Zion Tunnel report

[Terry A. Brewer]

Betty & I took a car trip from Bryce Canyon To Zion today & learned that the tunnel is open year round to RV's for an additional $15 fee in addition to the normal park fee. Your coach can be no longer than 40', although I didn't see then measuring anyone, or 50' total with toad...so most people over 32'-36' will have to disconnect the toad & drive it in separately. If you do drive through I would suggest going West to east so that you do the SEVERE SWITCHBACKS going up hill.

The Park is viewed by shuttle busses with 8 stops & is mostly a hikers park with several severe trails 5-6 hrs long with very steep ascents. While you can see a lot from the shuttle buses it is best viewed from the many trails.

This is a very crowded park...today a Wed. the middle of May the parking lots were filled by noon. I could not ever imagine coming here during the summer season with the huge crowds & temps in the 90-100's. April & May seem like the best time to visit.

Terry
At Bryce Canyon, UT  Leaving for Salt Lake City tomorrow

 

[Ned]

I'm glad we saw Zion before it got so crowded.  It was bad enough when we were there, but it sounds a lot worse now.  The tram system was under construction when we were there and parking was a real problem due to the tram stop construction.  They really needed the shuttles as there just wasn't room for so many cars.

There were a lot of stops that were only a short hike from the road.  I even did a couple of them

 

[Betty Brewer]

There were a lot of stops that were only a short hike from the road.? I even did a couple of them

Hey Ned,
We were on a tight time schedule and did not do any of the walks.?Some of them were marked easy and we coud do those given more time.? I will avoid the rock climbing.? We??have this place marked as a "come back another time and stay longer place."? Maybe we can do a? post Moab rally and stay in Kanab 13 miles away.? It's a neat little town and I found a list? of 102 things to do in Kanab. We ate in Houstons Trails End Cafe.? Terry had the best Chicken fried steak he's ever eaten. And he topped it off with banana cream pie.? Yummmm.? ? My? chinese chicken salad was big enough for 2 meals and very tasty too. Just what the forum needs, good meals.

Betty Brewer
Final Night in Bryce on? way to SLC

 

[Ken & Sheila]

Terry,

Those switchbacks are too bad until some idiot calls you on the cell phone. Sheila had to explain to my former boss that no I couldn't talk just NOW.  BG. We went thru the tunel well over fifity feet including toad, but nobody raised the issue (btw, it was $10 when we went through (1998 or 99).

Zion haas great "vertical" hiking. A couple of trips from the bottom of the canyons to the rim make great exercise. I followed Sheila all the way up. BG

ken

 

[Ned]

Betty,

It takes several trips to reallyl see Zion.  We were in St. George for a month and spent a lot of time in the park and the surrounding area.  Lots to see in that part of Utah too.

 

[blueblood]

Betty & I took a car trip from Bryce Canyon To Zion today & learned that the tunnel is open year round to RV's for an additional $15 fee in addition to the normal park fee. Your coach can be no longer than 40', although I didn't see then measuring anyone, or 50' total with toad...so most people over 32'-36' will have to disconnect the toad & drive it in separately. If you do drive through I would suggest going West to east so that you do the SEVERE SWITCHBACKS going up hill.

The Park is viewed by shuttle busses with 8 stops & is mostly a hikers park with several severe trails 5-6 hrs long with very steep ascents. While you can see a lot from the shuttle buses it is best viewed from the many trails.

This is a very crowded park...today a Wed. the middle of May the parking lots were filled by noon. I could not ever imagine coming here during the summer season with the huge crowds & temps in the 90-100's. April & May seem like the best time to visit.

Terry
At Bryce Canyon, UT  Leaving for Salt Lake City tomorrow

The 7'10" width shown on sign board eliminates most class A motorhomes from going thru the tunnel.

 

[Ned]

Anything over 7'10" is a large vehicle and requires an escort.  They make the tunnel one way for large vehicles, thus the extra fee.

 

[Terry A. Brewer]

>>The 7'10" width shown on sign board eliminates most class A motorhomes from going thru the tunnel<<

That refers that anyone over that width must pay the extra charge.

Terry
On the way to SLC, UT

 

[Terry A. Brewer]

Ken

>>We went thru the tunel well over fifity feet including toad, but nobody raised the issue (btw, it was $10 when we went through (1998 or 99). <<


In the early 70's I drove my car to all the sites as they didn't have tour busses....Things change & I justed wanted folks to know the regs as single people like Russ with large rigs could not make the trip through the park with their toads & would have a lengthly detour.

Terry
On the way to SLC, UT

 

[BernieD]

We did the tunnel two years ago. The coach is 40.5' and with toad about 58', no problems with the personnel on size. I don't remember any escort coming thru, just Ranger communications stopping oncoming traffic to permit the oversize vehicles to drive down the center of the tunnel. Worked very well.

We came from the east heading west. I was happy to have my engine braking working well in HI mode  ;D but didn't consider the downhill run to be a major issue since we kept the speed down quite a bit. As long as the RV has good brakes and good toad brakes I wouldn't pass on east to west.

 

[Wendy]

"...102 things to do in Kanab..."

Hey, Betty.....I'd love to see this list. We visit Kanab a couple of times a year (it's on the way to Vegas) but I can't imagine 102 things to do there!

Wendy
roasting in Cortez

 

[Betty Brewer]

"...102 things to do in Kanab..."

Hi Wendy,
I just looked at the sheet given to me in Kanab by the? Visitor Information place.? It is actually titled "102 things to do in Kane county."? It includes swimming, biking, bouldering, museums, movie sets, walking tours,? hikes,? shopping for souvenirs, photography sessions, playing in sand at Pink Coral.. You get the idea .? The area is all new to us and it looks like? a possibillity to come back and explore more.

Betty
In Salt Lake City at 85 degrees and lovely