Road work in Zion National Park this summer will impact access to some hiking and canyoneering trails, according to Superintendent Jock Whitworth.
Monday through Friday, and possibly on some weekend days, roadwork along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway will close off access to all canyons and trails access from that road. All other areas of the park remain open and accessible.
Construction closures will begin next Monday, June 7, and run through most of October. Under the current plan, you won't be able to drive the highway Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. From 4 p.m. to 9 a.m. there will be access, but under traffic control. On weekends and holidays the road should be open round-the-clock, though there could be traffic control at times that could delay you.
Trails affected by the construction are the Canyon Overlook and East Rim. The Canyon Overlook will not be accessible at any time Monday through Friday. Parking is not available Monday through Friday at the East Rim trailhead. The East Rim trail is accessible from the Stave Spring Trailhead, Weeping Rock Trailhead, and the East Mesa Trailhead.
Canyons affected include Pine Creek, Spry and Keyhole. These canyons will not be accessible at any time Monday through Friday. All hikes and canyons will be available on weekends if no work is occurring. Visitors should check the park website ahead of time to make sure there is no construction affecting the area they wish to visit.
Zion National Park will remain open for the duration of the project. People traveling to Zion National Park on State Route 9 from Interstate 15 will be able to enjoy Zion Canyon’s recreational opportunities, access the park shuttle, campgrounds, and Zion Lodge, and frequent the businesses in Springdale without being in the construction area. Visitors traveling from the east on SR 9 can travel to Zion Canyon and Springdale before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The road will be open 24 hours on weekends and holidays.
Updates on the availability of permits for canyoneering routes will be available on the park website at www.nps.gov/zion or by calling the backcountry desk at 435-772-0170. Road information is also available on the website or by calling 435-772-3256 (press 1, then 4).
Comments
Just drove into Zion over Memorial holiday, beautiful and not too crowded at all. I do hope everyone who wants to see this incredible Canyon will still find a schedule to include a weekend at least. There is so much to see, personnel are very helpful and the scenery incredible. If you can only come during the weekdays, go north on 15 toward Cedar City for the lesser known Zion Canyon access. The northern entrance at Kolob Canyon is awesome and offers great trails, including the Virgin River Rim Trail with 32 miles to trek along.
Now that my move from NY to southwestern Utah is successfully concluded, with access to so many remarkable parks, my family takes every opportunity to sightsee and explore in this area. It was necessary to acquire a State Parks pass as well. It feels as though we won some sort of Parks access lottery, so much to see and do, only one lifetime.
Joined the SURC, rockhounds with wonderful enthusiasm and experience on field trips to amazing places. Of course you do not collect any material from the parks, but BLM sites and other things like old mines and roadside cliffs, creeks and canyons are accessible.