Near Springdale in Washington County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Impassable Barrier

Photographed by James Hulse, April 7, 2025

1. Impassable Barrier Marker

Inscription. In the 1920s this end of the canyon appeared to be a dead end, an impassable barrier to transportation. To highway engineers the toughest challenge was the cliff above. Their solution: a one-mile tunnel behind the cliff face.

When tunnel and highway were completed in 1930, they opened the region to motor tourism, linking Zion to Bryce and the Grand Canyon's North Rim. Now the tunnel itself has become a kind of barrier, as today's RVs and tour buses are too large for two-way traffic within the tunnel. Expect short delays as oncoming traffic is held to allow oversize vehicles to pass through.

Captions
(Photo #1) Work on the tunnel began with drilling small shafts into the north-facing cliff. Those shafts later became the tunnel's windows or galleries, like the one visible from here. The four galleries are not only a source of light and air but were places to expel rubble as workmen tunneled toward both ends.
(Photo #2) The temporary wooden framework at the east portal was replaced with a concrete bridge.
(Photo #3) Portions of the tunnel were shored with timbers. In 1937 the entire tunnel was lined with concrete.
(Photo #4) The small pilot tunnel was enlarged by drilling and blasting. Crews moved forward 30 to 36 feet a day.

Erected by

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Zion National Park, National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 37° 12.723′ N, 112° 57.389′ W. Marker is near Springdale, Utah, in Washington County. It is on Zion Park Boulevard (State Road 9) 2½ miles east of Zion Canyon Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located at a small road side parking area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hurricane UT 84737, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Utah’s Color Country. It is also in the American Southwest,

in the Mountain West,

and in Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Zion Mt. Carmel Tunnel and Highway, Utah (approx. 0.9 miles away); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 1.3 miles away); Sentinel Slide (approx. 1.7 miles away); Court of the Patriarchs (approx. 1.7 miles away); Original Inhabitants / Living Traditions (approx. 1.9 miles away); Promised Land (approx. 1.9 miles away); Westward Expansion (approx. 1.9 miles away); Birth of a Park (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springdale.

The view of the Impassable Barrier Marker along the highway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 7, 2025

2. The view of the Impassable Barrier Marker along the highway

The view of one of the four windows (galleries) of the tunnel from the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 7, 2025

3. The view of one of the four windows (galleries) of the tunnel from the marker

Closeup of a window image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 7, 2025

4. Closeup of a window

The reverse view of the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 7, 2025

5. The reverse view of the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 384 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 16, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.