It will be somewhat of a challenge to drive into the heart of Zion National Park from the east for most of April as a section of the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway will be closed for three weeks' of repairs beginning April 9.

The road was severely undercut on March 2 by storm waters, and while one lane of traffic has remained open, on April 9 the entire highway will be fully closed from the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel to Canyon Junction for repairs. A section of the existing road needs to be rebuilt, along with a retaining wall below it.

During construction, the East Side will be limited to vehicles smaller than 7’10’’ in width and 11’4’’ in height between the East Entrance and the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. All vehicles entering from the East Side will have to turn around before the tunnel.

All hiking trails and canyoneering routes on the East Side of the park located in southwestern Utah will remain open; however, those needing to get permits from the main canyon or stage vehicles there will need to drive around. Permits may also be obtained from the Kolob Canyons Visitor Contact Station off Interstate 15 on the western side of the park.

Alternate east and west driving routes are available via Highway 59 from Hurricane, Utah, to Fredonia, Arizona, and Highway 14 from Cedar City, Utah, to Long Valley Junction and Highway 89. People coming from Interstate 15 to the park may access Zion as usual by traveling east on State Route 9 through Springdale. All park facilities, including the visitor center, museum, campgrounds, and shuttle buses, are open and operating as normal in Zion Canyon. The Kolob Canyons facilities and Kolob Terrace are open as usual.

Visitors should continue to expect trail closures in the main canyon. The Kayenta Trail and Upper Emerald Pools Trail remain closed due to a landslide that has continued to settle since July 2018. The East Rim Trail, as well as total access to Hidden Canyon and access from the main canyon to Observation Point, remain closed due to a landslide and an unstable overhanging boulder since January. As those areas dry out, staff will be assessing each to determine next steps and timelines.

This water year (October 1, 2018- March 31, 2019), Zion Canyon has received 15.05 inches of precipitation. In comparison, during the same time period one year ago, the same area received 4.48 inches of precipitation.