# Zion East Entrance: this week

> Week of Nov 9–15, 2026 · Zion National Park · Mt. Carmel Junction, UT (SR-9) · Status: **Open — gravel section, size limits**. Facts fetched Nov 12, 2026 from official NPS and NWS sources.

HTML version: https://parks.goes.health/parks/zion/east-entrance.html

The East Entrance west of Mt. Carmel Junction starts the Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway: slickrock country, the Canyon Overlook Trail, and the historic tunnel down to Zion Canyon.

## This week at the East Entrance (official conditions)

- **Heads-up:** The Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway reopened to visitors Oct 9 after a Sept 30 rockfall. One section is temporarily gravel until it's repaved, so drive with caution and watch for crews and pedestrians. Sources: [News release: Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway reopens (Oct 9, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/zion/learn/news/2026-10-09-zmch.htm)
- **Heads-up:** Large-vehicle restrictions: vehicles over the length, width, height or weight limits can't travel between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance and must go around through Springdale. Sources: [NPS Zion alerts (NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm); [Zion large-vehicle restrictions](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/large-vehicles.htm)
- **Open:** Personal vehicles are allowed on the Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway year-round, including during shuttle season. Sources: [Zion operating hours & facility hours](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/hours.htm)

**Entrance fee:** Private vehicle $35. Non-US residents 16+ pay an additional $100 nonresident fee unless entering with an annual / America the Beautiful pass. Angels Landing requires a separate permit. Sources: [NPS Zion fees & passes](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/fees.htm); [NPS Data API (parks, operating hours, fees)](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/developer/api-documentation.htm); [Angels Landing permits](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm)

## Forecast near the East Entrance

| Period | Temp | Forecast | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonight | 37°F | Clear | 12 mph |
| Thursday | 61°F | Sunny | 6 to 12 mph |
| Thursday Night | 38°F | Partly Cloudy | 12 mph |
| Friday | 56°F | Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain | 3 to 10 mph |
| Friday Night | 39°F | Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms | 3 to 14 mph |
| Saturday | 45°F | Showers And Thunderstorms | 5 to 15 mph |
| Saturday Night | 28°F | Mostly Clear | 5 mph |
| Sunday | 50°F | Mostly Sunny | 0 to 6 mph |

Snapshot from the National Weather Service, fetched Nov 12, 2026. Live forecast: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.234&lon=-112.876

## What actually matters here this season

The goal is a good trip, not a scary one. These are the hazards NPS highlights for this area and season, and what to do about each.

- **Slickrock edges.** Canyon Overlook and the slickrock pullouts have drop-offs. Sand on stone is slippery: stay back from edges and watch kids. Sources: [Zion safety: flash floods, cliffs, hypothermia, water](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/safety.htm)
  - In GOES: Offline interactive health assessment + 50+ visual how-to guides
- **Colder, higher side of the park.** NWS forecast near the East Entrance: lows in the upper 30s, highs around 56–61°F, then rain and thunderstorms Friday night into Saturday. Sources: [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/)
  - In GOES: Environmental Health: hypothermia and frostbite assessments
- **Lightning and flash floods.** Storms are in the forecast. NPS warns flash floods can occur at any time in Zion; avoid washes and narrow canyons when storms are around. Sources: [Zion safety: flash floods, cliffs, hypothermia, water](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/safety.htm); [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/)
  - In GOES: 125+ extreme weather alerts

## Checklist for the East Entrance

- [ ] **Check your vehicle size** — Oversize vehicles must go around through Springdale.
- [ ] **Allow time for the gravel section** — A temporary surface after the rockfall.
- [ ] **Download GOES before Mt. Carmel Junction** — Plan for thin coverage on the east side.

Follow official NPS rules, posted closures and ranger instructions. They override anything on this page.

## Zion park-wide

- **Flash floods.** Flash floods can happen at any time in Zion, carrying trees and boulders. The Narrows closes when flow exceeds 150 cfs or when NWS issues a Flash Flood Warning. Rain and thunderstorms are forecast Friday night into Saturday this week. Sources: [Zion safety: flash floods, cliffs, hypothermia, water](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/safety.htm); [Zion Current Conditions](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm); [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/)
  - In GOES: 125+ extreme weather alerts
- **Toxic cyanobacteria.** Don't drink water from rivers, streams or pools, and don't submerge your head in them. Use potable water, and treat spring water only as a last resort. Sources: [Zion toxic cyanobacteria advisory](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/toxic-cyanobacteria-bloom-in-the-virgin-river-and-the-streams-of-zion-national-park.htm); [NPS Zion alerts (NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
  - In GOES: Offline interactive health assessment + 50+ visual how-to guides
- **Hypothermia in the canyons.** NPS: hypothermia is a major hazard in narrow canyons, and immersion in water is the fastest way to lose body heat. Avoid cotton and eat before you get chilled. Sources: [Zion safety: flash floods, cliffs, hypothermia, water](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/safety.htm)
  - In GOES: Environmental Health: hypothermia and frostbite assessments
- **Cliffs.** Falls from cliffs on trails have caused deaths. Loose sand on stone is slippery, so stay on the trail and back from edges. Sources: [Zion safety: flash floods, cliffs, hypothermia, water](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/safety.htm)
  - In GOES: Offline interactive health assessment + 50+ visual how-to guides

