East Zion Tunnel in Zion National Park

More commonly known as the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel this engineering marvel connects Zion Canyon with East Zion. Depending on what time of year you visit this tunnel can either be viewed as a fast thoroughfare (winter) or as the cause of incomprehensible vehicle gridlock (summer).

This tunnel threads together Zion National Park's two distinct landscapes. To the west, in Zion Canyon, tower majestic peaks and monoliths. While to the east of the tunnel lie rounded sandstone mesas and hoodoo rock formations. Expect delays, or, at best, slow moving gridlock if you plan on driving through the tunnel during summer. To accommodate large RVs and trucks the park has implemented an escort system, which basically converts the tunnel into a one-way thoroughfare. Hence, the gridlock. Any vehicle that's 11 feet and four inches high or higher, or seven feet and 10 inches wide or wider requires an escort and must pay a $15 fee. During winter, the park's slow season, tunnel escorts must be prearranged at the park's entrance gates. For more information call (435) 772-3256.

The tunnel, which opened in 1930, took three years to build by the Nevada Construction Company at a cost of $1,896,000. It stretches for 1.1 miles.