Zion National Park Scary Dropoffs
 

My wife gets nervous traveling in the car when we ride some areas in the western U.S. and there are high dropoffs with no guard rails. We are planning to visit Zion park and heard that there is an area either before going through a tunnel or after exiting the tunnel that would make her nervous. Any information on this. Thanks.

The main road from Springdale into the park won't be a problem (you are at the bottom of the canyon so no dropoffs). You will be on the shuttle for this part, anyways, in season.

If you turn off on Hw 9to the east, toward Mt Carmel Junction, she isn't going to like it!

From Springdale on Hwy 9 you enter Zion National Park and you are in the canyon. As you exit going towards Mt. Carmel Junction the section before the Tunnel there are several switch backs with drop offs. It's not a long section. If you are coming from Mt. Carmel Junction then it's after the Zion Tunnel.

Not sure where else in Utah you are going, but she's not going to like Hwy 12 between Bryce and Torrey either. Also the entrance to Arches National Park.

Utahtea

The main road from Springdale into the park is cool, no drop-off. Hwy 9 to the east, Hwy 12 toward Mt Carmel Junction, and between Bryce and Torrey either she won't like it!

http://www.portcanaveraltransportation.com/
http://www.limousineorlando.com/

The only relatively big dropoffs are on the switchbacks that lead up to the tunnel. It didn't seem so bad to me, but I was driving.

Click on this link:

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/88429137

for a view looking down on the switchbacks
that bring you up to the tunnel. There aren't
really any 'scary dropoffs' IMO.

As other's have mentioned, scenic Highway 12
will certainly give your wife a thrill...especially
The Hogsback just before Boulder.

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/88442508

I drove thru Zion from west to east and then back from east to west a few days later.

I found the highway in Escalante, with it's steep grade to be a bit unsettling. Not Zion.

There are switchbacks but that's the reason for switchbacks. The reduce the grade.

It's not scary at all. Just don't take the reverses too fast.

Don't worry.

I'm not afraid of heights, but I definitely did not like going up or down the through the switchbacks. Go the Route 9 Springdale route if at all possible. By the way, my husband and I stayed at the Zion Lodge in the park and we absolutely LOVED it. If you're looking for hotel recommendations - stay at the Lodge.