Updated October 12, 2026: the highway has reopened. The original closure details are kept below for reference.
Is the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway Open? Quick Answer
Yes. SR-9 reopened between Canyon Junction and Zion National Park's East Entrance on Friday, October 9, 2026, and the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel is open with it. The road was closed for nine days after a large rockfall on Wednesday afternoon, September 30, on the switchbacks just past the Canyon Junction bridge. Zion National Park reopened the 7.5-mile stretch from the East Entrance to the Great Arch Overlook on Tuesday, October 6, and the remaining 2.5 miles down to Canyon Junction on October 9.
Drive it slowly. Crews removed the damaged asphalt and put down gravel as a temporary surface, and the park says it will repave the section at a date still to be set. Expect a rough, slow stretch on the switchbacks, flaggers or cones near the work zone, and workers and pedestrians in the road. You can once again drive from Springdale through the park to Mount Carmel Junction, Kanab and Bryce Canyon.
| Area | Status (Oct 12, 2026) |
|---|---|
| SR-9, Canyon Junction to East Entrance (incl. tunnel) | Open since Oct 9; temporary gravel section, repaving date not set |
| Zion Canyon Scenic Drive | Open to park shuttles and Zion Lodge guests |
| South Entrance, visitor center, Springdale | Open |
| East Entrance, Checkerboard Mesa (from Mount Carmel Jct.) | Open from both directions |
| Kolob Canyons (I-15 exit 40) and Kolob Terrace Road | Not affected by the SR-9 slide. Separately, as of October 11 the park lists Kolob Canyons Road closed beyond South Fork Trailhead due to rockfall, and Taylor Creek Trail closed due to flooding |
What Happened, and How the Reopening Went
The rockfall hit a viewpoint on the switchbacks above Canyon Junction on September 30, 2026. No injuries were reported. An eyewitness told St. George News that no cars were under the rocks. The photo above, released by UDOT, shows crews in safety vests at the base of the slide.
On Friday, October 2, the Utah Department of Transportation said the road "is taking longer to clear because of the size and scale of the slide," and gave no reopening estimate. A week after the slide, crews had hauled away roughly half the debris. The park then reopened the road in two steps: the upper 7.5 miles from the East Entrance to the Great Arch Overlook on October 6, for scenic driving and day use, and the last 2.5 miles from the Great Arch pullout to Canyon Junction at 9 a.m. on October 9. The South Entrance, the shuttle and Zion Canyon Scenic Drive ran normally the whole time.
It's the second disruption on this stretch in two weeks. In late September the National Park Service closed the tunnel overnight (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) on September 21-25 and 28-30 for UDOT fiber-optic work.
Vehicle Size Limits on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway
Size limits apply to the whole highway between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance, not just the tunnel. According to the National Park Service, a single vehicle may be no more than 35 feet 9 inches long, 7 feet 10 inches wide, 11 feet 4 inches high and 50,000 pounds; a vehicle with a trailer may be no more than 50 feet in total, with the trailer no more than 26 feet from hitch to rear axle. Measurements include mirrors and racks. Oversize vehicles must use another route, such as the detours below.
Detours: St. George to Kanab, Bryce Canyon and the East Side
You no longer need these, but rockfall, snow and tunnel work close this road a few times a year, so keep them handy. For the September tunnel closures, the National Park Service published three detours. Depending on where you start, each adds about 10 to 45 minutes:
- US 89 / AZ 389 / UT 59: this is usually the shortest route from St. George or Hurricane to Kanab. Take UT-59 from Hurricane through Hildale, then AZ-389 through Fredonia, and US-89A north into Kanab.
- Utah 14: take I-15 north to Cedar City, then UT-14 over Cedar Mountain to US-89 at Long Valley Junction. Snow can affect UT-14 later in the fall.
- Utah 20: take I-15 north past Parowan, then UT-20 east to US-89. This is the longest route, but it's handy if you're heading to Bryce Canyon or Panguitch.
Before you leave, check UDOT Traffic (udottraffic.utah.gov) or call 511, and look at the alerts on the Zion National Park website.
Zion Shuttle Schedule for the Rest of 2026
Private cars aren't allowed on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive while the shuttle is running. These dates come from the park's 2026 shuttle schedule:
| Dates | First shuttle | Last shuttle from visitor center |
|---|---|---|
| Through Oct 24 | 7:00 a.m. | 6:00 p.m. |
| Oct 25 - Nov 28 | 7:00 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. (last from Temple of Sinawava 6:15 p.m.) |
| Nov 29 - Dec 25 | No shuttle service | - |
| Dec 26 - Jan 2 | 8:00 a.m. | 4:30 p.m. |
Planning a hike? Our St. George to Zion guide covers the drive and parking, and the Narrows hiking guide covers the canyon's most popular day hike. The Zion National Park page has more.
Red Bull Rampage Week Traffic
The closure landed the same week as Red Bull Rampage on Kolob Terrace Road near Virgin (October 8-10). The Kolob Terrace venue isn't affected, but expect more traffic than usual on SR-9 between Hurricane and Springdale. Leave early if you're heading to the park that week. Kolob Canyons off I-15 is usually a quieter alternative, but as of October 11 its road is closed beyond South Fork Trailhead due to rockfall, so check the park’s current conditions first. For other color drives, see our fall colors guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Zion tunnel open right now?
Yes. SR-9 between Canyon Junction and Zion's East Entrance, including the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, reopened on October 9, 2026, after a nine-day closure for the September 30 rockfall. A temporary gravel section remains on the switchbacks until the park repaves it, so drive slowly through the work zone.
Is Zion National Park open after the rockfall?
Yes. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, the visitor center, campgrounds and the park shuttle ran normally throughout the closure, and the highway east of Canyon Junction reopened on October 9, 2026. The whole park is reachable again from Springdale and from the East Entrance.
How do I get from St. George to Kanab or Bryce Canyon if SR-9 closes again?
During the September tunnel closures, the National Park Service listed three detours: Utah 20, Utah 14, or US 89/AZ 389/UT 59. Depending on where you start, they add about 10 to 45 minutes. From St. George, the shortest is usually UT-59 through Hildale to AZ-389 and US-89A into Kanab.
When does the Zion shuttle schedule change this fall?
Fall shuttle service runs through October 24, 2026, with the last shuttle leaving the visitor center at 6 p.m. From October 25 to November 28, the first shuttle is at 7 a.m., the last bus leaves the visitor center at 5 p.m. and the last one leaves the Temple of Sinawava at 6:15 p.m. There is no shuttle from November 29 to December 25.
Sources: St. George News (Oct. 2, 2026), KSL (Oct. 1, 2026), National Park Service tunnel closure notice, NPS 2026 shuttle schedule. Reopening details come from the National Park Service’s October 9 release, with earlier reporting by KUTV and FOX 13. Check the park's current conditions page before you go.