## All active Zion NPS alerts

From the NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12, 2026. Live: https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

- **[Park Closure] Watchman Trail closed.** The Watchman Trail is closed pending repairs.
- **[Caution] Large vehicle restrictions on Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway.** Vehicles that exceed length, width, height, or weight limits cannot travel between Canyon Junction and the park's East Entrance. See the current limits on the page linked below. (https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/large-vehicles.htm)
- **[Caution] Toxic cyanobacteria in rivers, streams, and pools.** Do not submerge your head in or drink instream water in Zion National Park. (https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/toxic-cyanobacteria-bloom-in-the-virgin-river-and-the-streams-of-zion-national-park.htm)
- **[Information] Angels Landing Pilot Permit Program.** All hikers need a permit to hike Angels Landing. Learn why you need a permit and how to get one using the link below. (https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm)
- **[Information] Please park legally and responsibly.** Zion has limited parking. Once parking spaces in Zion are full, visitors should park in Springdale. Please park only in designated spaces. Vehicles parked outside of designated spaces are subject to citation and towing. (https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/traffic.htm#parking)

## Get the GOES app before the gate

**When signal drops, GOES steps in.** Slickrock drop-offs, a cold, stormy weekend and a rebuilt road. Download GOES before Mt. Carmel Junction so its offline injury guidance is ready.

GOES — Outdoor Health & Safety is your outdoor safety companion: an offline interactive health assessment, 50+ visual how-to guides, 200+ prevention tips across 60+ medical topics, and location-specific risk indicators (wildlife, cold, heat, altitude, ticks, poisonous plants, UV, smoke). Built by wilderness medicine physicians: founded by Dr. Grant Lipman; Chief Medical Officer Dr. Colin Little, MD, FAWM.

- iOS (App Store): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goes-outdoor-health-safety/id1576527901
- Android (Google Play): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goes.mobile
- About GOES: https://goes.health/platform

Free to download. Premium features need a monthly or annual subscription after a 7-day free trial. GOES provides guidance. It is not a substitute for professional medical care.

## Other Zion entrances

- [South Entrance](https://parks.goes.health/parks/zion/south-entrance.md): Open — shuttle through Nov 28
- [Kolob Canyons Entrance](https://parks.goes.health/parks/zion/kolob-canyons-entrance.md): Open — may close for snow or ice
- [Zion overview, closures and park-wide risks](https://parks.goes.health/parks/zion/index.md)

## Sources

Fetched Thu Nov 12, 2026 (JST), which is Wed Nov 11 evening in US time zones. We don't publish wait times, wildlife sightings or conditions we can't source.

- [News release: Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway reopens (Oct 9, 2026)](https://www.nps.gov/zion/learn/news/2026-10-09-zmch.htm)
- [NPS Zion alerts (NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- [Zion large-vehicle restrictions](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/large-vehicles.htm)
- [Zion operating hours & facility hours](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/hours.htm)
- [Zion safety: flash floods, cliffs, hypothermia, water](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/safety.htm)
- [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/)
- [Zion Canyon shuttle schedule](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/zion-canyon-shuttle-system.htm)
- [Zion Current Conditions](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- [NPS Zion fees & passes](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/fees.htm)
- [NPS Data API (parks, operating hours, fees)](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/developer/api-documentation.htm)
- [Angels Landing permits](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm)
- [Zion toxic cyanobacteria advisory](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/toxic-cyanobacteria-bloom-in-the-virgin-river-and-the-streams-of-zion-national-park.htm)
- [NPS Zion National Park](https://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm)

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*GOES provides guidance. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. ParkReady Guides is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service. Always follow official NPS rules, posted closures and ranger instructions. Conditions change quickly; check the linked NPS pages before you go. In an emergency, call 911.*

ParkReady Guides by GOES Health · Week of Nov 9–15, 2026 · facts fetched Nov 12, 2026 from NPS and NWS. Agent overview: https://parks.goes.health/llms.txt · Conditions feed (JSON): https://parks.goes.health/conditions.json