Zion National Park - Tunnel

DT6 · 10-10-2020, 07:16 PM

Hi,
We have the Escape 19 and wondering if we need to avoid/be careful of the "tunnel" at Zion National Park? From what I saw on the NP website, it looks like an Escape will fit without having to wait for the "one way" which you pay for.

We did get lucky and snagged a camp spot for a few nights in Watchman Campground at Zion.

Thanks!

Raider47 · 10-10-2020, 07:27 PM

I think it would fit but I would drive carefully. I attached a photo of the entrance with a minivan. Also, a few months ago, they were sending all traffic as one way and there wasn't a fee but I don't know if that's normal.

Doug2000 · 10-10-2020, 07:59 PM

Im pretty sure you’ll fit. I think they only stop the Class A motorhomes.

TahoeJoe · 10-10-2020, 08:07 PM

I go to Zion a lot and was just there not too long ago, and yes you'll be fine, the 19 is well below the official limits. They may stop you to measure, but probably not at this time of year, the enforcement is much more active/strict during the busy months...

Brian B-P · 10-10-2020, 08:19 PM

According to the National Parks Service web page about the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel (this is the tunnel, right?):

Quote:

Rangers posted at both ends of the tunnel convert two-way tunnel traffic to one-way for larger vehicles, ensuring safe passage.
This service, for which a $15 dollar tunnel permit fee is charged, was provided for over 32,832 oversized oversized vehicles in calendar year 2019.

Quote:

If your vehicle is 11'4" (3.4m) tall or taller or 7'10" (2.4m) wide or wider, including mirrors, awnings, and jacks, you will need a tunnel escort.

An Escape 19' is only 9'3" (2.8 m) tall (with air conditioning and axle lift) and only 7' (2.13 m) wide; no Escape is as wide or as tall as the limits for this tunnel.

Most Class A motorhomes would be both wide enough and tall enough to qualify, but many Class C motorhomes and trailers would as well (especially in width). Some motorhomes are tall enough to hit the height prohibition (13'1"), so they would not be allowed at all.

It is tight through there. They may allow you to buy a permit and take the one-way option even with a vehicle which is not large enough to require that, for your peace of mind... it might be worth asking for those who are particularly concerned.

Rossue · 10-10-2020, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TahoeJoe

I go to Zion a lot and was just there not too long ago, and yes you'll be fine, the 19 is well below the official limits. They may stop you to measure, but probably not at this time of year, the enforcement is much more active/strict during the busy months...

Busy months? Just left and it is a zoo. Thought October was the new September. Wrong.

Need to go online for tram tickets or you'll either walk or be on a bike with a bunch of others.

**Donna D.** · 10-10-2020, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossue

Busy months? Just left and it is a zoo. Thought October was the new September. Wrong.

Need to go online for tram tickets or you'll either walk or be on a bike with a bunch of others.

It's 2020, what did you expect?

Kids are being home schooled, adults can 'work from home,' weekends are meaningless and so is 'vacation time.' Families can travel when they want, as long as they're connected. Don't know if we'll ever get back to... best time to travel is after Labor Day when all the kids are back in school.

canyonrider · 10-10-2020, 09:00 PM

We took our 19 through in 2017 and had no issues. They did measure at the booth, though.

And yes, “busy season” in Zion and most of the parks in southern Utah is pretty much March through November these days.

KirkB · 10-10-2020, 09:17 PM

I have been through the Zion tunnel in my 19, back in 2017. I use Milenco mirrors, and remember folding them in (it might have just been the driver side), but went through with regular two way traffic.

The only issue was not being able to use my mirrors to check how the trailer is tracking in the lane. I just stayed directly behind the car ahead, and had no problems.

Rossue · 10-10-2020, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna D.

It's 2020, what did you expect?

Over the last four weeks we were in Idaho, WY, CO, and Utah. Everywhere was more people than you would expect, yet Moab area and Zion were nuts. Probably won't go back. And here's something on the topic:

https://www.rvtravel.com/crowding969/

Raider47 · 10-10-2020, 09:35 PM

A few months ago, Zion was only allowing guests with bus tickets which you could only buy the day prior and they sold out within minutes. I basically lost my first day because I didn't know about it until I arrived. Maybe the other members who have been more recently can chime in if the restrictions are still in effect.

