Las Vegas to Zion National Park: Riverside Walk & Carmel Tunnel Day Trip

What's a mile-long tunnel carved through sandstone cliffs worth, if you can hike the Virgin River on the same day?

You're picked up from your Las Vegas hotel and driven to Zion National Park, where you hike the Riverside Walk along the Virgin River, pass through the historic Carmel Tunnel, visit key viewpoints, and tour the park museum with a 12-minute film. The guide covers park entry and geology; you bring comfortable hiking shoes and moderate fitness. Return to your hotel in the evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Depart from Las Vegas
• Drive to Zion South Entrance
• Pass through Carmel Tunnel
• Bus tour to Temple of Sinawava Trail
• Hike Riverside Walk along Virgin River
• Visit key viewpoints for panoramas
• Explore Zion National Park Museum
• Return to Las Vegas

The Experience

About 10 hours round trip from Las Vegas, and most of it is the drive — but that's the trade that gets you inside Zion National Park without arranging your own transport or park permits. You get picked up from your hotel early, then spend the scenic drive through Southern Utah watching the landscape shift from desert floor to the towering red walls you came for. The guide handles the National Parks Permit, so you walk straight in.

The Riverside Walk is the main event. It's a gentle trail that runs alongside the Virgin River as it winds through the canyon, with canyon walls rising up on both sides and the water right there — close enough to hear it, close enough to feel how narrow the space is. You stop at viewpoints along the way, and the guide points out the geology, the way the river carved through all that rock over time. Then you pass through the Carmel Tunnel, which is exactly what it sounds like: a mile-long tunnel blasted through the cliff face, with windows cut into the stone so you can see out as you drive through. It's strange and engineered and natural all at once.

After the tunnel, there's a bus tour from the Visitor Center to the Temple of Sinawava Trail for more panoramic views, and then you finish at the Zion Museum, where a 12-minute film gives you the geology and history of the place in case you want context for what you've just walked through. Bottled water is included, and the guide is certified — which matters when you're learning about rock formations and canyon systems you've never seen before. The remaining hours are transfer time, so you're not rushing through the park itself, but you're also not spending the whole day there. It's built around the Las Vegas schedule, not the other way around.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Las Vegas.
• National Parks Permit and entry to Zion National Park.
• certified guide for the day.
• the Riverside Walk hike along the Virgin River.
• passage through the Carmel Tunnel with viewpoints.
• bus tour to Temple of Sinawava Trail.
• visit to the Zion Museum and 12-minute introductory film.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availableNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Skyline Expeditions

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see Zion's main highlights in one day without renting a car or navigating park logistics yourself — the long drive is what makes the full itinerary fit into a single outing from Las Vegas.

Traveler reviews

4.15★★★★★★★★★★

26 verified traveler reviews

5 ★20

4 ★0

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★5

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

How long is the Riverside Walk hike?

The Riverside Walk is a gentle, easy trail along the Virgin River. It's not strenuous, and the exact distance depends on how far you walk, but it's designed for nature observation and photography rather than a long backcountry trek.

Is the National Parks Permit included in the price?

Yes. The certified guide handles the National Parks Permit, so it's included with your tour. International visitors may have an additional fee collected at the destination, not at booking.

What time does pickup happen?

Pickup is from your Las Vegas hotel early in the morning, though the exact time depends on your hotel location. The full day is around 10 hours round trip, with about 5 hours or more spent on transfer and drive time.

Can I bring children on this tour?

Yes. Specialized infant seats are available. Children should be comfortable with a long drive and a moderate-paced hike along the Riverside Walk.

What's included in the tour?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, the National Parks Permit, a certified guide, bottled water, and access to the park's trails, viewpoints, and museum with the 12-minute film.

Is this tour recommended for people with health concerns?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness for the hiking and full-day activity.