RV Learning

Zion National Park RV Ban – What You Need to Know!

Join Geneva Long, CEO of Bowlus, as she explains the different types of rivets used on travel trailers and why it matters to camping performance. Learn more: https://bowlus.com/

In this video, we dive into the intricate construction process of a Bowlus travel trailer, which mirrors that of an aircraft. Crafted with aircraft-grade 2024 aluminum panels and secured by approximately 5,000 rivets, the Bowlus is designed for superior strength and durability. Two types of rivets—Olympic and structural bucked rivets —are used, with buck rivets providing the structural integrity. Installing these requires two skilled craftspeople working in sync to ensure precision. Unlike other aluminum trailers that use softer rivets, Bowlus utilizes aircraft-grade materials and techniques to achieve unmatched strength and quality. Learn more about the craftsmanship behind every Bowlus!

FAQs

There have been many rumors suggesting a total ban, but that is not the case. Starting in 2026, Zion National Park is implementing restrictions on oversized vehicles specifically for the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Smaller, agile RVs like the Bowlus are still fully permitted to travel this iconic route.

Vehicles that exceed the following specifications will be restricted from the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway:
Height: Over 11 feet 4 inches.
Width: Over 7 feet 10 inches (94 inches).
Length: Over 35 feet 9 inches.
Weight: Over 50,000 lbs.

The Bowlus is engineered to thrive in the environments our National Parks were originally designed for. Even our largest model is well within the 2026 limits:
Dimensions: 27 feet long and only 80 inches (6 feet 8 inches) wide.
Weight: A GVWR of only 4,000 lbs. Because of these specifications, you can drive a Bowlus through the Zion-Mount Carmel tunnel without requiring a special tunnel escort or facing the hour-long detours required for oversized RVs.

Most National Park infrastructure was developed decades ago when vehicles and trailers were significantly smaller. Modern mass-market RVs have become increasingly “oversized,” leading to congestion and safety concerns on historic roads. A smaller, aerodynamic RV like the Bowlus ensures you have access to the most scenic routes without compromise.

Yes, vehicles exceeding the limits can still enter the park and use the open roads. however, they will be prohibited from the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. This restriction adds approximately one hour to the travel time for those looking to traverse the park to their next destination.

If your travel goals include National Parks, State Parks, and historic scenic byways, the Bowlus is your best choice. It offers the luxury of a large trailer with the agility of a much smaller vehicle, ensuring that no road is off-limits for your 2026 adventures and beyond.

Video Transcript

Hi! I’m Geneva Long, CEO of Bowlus, and today I just wanted to dive into the news and rumors that came out back in June that Zion National Park was Banning RVs in 2026. Now, this is not exactly true but let’s dive into those details. So Zion National Park is not banning all RVs. They’re banning over sized RVs specifically on the Zion Mount Caramel Highway and that’s Vehicles over 11 feet 4 in high, 7 feet 10 in wide and 35 ft 9 in long or 50,000 lb. Now, that’s a very large RV.

Vehicles that exceed these specifications will still be allowed to enter the park and drive on the open roads but they will not be able to drive on the Zion Mount Caramel highway, so it’s going to add about an extra hour to your route destination if you’re going through the park and this, you know, is just another reason why a smaller aerodynamic RV like the Bowlus is your best choice if national parks, state parks are going to be on your list of where you want your adventures to go. And that’s because the parks were developed a long time ago when our RVs were smaller and when vehicles were smaller and are designed for that.

You can check out my other video all about the top six things you need to know if you’re going to be camping in National Parks, but certainly the Bowlus is definitely still a fit for Zion National Park in 2026, and yes we have taken the Bowlus through the tunnel without requiring a tunnel escort. Our largest Bowlus is 27 feet long, 80 in wide, and 4,000 lb. GVWR, so well within those limits.

Geneva Long

Founder & CEO

Geneva Long has redefined the RV landscape since 2011, establishing the ultra-luxury travel trailer category. Drawing from her passion for adventure, she leads with a vision for user-centric design. Geneva ensures that every Bowlus delivers supreme comfort and innovative performance, built with a level of craftsmanship designed to last for generations.