Forgot to mention, guests could ride a bicycle or pay a local tour service instead of riding the bus.

Rossue · 10-10-2020, 10:04 PM

Yep, same now.

camperwa · 10-10-2020, 10:14 PM

We drove our 21 through the tunnel 1 week ago....on a saturday morning. It was a zoo, backups at the tunnel and folks crossing / riding bikes back and forth in front of vehicles. We were cleared to go thru the tunnel at the park entrance but when we got to the tunnel....they wanted to measure. We passed but they were hesitant to let us go thru...ultimately we did go thru, pulled our mirrors in and went slow - it is tight but we made it. In retrospect, I would have paid the 15 and had them hold up traffic. They routinely hold up traffic for big Class A's and C's. Just our two cents from Zion.

Mike G · 10-10-2020, 11:16 PM

The tunnel roof is rounded, not squared off, so a person wouldn't want to wander too close to the wall. And it's so durn dark in there.... feels spooky.... I didn't care for it. Towed a Burro through there about a decade ago. I feel no qualms about driving the million dollar highway, but I'll avoid that tunnel in the future if I can.

TahoeJoe · 10-11-2020, 12:12 AM

Oh right, the covid RV boom, yikes! I haven't ventured far from home since late August...I guess I assumed there would be the usual post-Labor Day lull, but I guess not! Here's the $64,000 question: is this boom going to fade away? Or is the new normal?

AmyT · 10-11-2020, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossue

Over the last four weeks we were in Idaho, WY, CO, and Utah. Everywhere was more people than you would expect, yet Moab area and Zion were nuts. Probably won't go back. And here's something on the topic:

https://www.rvtravel.com/crowding969/

I found this article to be very interesting. RV Manufacturers have no interest in building RV parks and campsites (that's not their business model.) Wonder if any venture capitalists have considered the "Marriott-style" campgrounds.

gbaglo · 10-11-2020, 01:13 AM

My back yard looks more and more appealing. I have no interest in being packed in with huge motor homes in a full service RV resort. I'm hoping that's where all these new camping enthusiasts will go.

UncleTim · 10-11-2020, 06:14 AM

I took my 5.0 thru the tunnel last week. Had to pay the $15 charge to clear the tunnel so I could drive down the middle. It was not even close. All big rigs pay this fee.

And I saw a regular gihugic 5th wheel coming thru the tunnel too! No problem. Drive in the middle. The sides are 10'-6" I think? The middle is much higher.

I even have a cellular antenna that sticks up higher than the regular antenna and it still was not close.

Have fun. Watch out, that park is brutally crowded right now. Buy your tickets for the inner gorge for the days you want, BEFORE you leave home. Recreation.gov. You cannot purchase them in the park. For me, I'm driving up to Glenn's backyard. It looks cooler there. It was 106° in Zion.

rubicon327 · 10-11-2020, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TahoeJoe

Oh right, the covid RV boom, yikes! I haven't ventured far from home since late August...I guess I assumed there would be the usual post-Labor Day lull, but I guess not! Here's the $64,000 question: is this boom going to fade away? Or is the new normal?

Wondering this myself. RV’s in high demand, Escape orders out well through 2021, at least two new travel trailers in my neighborhood alone during Covid. I had recently had to book a year out to camp a couple of days at Assateauge Island in Maryland with the wild horses. If this boom doesn’t bust where is everyone going to camp? Especially in the east we don’t have the BLM land to retreat to.

UncleTim · 10-11-2020, 08:05 AM

I am hoping that once everyone can go back to what they were doing before Covid, then things will lighten up a bit. I believe a bunch of people will find they really don't like RVs as much as they thought they would.

What will the used RV market be like in two years (providing Covid goes away).

I saw camping insanity all around me this year, however I was able to mostly miss it. I do have a strategy for next year if things go like this year. I am hoping things go back to normal!

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