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Tunnel Canyon

The east side of Zion National Park has some great hiking that is off the beaten path such as this short little drainage located near the smaller tunnel in the park. Although most visitors drive through the east side and are in awe of the beauty. They are at a loss for what do beside the classic Canyon Overlook Trail and of course most stop at the many pullouts along the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. In realty, even though established east-side routes are not shown on your park map, there are a multitude of places to explore amid Zion's slickrock.

Best Season: Year-round. Hiking in slot canyons presents a very real danger from flash flooding. Do not hike this trail if it is raining. Remember a storm far off can trigger a flash flood.

Parking - Just east of the small tunnel .25 miles is a pullout on the north side of the road just after a left hand curve. There is enough space for several vehicles, but may be occupied during the busier spring and summer months. The little tunnel is 1.5 miles east of the 1.1 mile long Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel.

Tunnel Canyon - This canyon involves an easy one mile round-trip hike through a mostly slickrock waterway. From the parking area, walk back toward the tunnel and look for the wash that enters from the north, just at the entrance of the tunnel. Find the beaten path down into the wash. Ascend the slickrock wash where you will find relatively easy hiking as it ascends for the next half-mile until reaching the saddle where you can no longer continue. Never scramble up or down slickrock without the proper skills and without sticky shoes appropriate for hiking on slickrock. Serenity, solitude and a total feeling of the backcountry experience is found as you work your way up this pretty wash.

Photo Album: Tunnel Canyon Pictures
Trail Maps: Tunnel Canyon Topo Map
Day Hike: Yes
Distance: 1mile round-trip
Average Hiking Time: 1 hour
Equipment: Sticky rubber soled hiking shoes.
Difficulty: Some slickrock scrambling may be required.
Permits: Not required. Check the weather report before hiking this trail. Do not hike if it looks like rain
Trailhead: The small tunnel along the Zion-Mt. Camel Hwy.
Trailend: Same as the trailhead.
Trail Access: The Zion-Mt. Carmel Hwy is open year-round.
Elevation Gain: 300'
Off the Beaten Path: Yes
Classic Zion Park Hike: No

Directions to Zion National Park From the North: Travel I-15 south, past Beaver. exit on Hwy 20. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take SR-9 to Zion's east entrance. From Arizona: Travel US-89A through Fredonia, Arizona and Kanab Utah. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take SR-9 to the east park entrance. From the South: Travel I-15 north. Take exit 16 and travel through Hurricane to LaVerkin. Continue on SR-9 to the south entrance of the park. SR-9 through Zion National Park is always open and is also called the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. See restrictions for RV's.			Tunnel Canyon is a nice excursion off the beaten path, and in the east side of the park.
	Lodging and services are available on the gorgeous east side of Zion National Park, where guests are close to Zion National Park (12 miles), Bryce Canyon National Park (60 miles), Cedar Breaks National Monument (45 miles), Coral Pink Sand Dunes (12 miles), and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (85 miles). It's where city traffic is absent and the skies are bright and clean.

GPS Coordinates WGS84 Datum

Parking
37°12.980N
112°55.103W

Trailhead
37°13.102N
112°55.329W

Trailend
37°13.344N
112°55.463W

More Nearby Short Canyons to Explore
Shelf Canyon
Separation Canyon
Cascading Falls
Gifford Canyon
Hidden Gardens
Many Pools
Clear Creek

Beta: Coordinates and other trail and canyoneering information by Zion Park search and rescue veteran team member Bo Beck and zionnational-park.com author Mary Cisneros.

To post trip reports, offer corrections, updates, or for more information please visit the Zion National Park Forum

Suggested Gear: A sturdy pair of shoes are recommend to hike the trails in Zion National Park. Many quality shoes will help grip the rocks and prevent injury.

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Canyoneering

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Hiking List

Hiking along SR-9