Zion: Scenic Drive Closed to Walkers and Cyclists After a Flash Flood

If you're planning a trip to Zion, here's a practical note to work into your plans right away. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, the road that runs up the floor of the canyon, is currently closed to pedestrians and cyclists. A recent flash flood damaged the road and its shoulders, and the park has suspended that access while cleanup crews do their work.

In practical terms, walking along this road and biking through the canyon aren't options right now. The restriction targets those two activities. It doesn't close the canyon itself; it closes the way you'd travel through it on foot or on two wheels. Until the work wraps up, don't count on making your own way up the valley.

The good news is that the most common way in is still open. The free shuttle system keeps running through the canyon and drops visitors at the main stops. For a lot of you, this doesn't really change much, since the shuttle is already the only way into this stretch of the park for much of the year. Just plan on leaning on it rather than showing up on foot or by bike.

A few vehicles can still use the road, namely those belonging to visitors with a valid reservation at Zion Lodge, the lodge inside the canyon. If that's you, your car access stays in place. For everyone else, the rule of the day comes down to one line. Leave the car or the bike behind and hop on the shuttle.

We'd suggest checking the road status right before you head out, since this kind of closure shifts as the cleanup moves along. To pin down the rest of your visit and get a feel for how the park works day to day, lean on the Zion park guide. And if Zion is part of a bigger loop through the West, take a look at our road trip itinerary that runs through the park.