Big News for Zion National Park: Bye-Bye RVs!
If you've ever visited Zion National Park, you know the frustration of getting stuck behind a slow-moving RV on those scenic, winding roads. Well, rejoice! Starting summer 2026, Zion is banning RVs and other large vehicles from the historic Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway.
The National Park Service has finally had enough of RVs causing traffic jams, crashing into things, and generally making life difficult. To protect the park’s beautiful yet narrow roads and ensure driver safety, they’re saying "no thanks" to vehicles that are:
- Taller than 11 feet and 4 inches
- Wider than 7 feet and 10 inches
- Longer than 35 feet and 9 inches
- Heavier than 50,000 pounds
This move aims to reduce the likelihood of crashes and ease the strain on bridges and tunnels that weren't designed for today's massive motorhomes. If you're driving one of these behemoths, expect a 40-minute detour around the park.
Zion’s superintendent, Jeff Bradybaugh, said the changes reflect months of discussion to manage the highway and increase safety. The historic Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, with its tight turns, steep grades, and narrow lanes, simply isn’t equipped to handle modern RVs.
So, next time you visit Zion, you can enjoy the stunning red-and-white sandstone landscapes without getting stuck behind an oversized vehicle. And for all those RV owners—well, maybe it's time to downsize or enjoy the scenic route around the park. After all, who doesn't love a good detour through beautiful Utah?