News Release Date: September 15, 2026
Contact: Zion News Desk

Springdale, Utah – Zion National Park is advising all visitors to prepare for temporary, nighttime closures of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway tunnel due to a Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) construction project. The project will install fiber optic cable throughout the region. UDOT has updated the construction timeline for the fiber optic project, including the nighttime tunnel closure dates.

UDOT planned closure dates and times:

  • 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Sept. 21 - 25 and 28 - 30

Closures will be between the east entrance of the tunnel and Canyon Junction. Visitors can access to Canyon Overlook Trail by parking at the nearby vault toilet and walking approximately ¼ mile to the trailhead.Please note that the dates are subject to change based on UDOT scheduling. For updates, visitors are encouraged to visit UDOT’s website.  

Alternate Routes: 

During closure hours, visitors should plan to use alternate routes. Depending on your destination, alternate routes may add between 10 to 45 minutes to your drive time.  

Alternate routes include:   

  • Utah 20   
  • Utah 14   
  • US 89 – Arizona 389 – Utah 59   

Additional information on travel within the construction project area:

For travel guidance and updates within the construction area, visit UDOT Zion Area Roads to Recreation/Road and Travel Information 

Information on the project 

UDOT fiber construction updates 

Tunnel History 

Learn more about the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway and Tunnel History.  
 

-NPS- 

About the National Park Service: Established in 1916, the National Park Service preserves America’s most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of current and future generations. Learn more at nps.gov.

Source & Attribution

Originally published by National Park Service on September 15, 2026. Original author: National Park Service.

Public domain: original U.S. National Park Service government news release. Photograph: The Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel is old and relatively narrow. Closures are implemented to provide safe working conditions. NPS Photo / Wil Marischen Public domain: credited NPS government photograph.

No claim to original U.S. Government works.

Disclaimer

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