Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [456]
The eastern approach to the park is less direct but far more beautiful. From the south or the north, take U.S. 89 to Utah 9 at Mount Carmel, then go west on Utah 9, a spectacularly scenic 24-mile drive. However, be aware that this route into the park drops more than 2,500 feet in elevation, passes through the mile-long Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel, and winds down six steep switchbacks. Oversized vehicles pay $15 to use
the tunnel (see "Special Regulations & Warnings," below).
The Kolob Canyons section, in the park's northwest corner, is accessible on the short Kolob Canyons Road off I-15, Exit 40.
INFORMATION
Contact Zion National Park, Utah 9, Springdale, UT 84767-1099 (☎ 435/ 772-3256; www.nps.gov/zion). The nonprofit Zion Natural History Association, Zion National Park, Springdale, UT 84767 (☎ 800/635-3959 or 435/772-3264; www.zionpark.org), sells books, maps, and videos related to the park. Some publications are available in foreign languages, and videos are available in DVD, VHS, or PAL formats. Those wanting to help the nonprofit association can join ($35 single or $50 family annually) and get a 20% discount on purchases, a 20% discount on most Zion Canyon Field Institute classes, and discounts at most other nonprofit bookstores at national parks, monuments, historic sites, and recreation areas. Those planning to spend a lot of time on the trails and in the backcountry should purchase the association's Zion Topographic Map. The association also publishes a handy pocket-size Zion Canyon Shuttle Guide. The free Zion Map & Guide, a small newspaper-format guide, is packed with extremely helpful information.
VISITOR CENTERS
The park has two visitor centers. The Zion Canyon Visitor Center (☎ 435/ 772-3256), near the south entrance to the park, has a wide variety of outdoor exhibits. Rangers answer questions and provide backcountry permits; free brochures are available; and books, maps, videos, postcards, and posters are for sale. The Kolob Canyons Visitor Center (☎ 435/586-9548), in the northwest corner of the park, right off I-15, provides information, permits, books, and maps. Both visitor centers are open daily from 8am to 5pm in summer, with shorter hours the rest of the year.
The Zion Human History Museum, about 1 mile inside the south entrance, offers exhibits, park information and an orientation program, plus a bookstore.
FEES & PERMITS
Entry to the park (for up to 7 days), which includes unlimited use of the shuttle bus, costs $20 per private vehicle or $10 per individual on motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot (maximum charge of $20 per family). National Park, Golden Eagle, Golden Access, and Golden Age passes are honored. Oversized vehicles are charged $15 for use of the Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel on the east side of the park (see "Special Regulations & Warnings," below).
Backcountry permits, available at either visitor center, are required for all overnight hikes in the park and for slot canyon hikes. Permits cost $10 for 1 or 2 people, $15 for 3 to 6, and $20 for 7 to 12. Camping costs $16 per night for basic campsites and $18 to $20 per night for sites with electric hookups (located in Watchman Campground).
SPECIAL REGULATIONS & WARNINGS
The mile-long Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel was not built for big vehicles. The tunnel is too narrow for two-way traffic involving anything larger than passenger cars and pickup trucks. Therefore, any vehicle more than 7 feet, 10 inches wide (including mirrors) or 11 feet, 4 inches tall (including luggage racks) can pass only by driving down the center of the tunnel after all other traffic has been stopped. Large vehicles can accomplish this feat only from 8am to 8pm daily from March to October; during other months, arrangements must be made at park entrances or by calling park headquarters. The charge