Early Wednesday morning, Sept. 23, a large rockfall in Zion National Park closed the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, UT 9 between Canyon Junction and the east side of the park. The slide occurred near the switchback by the Pine Creek Bridge and has blocked both lanes of traffic. Due to the enormity of the rockfall, crews will be required to use explosives and heavy machinery to remove the debris. Emergency response crews will not be available on the east side of Zion National Park due to the rockfall.
Both the Scenic Drive and main Zion Canyon roads remain open.
Alternate routes for both east and west travel are available. A route along Highway 59 from Hurricane to Fredonia, Ariz., is available, as is UT 14 from Cedar City to Long Valley and the junction with Highway 89. Regardless of the rockfall, visitors to Zion National Park may still access the park by traveling UT 9 via Interstate 15.
All Zion National Park facilities such as the Visitor’s Center, museum, campgrounds and shuttle buses are also operating without interruption and are on their regular schedule.
According to the Zion National Park’s press release, it is expected that crews will be able to clear enough of the rockfall to reopen UT 9 later this evening. Warning signs will be posted announcing the road closure and the park’s radio broadcasts (AM 1610) in place at Hurricane, Mt. Carmel Junction, and both east and west entrances, as well as the park’s radio broadcasts (AM 1610), will be announcing the status of the closure.
For more information on the Zion National Park rockfall, go to the Zion National Park website or call Jin Prugsawan at (435) 772-7612.
