Is the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway Open? Quick Answer
No. As of Sunday, October 4, 2026, SR-9 is closed between Canyon Junction and Zion National Park's East Entrance. A large rockfall came down on Wednesday afternoon, September 30, on the switchbacks just past the Canyon Junction bridge. The closed stretch includes the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. 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 officials have no estimated reopening time.
The main canyon is still open. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, the visitor center and the park shuttle are running, so a day trip from Springdale through the South Entrance works as usual. What you can't do right now is drive through the park to Mount Carmel Junction, Kanab, Bryce Canyon or the east side of Zion.
| Area | Status (Oct 4, 2026) |
|---|---|
| SR-9, Canyon Junction to East Entrance (incl. tunnel) | Closed, no reopening estimate |
| 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.) | Reachable from the east only |
| Kolob Canyons (I-15 exit 40) and Kolob Terrace Road | Not affected by this closure |
What Happened
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. Crews have been breaking up and hauling away the debris since then. The photo above, released by UDOT, shows crews in safety vests at the base of the slide.
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.
Detours: St. George to Kanab, Bryce Canyon and the East Side
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 | Per park schedule | 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
This closure lands 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. You can also skip the main canyon and visit Kolob Canyons off I-15. It has its own scenic drive and fall color; see our fall colors guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Zion tunnel open right now?
No. As of October 4, 2026, SR-9 is closed between Canyon Junction and Zion's East Entrance after a large rockfall on September 30, 2026. That closed section includes the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, and UDOT has not given a reopening estimate.
Is Zion National Park open after the rockfall?
Yes. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, the visitor center, campgrounds and the park shuttle are running. You can reach the main canyon from Springdale through the South Entrance. Only the highway east of Canyon Junction is closed.
How do I get from St. George to Kanab or Bryce Canyon while SR-9 is closed?
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. We'll update this page when UDOT announces a reopening.
