Zion National Park has two main sections: Zion Canyon, the main part of the park, and the less-visited Kolob Canyons. The main east-west road through Zion Canyon is the park-owned extension of Utah 9; from this road, the park's 12-mile round-trip Zion Canyon Scenic Drive heads north, providing access to most of the scenic overlooks and trail heads.
Utah 9 connects to both sides of Zion National Park, giving the main section of the park two entry gates -- south and east. The south entrance, at Springdale, is by far the more popular, with two-thirds of park visitors arriving there. Most area lodgings and restaurants are found in Springdale. In addition, the park's two campgrounds and the Zion Canyon Visitor Center are located just inside the south entrance.
There is no town at the east entrance, but that route is more scenic -- it drops over 2,500 feet in elevation, passes through the 1.1-mile-long Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, and winds down six steep switchbacks. The tunnel can accommodate two-way traffic when standard passenger cars and pickup trucks are being used, but it is too small for two-way traffic that includes vehicles larger than these vehicles, so opposite-direction traffic must be stopped when larger vehicles are passing through. Those also visiting Bryce Canyon National Park will probably enter or leave Zion through the east entrance.
