Forum Discussion

texasjayco's avatar
texasjayco
Explorer
Jan 30, 2019

Calling Southern Utah experts

Hoping to get some input from some of the Utah experts out there. We’re doing a two-week trip to the area, starting with the Grand Canyon. We have never been to this area, so we don’t know the roads and only looked at Google Maps to determine which routes to take. But for example, Google Maps routed us through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel!! Luckily, I saw another thread that described the tunnel. I’m pretty sure my 42ft 5er (13.4 tall) would not fit through there!!

I do have quite a bit of mountain driving experience going through WY & CO, so not too worried about that. The Hogback looks intimidating, but very doable.

Please take a look at my routes from there to our other stops and advise. We welcome any ideas and suggestions.

From Trailer Village to Watchman Campground (Zion):
64 to 89 north to Kanab. Then 89A down to Fredonia, then 389/59 to Hurricane. Up to LaVerkin, and Hwy 9 into the park

Watchman to Escalante RV Park (Bryce & Canyon Reef):
Hwy 9 to I-15 north to catch Hwy 20. 20 east to catch Hwy 89 down to hwy 12, east to Escalante

Escalante to Dead Horse Point SP Canyonland & Arches):
Hwy 12 over the Hogback to catch hwy 24 at Torrey, then 24 to I-70, to hwy 191

We already have reservations at all the stops, so we can’t change that. But any changes recommended for my routes? Just don't want any other surprises like the tunnel!!

Thanks for the help!!

Mark
Roads and Routes
  • texasjayco's avatar
    texasjayco
    Explorer
    Feb 09, 2019
    Yeah, we are staying at Dead Horse SP for 5 days to explore Arches and Canyonlands from there.

    Thanks for the responses everyone!! Looks like my routes will work good.

    Mark
  • c_traveler2's avatar
    c_traveler2
    Nomad
    Feb 01, 2019
    texasjayco wrote:
    Hoping to get some input from some of the Utah experts out there. We’re doing a two-week trip to the area, starting with the Grand Canyon. We have never been to this area, so we don’t know the roads and only looked at Google Maps to determine which routes to take. But for example, Google Maps routed us through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel!! Luckily, I saw another thread that described the tunnel. I’m pretty sure my 42ft 5er (13.4 tall) would not fit through there!!

    I do have quite a bit of mountain driving experience going through WY & CO, so not too worried about that. The Hogback looks intimidating, but very doable.

    Please take a look at my routes from there to our other stops and advise. We welcome any ideas and suggestions.

    From Trailer Village to Watchman Campground (Zion):
    64 to 89 north to Kanab. Then 89A down to Fredonia, then 389/59 to Hurricane. Up to LaVerkin, and Hwy 9 into the park

    Watchman to Escalante RV Park (Bryce & Canyon Reef):
    Hwy 9 to I-15 north to catch Hwy 20. 20 east to catch Hwy 89 down to hwy 12, east to Escalante

    Escalante to Dead Horse Point SP Canyonland & Arches):
    Hwy 12 over the Hogback to catch hwy 24 at Torrey, then 24 to I-70, to hwy 191

    We already have reservations at all the stops, so we can’t change that. But any changes recommended for my routes? Just don't want any other surprises like the tunnel!!

    Thanks for the help!!

    Mark


    On SR 389 not far from Fredonia is Pipe Springs NM, near this is Kaibab Paiute Tribe RV Park. Leaving you 5th wheel here would make a shorter trip to Zion, yes you would have go through the tunnel with your truck and when your ready to head for Escalate it's a short drive to SR89 to SR12. Check this route out and see if you like it.

    The hogback looks worst than it really is, you'll have more concern in the Escalate switchback area, just take it slow you'll be fine.

    Don't take you 5th wheel into Arches NP,the road inside is very narrow in sections. There are several good RV places outside the NP to drop your 5th wheel off.

    There is a state park on SR24 north of Hanksville called Goblin State Park, it's a well worth stop. Any other question just PM me.
  • texasjayco's avatar
    texasjayco
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2019
    trailertraveler wrote:
    texasjayco wrote:
    ...I’m pretty sure my 42ft 5er (13.4 tall) would not fit through there!!...
    According to the Park's website there is both a height and length restriction.
    Prohibited Vehicles
    Vehicles over 13 feet 1 inch tall, Semi-trucks, vehicles carrying hazardous materials, vehicles weighing more than 50,000 pounds, single vehicles over 40 feet long, combined vehicles over 50 feet long...
    I doubt your truck and 42' 5er are less than 50' long and unlike a motorhome and toad you do not have the option of unhooking to drive each separately.


