Zion: Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway Closed After Rockfall, No Reopening Date

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1. October 2, 2026 at 9:34 p.m. MDTLatest update

   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

2. October 1, 2026 at 9:51 p.m. MDTWhere 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.

   

   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.