The Great Arch

Zion National Park

Saint George, Utah

The Great Arch in Zion National Park

The Great Arch is not actually an arch, although someday it probably will be -- in about a million years.  Right now it's an alcove with an arched doorway.  It is one of the main sites that you can see when you drive the Mount Carmel Highway in Zion National Park.  Its location is here:  The Great Arch  It is not on the route that the shuttles take you on throughout Zion National Park, it can be viewed by driving your personal vehicle.  You can visit Zion National Park's official website here:  Zion National Park

The Great Arch along the Mount Carmel Highway

our first view of The Great Arch driving along Mt Carmel Highway

These photos were taken through my windshield, so unfortunately there is a glare in them

This looks like it will someday be a Great Arch as well

We drove the Mt Carmel Tunnel in both directions, which is very close to the Great Arch

The Mt Carmel Tunnel

a quick look at The Great Arch through one of the tunnel windows

After making it through the tunnel we turned around and went back through the tunnel in the other direction

The sign says to remove sunglasses.  It is very dark in the tunnel

Some of the other sites in Zion National Park

We spent several hours in Zion National Park.  We arrived at about 7 a.m. and waited in line for the shuttle.  We rode the shuttle all the way to the very last shuttle stop and took the Riverside Walk. Here is the Zion Shuttle Schedule:  Zion National Park Shuttle  We also stopped at Weeping Rock and at the Emerald Pools trail.  We finished our visit at the visitor's center, where we bought souvenirs and snacks.  Then we got back in our own vehicle and drove the Mount Carmel Highway and tunnel.  I hope to return to Zion National Park to hike to some of the arches in the park.  I went to Angel's Landing when I was in high school.  I doubt I could do it now - I'm far too afraid of heights!  I'd also love to hike to Kolob Arch someday, but it would have to be in the colder months.  Here is a video from our visit to the Emerald Pools:  Lower Emerald Pool  This is a video of our drive through the Mount Carmel Tunnel:  Mount Carmel Tunnel

the parking lot at Zion National Park

The parking lot is pretty expansive but it does fill up so it's wise to come early in the morning

the line for the shuttle

inside the very crowded shuttle - they really packed us in

We rode all the way to the end of the shuttle route.  Then we walked the Riverside Walk.  This is where you'd start The Narrows

people starting on The Narrows hike

a friendly squirrel on the hike

our next shuttle stop was the Weeping Rock

The Emerald Pools was our third hike

the visitor center

The Great Arch, Mount Carmel Highway

The Mount Carmel Tunnel

inside the tunnel

taking the tunnel back in the other direction

Resources on Amazon to enhance your trip to Zion National Park.  

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Zion National Park Day Hikes Map

Easy Hikes in Zion National Park for Beginners

Favorite Hikes In and Around Zion National Park

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Zion National Park Hiking Guide

The Complete Hiking Guide to Zion National Park

Day Hikes of Zion National Park

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Zion National Park Hiking Guide 2026

Utah National Parks Guide 2026