scenic Stops and Attractions Along Route 9

There are lots of scenic stops and attractions to see while you’re driving Route 9 through southern Utah. Some of them are inside the national park … but there are also attractions outside the park to see.

• Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel – The Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel was finished in 1930 and at 1.1 miles, was the longest of its type in the United States at the time. Six large windows are cut into the sandstone cliffs so you can admire the scenery of Zion as you travel. The tunnel cost nearly $2 million to build – about $26 million in today’s money.
• Canyon Overlook Trail – The Canyon Overlook Trail is just east of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. The trail is an easy one-mile hike with a small amount of elevation gain. You’ll get views of Pine Creek slot canyon, fern-covered shady alcoves, and slickrock terrain. There is some exposure, but there are railings along the trail. The trail ends with a spectacular view over Zion Canyon. Also, keep an eye out for bighorn sheep!
• Checkerboard Mesa – Checkerboard Mesa is about a mile from the west end of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. At the mesa, you’ll see a Navajo Sandstone summit jutting more than 6,520 feet into the air. You’ll also see cross-hatching on the sandstone, which looks like a checkerboard.
• Springdale – Springdale is a small town at the southwestern entrance to Zion. You’ll find art galleries, boutiques and other shops, restaurants, and rock and gem shops.
• Grafton Ghost Town – Grafton is about a mile south of Route 9 in Rockville. You will have to drive a 3.2-mile dirt track to get to the town. When you’re there, you’ll see several restored buildings, including a schoolhouse. There’s also a cemetery with graves that date back to the 1860s. The best time to visit Grafton is in the spring or fall – summers can get hot.

Tips for Driving Route 9 in an RV

Driving Route 9 in an RV is a great way to see the area, but you’ll want to be prepared. Here’s what to know about when and how to drive through the park.

• The best time to visit Zion National Park in an RV is in the spring or fall. There are more crowds during summer, and temperatures in the park can get above 100°F. During the winter, there are fewer crowds, but roads can be icy or snowy.
• When driving steep grades, use lower gears when your descending to reduce the strain on your brakes. Try to avoid riding your brakes continuously. On steep sections, use turnouts to let faster vehicles pass you.
• Fuel up before you enter Zion National Park. There are no gas stations inside the park. However, the nearby town of Springdale has gas stations.
• Weather considerations: Weather can be a big factor along Route 9 at various times of year. Summers can bring extreme heat, and it’s a good idea to avoid mid-day travel if you can. July and August are also monsoon season, and you’ll want to be on alert for flash floods and thunderstorms. In winter, roads may be icy, especially at higher elevations. You’ll want to bring chains if you’re driving through in winter. The best idea is to check weather forecasts and road information before you begin your drive along Route 9.

Exploring Zion National Park in an RV

Exploring Zion National Park in an RV takes some planning. But it’s well-worth the effort!

Parking and Shuttles

Parking in Zion, especially during the more popular months, can be a challenge. Lots fill up quickly – usually by 9 am. There is an Oversize Vehicle Lot near the visitor center where RVs can park, and you can take the shuttle to get to popular areas in the park. There is also RV parking available in Springdale, so you can park your RV in town and take the shuttle into the park from there. You can find shuttle schedules and other information on the Zion National Park website.

RVs – or any other vehicles – are not allowed on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive when the free shuttles are operating – usually from March through November.

Exploring the Park

The best ways to explore Zion during most of the year are by shuttle, by biking, or by hiking. Taking the shuttle to popular trailheads means you won’t have to worry about missing out on a hike because you couldn’t find parking.

The National Park Service does warn that although people imagine quiet hikes in solitude, the reality of Zion’s popularity means you’re probably going to be sharing the trails with a lot of other nature lovers. Be prepared to see lots of people while you’re out hiking, and to possibly having to wait for a shuttle or two if there are lots of crowds.

For hikes, try one of these to experience the park:

Alternative Scenic Drives for RV Travelers

Besides driving Zion National Park and it’s most famous road, try these alternative scenic drives, or add some more drives onto your trip:

• Kolob Canyons Road: Kolob Canyons is part of Zion National Park, but is about an hour from Zion Canyon. The 5-mile Kolob Canyons Road drive showcases red rock canyons, and the road takes you to various trails and viewpoints along the way. The road may be closed in winter because of snow or ice.
• Kolob Terrace Road: Kolob Terrace Road begins in Virgin, Utah and takes drivers to Kolob Reservoir 25 miles away. The drive can be done in under an hour. The road has plenty of high-altitude scenery, with several overlooks to admire the views. Some overlooks also serve as trailheads for hikes around the park. Save time to swim, fish, and boat in the reservoir at the end of your drive.
• Scenic Byway 12 to Bryce Canyon & Grand Staircase-Escalante: This drive makes a great add-on for a longer trip, allowing you to explore more of Utah’s parks and landmarks. The drive takes three hours straight through, but you could allow days. You’ll pass Kodachrome Basin, Escalante Petrified Forest, Anasazi State Park Museum, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef National Park. There are also numerous other places to hike, take scenic backways, and enjoy other outdoor activities.

Route 9 is a beautiful, scenic drive through southern Utah. You’ll enjoy driving Zion National Park, but you’ll see much more on this trip as well. You’ll want to plan ahead, especially for making camping reservations, but your plans will pay off with a spectacular trip!

If you don’t have your own RV for this trip, RVshare can help! You’ll find a variety of sizes and styles of RV, so one is sure to be perfect for your Zion adventure.

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