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Park news · Zion

Zion: Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway fully reopens, US-89 detour lifted

The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway reopens in full October 9 at 9 a.m., per KSL. The US-89 detour is no longer needed, though some sections stay temporary gravel.

By Jocelyn Pion, · Updated

Developing story · 3 updates since the first story Jump to where it started

Timeline

  1. Latest update

    Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway: full reopening October 9 at 9 a.m.

    According to KSL, the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway reopens in full on October 9 at 9 a.m., with the 2.5-mile stretch between Great Arch Pullout and Canyon Junction back in service. The 7.5-mile stretch on the east entrance side, in Kane County, had already reopened on Tuesday, October 6. That means the detour on US-89 is no longer necessary. KSL also reports that the damaged asphalt has been replaced with gravel, and a permanent repaving is expected soon. Drive with care, since the temporary gravel sections carry both pedestrians and vehicles.

    Official source : Zion highway section could remain closed for 'several weeks' as rockfall cleanup continues

  2. Closure Between Canyon Junction and Great Arch Pullout

    There's no through traffic from one side of the park to the other on this road until further notice. The stretch connecting Canyon Junction to Great Arch Pullout is closed to vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians alike. You can still drive in from the East Entrance as far as Great Arch Pullout. If you come in from the east, you'll reach that point and go no farther toward the canyon. The road stays open between the East Entrance and Great Arch Pullout, the only drivable segment of the route for now.

    Official source : Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway closed from Canyon Junction to Great Arch Pullout

  3. Zion: No Reopening Date for the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway

    There's still no reopening date for the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. UDOT points to the size and scale of the rockfall to explain why it won't offer an estimate, according to KUTV (October 2, 2026). The closed stretch runs from Canyon Junction to the east entrance along SR-9, according to KUTV and St. George News. The closure has been in effect since September 30, 2026, according to St. George News. So there's no quick way to cross the park east to west on SR-9. Plan to enter and exit on the west side and count on the shuttles to reach the heart of the canyon.

    Official source : Slide closes Zion-Mount Carmel Highway until further notice ; Traffic advisory: Portion of Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway closed due to apparent rockslide

  4. Where it started

    Zion: The Scenic Route to the East Entrance Is Closed Until Further Notice

    The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is partially closed between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance. Here's what that means for your visit.

    If you're planning a trip to Zion, there's one thing worth your attention before you lock in your itinerary. The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is currently closed to through traffic, and there's no reopening date announced for now.

    In practical terms, the stretch linking Canyon Junction to the park's East Entrance no longer lets vehicles pass all the way through. So you can no longer cross the park from west to east on this road, the one that usually leads to the famous tunnel and the east plateau. If your travel plan called for exiting on the east side to continue on to Bryce Canyon or the Mt. Carmel area, you'll want to rework the logistics now.

    Two-lane road blocked by barriers before a tunnel, amid Zion’s red cliffs and yellow autumn trees

    Here's some good news in all of this. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is still open. Access is limited to park shuttles and lodge guests, as it is for much of the year. The heart of the canyon, the part most travelers come to see, is still reachable. The classic stops at the bottom of the valley keep their usual shuttle service.

    Here's our advice if you're arriving soon. Plan your entry and exit on the same side, the west, and don't count on crossing all the way to the East Entrance. Build in some extra time too, since funneling every visitor through a single gate can stretch the lines at peak hours. Keep an eye on road conditions right before you head out, since things can change without notice.

    To build the rest of your trip around this constraint, where to base yourself, which trails you can reach from the shuttle, the best times to enter, it's all laid out in the Zion park guide. And if you're traveling by van or RV and want to link up several Western parks despite this kind of hiccup, take a look at our road trip itinerary that runs through this park.