A precursor to the present nine-mile road was first built in 1916, but was later redesigned by the National Park Service Branch of Plans and Designs to highlight the natural features of the valley while presenting a natural-appearing built environment.

The Cable Creek Bridge is separately nominated to the National Register of Historic Places as a particularly prominent example of the style.

Tufts, was a single-lane dirt road that extended as far as the Weeping Rock parking area.

[2] Traffic congestion in the narrow canyon was recognized as a major problem in the 1990s and a public transportation system using propane-powered shuttle buses was instituted in the year 2000.

From April through October, the scenic drive in Zion Canyon is closed to private vehicles and visitors ride the shuttle buses.