National Park Access 2026

New International Entry Requirements (Effective Jan 1, 2026)

The National Park Service has implemented a new fee structure for all non-U.S. residents.

• $100 Surcharge: All international visitors (ages 16+) must pay a $100 per-person surcharge in addition to the standard park entrance fee.

• Residency Verification: All visitors must present a government-issued photo ID (Passport, Driver’s License, etc.) at the entrance station to verify residency.

• Non-Resident Annual Pass: A new $250 America the Beautiful Non-Resident Pass is available. This pass waives the $100 surcharge for the pass holder and passengers in a single vehicle.

• Applicable Parks: This rule applies to Bryce Canyon, Zion, and 9 other major western parks.

Zion Large Vehicle Access

Large Vehicle Restrictions & Zion Tunnel (Effective June 7, 2026)

Access rules for oversized vehicles on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (SR-9) have changed significantly.

• Permanent Prohibition: As of June 7, vehicles exceeding 35' 9" in length or 11' 4" in height are strictly prohibited from using the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel.

• No More Permits: The previous "tunnel escort" permit system has ended. There are no exceptions for RVs or trailers exceeding these dimensions.

• Detour Required: Oversized vehicles traveling between Bryce Canyon and Zion must now use SR-14 or UT-59/Hwy 389 (via Cedar City or Fredonia). This detour adds approximately 1.5 to 2 hours of travel time.

• Standard Vehicles: Passenger cars and small SUVs under the height limit can continue to use the tunnel as normal.

Road & Trail Updates

State Route 12 (Red Canyon)

• Status: Winter Hiatus. Major construction on the SR-12 box culvert (MP 6–7) has paused for the winter season.

• Current Conditions: Crews have completed the new structure and paved the roadway. All temporary signals and lane shifts have been removed for the winter.

• Spring 2026: Crews will return in April/May to apply the final "chip and seal" surface and complete hydroseeding. Expect minor delays to resume in the spring.