How long is the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway road trip?

Zion Canyon → east entrance, UT (UT-9) — about ~12 miles, comfortably done in half day.

What are the best stops on the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway?

Signature stops include Pine Creek switchbacks, Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel, Canyon Overlook Trail, Checkerboard Mesa — and Roamward maps the hidden gems near the route in each state.

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Scenic route

Zion–Mount Carmel Highway

An engineering marvel from 1930 climbs out of Zion Canyon on tight switchbacks and burrows through a 1.1-mile tunnel, emerging into the slickrock wonderland of the park’s east side.

Zion Canyon → east entrance, UT (UT-9) · ~12 miles · half day

Why drive it

Switchbacks and a mile-long tunnel out of Zion Canyon.

Window galleries in the tunnel tease the views; big vehicles need a timed escort. Stop for Checkerboard Mesa and the short, sublime Canyon Overlook Trail.

States on this route

The signature stops

What to pull over for.

01Pine Creek switchbacksthe dramatic climb out of the main canyonUT 02Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnela 1.1-mile tunnel with window cutoutsUT 03Canyon Overlook Traila short hike to a jaw-dropping canyon viewUT 04Checkerboard Mesacross-hatched sandstone on the east sideUT

Plan the drive

Build your Zion–Mt Carmel Hwy trip.

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Zion–Mount Carmel Highway

Switchbacks and a mile-long tunnel out of Zion Canyon.

What to pull over for.

Build your Zion–Mt Carmel Hwy trip.

Build a trip around a drive like this.

More to explore in Utah

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