--- title: "Zion National Park’s New RV Restrictions Are Now in Effect on Popular East Entrance Route" url: "https://camperfaqs.com/zion-national-parks-new-rv-restrictions-are-now-in-effect-on-popular-east-entrance-route" author: "Tory Jon" published: "2026-06-06T10:49:34-05:00" modified: "2026-06-06T10:49:37-05:00" --- # Zion National Park’s New RV Restrictions Are Now in Effect on Popular East Entrance Route Large RVs and other oversized vehicles can no longer use one of Zion National Park’s most scenic and well-known driving routes. Starting June 7, 2026, Zion National Park is [restricting large vehicles](https://www.nps.gov/zion/learn/news/2026-01-05-large-vehicles.htm) from traveling the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway between Canyon Junction and the park’s East Entrance. That stretch includes the historic Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, a popular route for visitors entering or leaving the park from the east. The National Park Service says the change is meant to improve safety, reduce traffic delays, and protect historic features along the highway. ## Which RVs Are Restricted? The new rule applies to the entire Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway section between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance, not just the tunnel. A single vehicle is not allowed on that route if it exceeds any of the following limits: **Length**: 35 feet, 9 inches **Width**: 7 feet, 10 inches **Height**: 11 feet, 4 inches **Weight**: 50,000 pounds For combined vehicles, such as a truck and travel trailer, the total combined length limit is 50 feet. The trailer also cannot exceed 26 feet from the hitch to the rear axle. That means many motorhomes, fifth wheels, travel trailers, toy haulers, and larger truck-and-trailer combinations may no longer be able to use the east side route through Zion. ## Why Zion Made the Change The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is a narrow, winding road with switchbacks, bridges, and the 1.1-mile Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. For years, oversized vehicles traveling through the tunnel required traffic control so they could drive down the center of the tunnel. That process helped some larger vehicles pass through, but it also caused delays for other visitors. According to the National Park Service, traffic safety studies found that some vehicles over the new size limits cannot safely stay in their lane on parts of the highway. Vehicles that are too tall or too wide also cannot pass through the tunnel in a single lane of travel. Vehicles over 50,000 pounds exceed weight limits on four bridges along the route. Park officials have also said large vehicles sometimes reached the tunnel before realizing they could not continue. In some cases, those vehicles had to be backed down the switchbacks, creating safety concerns and traffic problems. ## RVers Can Still Visit Zion The restriction does not mean RVers are banned from Zion National Park. Oversized vehicles can still reach the park through the South Entrance, but access is more limited than simply driving through the east corridor. The National Park Service says large vehicles may be allowed past the South Entrance for certain uses, including parking in the large-vehicle lot if space is available, reaching Zion Lodge with a valid reservation, camping in Watchman Campground or South Campground when open, or driving Zion Canyon Scenic Drive during times of year when the shuttle is not operating. During much of the year, private vehicles are not allowed on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and visitors must use the park shuttle system. ## Park-and-Ride Option for RVers RVers also have another option before reaching the park. The Zion Corridor Park & Ride at Zion White Bison Resort in Virgin, Utah, offers oversized parking for RVs, motorhomes, and trailers. The site connects visitors with shuttle service toward Springdale and Zion National Park. The Utah Department of Transportation lists the fare at $5 per ride. UDOT says the ride to Springdale takes about 30 minutes with stops, while the drive by car is about 20 to 25 minutes. For RVers who do not want to deal with traffic, parking, or vehicle-size issues near the park entrance, the park-and-ride may be one of the easier options. ## What RVers Should Do Before Visiting Anyone planning to visit Zion with an RV should measure their vehicle before choosing a route. That includes total height, width, length, and combined length for tow vehicles and trailers. RVers should also account for rooftop air conditioners, antennas, racks, mirrors, and anything else that adds to the vehicle’s overall size. Travelers coming from the east should not assume they can still pass through the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. If the RV or RV combination exceeds the new limits, drivers will need to use another route. For many RVers, the safest plan will be to enter Zion from the south, use a campground or large-vehicle parking option, and rely on shuttle service once near the park. ## Bottom Line Zion National Park remains open to RV travelers, but the east entrance route through the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is no longer an option for many oversized rigs. Before heading to the park, check your RV’s full measurements, review [Zion’s current vehicle rules](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/large-vehicles.htm), and plan your route carefully. A few minutes of checking ahead of time could prevent a major detour, a traffic backup, or a dangerous situation on one of the park’s narrowest roads.