Tour of Utah Riding Through Zion National Park

Date: July 27, 2016
Contact: Aly Baltrus

Springdale, UT- The Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah will be riding through the park on August 1, 2016, providing a cycling demonstration in recognition of the Centennial Anniversary of the National Park Service. The cycling demonstration will start just west of the park at Zion Canyon Village at 7:55 a.m.Bikers will be following a pace car east on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, through the Zion Tunnel, and out the East Entrance of the Park by 9:15 a.m.

Please be aware of the following traffic closures related to this event:

• A section of State Route 9 from Zion Canyon Village to the intersection of Floor of the Valley Road in Zion will be closed to all traffic from 7:50 to 8:15 a.m. Motorists should be through the South Gate of Zion National Park before 7:45 a.m. The South Gate to the park is expected to reopen by 8:15 a.m. 
• The East Gate of Zion National Park will be closed to all traffic from approximately 7 to 9:15 a.m., and west bound traffic will be held at Mount Carmel Junction as the race will utilize State Route 9 / Zion-Mount Carmel Highway from Zion Canyon Village to U.S. Highway 89.
• U.S. Highway 89 will be impacted by the race from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. from Mount Carmel Junction until the race turns onto State Highway 14. Expect delays with a rolling road closure for these 22 miles. - Traveling north on US 89, traffic is permitted to follow behind the race. No passing is permitted. - Traveling south on US 89, traffic will be stopped and delayed 15-20 minutes as the race approaches and passes.

"The coincidence of the Tour of Utah and the National Park Service Centennial in 2016 offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase the park's remarkable landscape, and helps promote the NPS Centennial goal to connect with and create the next generation of park visitors, supporters and advocates", said Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh. "The Tour of Utah demonstration ride through Zion National Park is a unique opportunity for the National Park Service to highlight alternative transportation opportunities and to promote exercise and outdoor recreation."

The park has worked closely with the Tour of Utah to eliminate or substantially reduce potential environmental impacts, safety concerns and effects on visitor use. An early morning start time has been set for when visitation is historically low and roadway closures would have the least effect on visitor access to the park. Spectators are asked to use areas outside the park at Zion Canyon Village and east of the park on State Route 9, as park roads are narrow, winding and steep, presenting safety concerns and limited safe viewing locations.