    We are def not planning to tow the 5er thru the tunnel!! The route I described going to Watchman from GC bypasses the tunnel. But will def go thru it in the truck.

    Just wanting to make sure there are no other surprises along the routes I have planned.

    Thanks for the responses everyone!!

    Mark
  • Supercharged's avatar
    Supercharged
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2019
    azdryheat wrote:
    Tour buses go through the Zion tunnel every day. However, I've been through the tunnel on my Harley and I found that I wouldn't want to take my rig into the park. I'd park it somewhere outside the park, unhitch, and take the truck in. The roads can be tight and crowded with tourists. Zion isn't really big-rig friendly.

    Get yourself a Motor Carrier's Atlas at any truckstop and use it see if your route is OK for the truckers.
    What I would do if you are going west into the Zion tunnel is you and your wife slide over close close to the drivers door and lean to the left until you get all the tough. Remember lean to the left.
  • ReneeG's avatar
    ReneeG
    Explorer
    Jan 30, 2019
    We drove through the tunnel years ago with a travel trailer and loved it. Our current trailer is outside the height and length restriction.

    We've driven all those routes and even with the 14% grade over the Hogsback, it's do-able. A lot of FW's and large Class A's take those routes along with all the other various sized RVs.

    This is a beautiful area. Enjoy. I'm looking forward to going back.
  • trailertraveler's avatar
    trailertraveler
    Explorer
    Jan 30, 2019
    texasjayco wrote:
    ...I’m pretty sure my 42ft 5er (13.4 tall) would not fit through there!!...
    According to the Park's website there is both a height and length restriction.
    Prohibited Vehicles
    Vehicles over 13 feet 1 inch tall, Semi-trucks, vehicles carrying hazardous materials, vehicles weighing more than 50,000 pounds, single vehicles over 40 feet long, combined vehicles over 50 feet long...
    I doubt your truck and 42' 5er are less than 50' long and unlike a motorhome and toad you do not have the option of unhooking to drive each separately.
  • Busskipper's avatar
    Busskipper
    Explorer
    Jan 30, 2019
    texasjayco wrote:
    Hoping to get some input from some of the Utah experts out there. We’re doing a two-week trip to the area, starting with the Grand Canyon. We have never been to this area, so we don’t know the roads and only looked at Google Maps to determine which routes to take. But for example, Google Maps routed us through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel!! Luckily, I saw another thread that described the tunnel. I’m pretty sure my 42ft 5er (13.4 tall) would not fit through there!!

    I do have quite a bit of mountain driving experience going through WY & CO, so not too worried about that. The Hogback looks intimidating, but very doable.

    Please take a look at my routes from there to our other stops and advise. We welcome any ideas and suggestions.

    From Trailer Village to Watchman Campground (Zion):
    64 to 89 north to Kanab. Then 89A down to Fredonia, then 389/59 to Hurricane. Up to LaVerkin, and Hwy 9 into the park

    Watchman to Escalante RV Park (Bryce & Canyon Reef):
    Hwy 9 to I-15 north to catch Hwy 20. 20 east to catch Hwy 89 down to hwy 12, east to Escalante

    Escalante to Dead Horse Point SP Canyonland & Arches):
    Hwy 12 over the Hogback to catch hwy 24 at Torrey, then 24 to I-70, to hwy 191

    We already have reservations at all the stops, so we can’t change that. But any changes recommended for my routes? Just don't want any other surprises like the tunnel!!

    Thanks for the help!!

    Mark


    All your routes look Fine, Funny how we all look at things - I Love Driving through the Tunnel and Never miss the Opportunity to go through. you will pay $15.00 and drive through with No Traffic - it's Easy then you get to drive out of Zion on the winding road past the Checkerboard and the lone Pine.

    Checkerboard

    Lone Tree

    Just an amazing drive I'll never Miss.

    Tunnel info

    Enjoy the Trip, be sure to do the Narrows and Angels Landings while in the Park.

    Best of Luck,
  • azdryheat's avatar
    azdryheat
    Explorer
    Jan 30, 2019
    Tour buses go through the Zion tunnel every day. However, I've been through the tunnel on my Harley and I found that I wouldn't want to take my rig into the park. I'd park it somewhere outside the park, unhitch, and take the truck in. The roads can be tight and crowded with tourists. Zion isn't really big-rig friendly.

    Get yourself a Motor Carrier's Atlas at any truckstop and use it see if your route is OK for the truckers.

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