Observation PointHiking Difficulty
Moderate
Length
8.00 mi
Trail Traffic
Light
Route Type
Out and Back
Highlights
Trail Surface
Native
Accessibility
Bathrooms Available
Suitability
Recommended Use
Hiking
Directions
To access the trail, take the free shuttle from Zion Visitor Center to the Weeping Rock Trailhead, the shuttle’s 7th stop. You’ll see the trail at the south end of the parking lot and across the bridge. Parking is not permitted here from March-October.
Description
A Zion classic you do not want to miss! Observation Point is an epic, and potentially grueling, hike with an incredible reward – a view over Zion Canyon and the Virgin River that you can’t get anywhere else. That’s because Observation Point is over 700 hundred feet higher than the more-famous Angel’s Landing Trail, and clocks in at 6507 feet above sea level.
Definitely a hike to test your stamina, the climb starts right away with switchback after switchback, each time taking you higher up the red cliffs, for stunning views throughout the entire hike. Look for Weeping Rock below and Angel’s Landing across the valley. After .7 miles you’ll see the junction for Hidden Canyon and soon the trail will level out. From there, you’ll enter Echo Canyon, which usually offers some shade, fun mini-slot canyons, and cooler temperatures.. After 2 miles, you’ll pass the junction for the stunning East Rim Trail and the switchbacks become more strenuous as you make your way to Observation Point. Here, the trail exposes you to some serious cliff drop-offs, but the trail is fairly wide, and usually there’s not much traffic, so it feels pretty safe. You’ll know you’re getting close when the trail starts to level out and you start walking on red dirt.
It’s best to hit this trail early morning because as soon as the sun comes over the cliffs, there won’t be any shade. As always be sure to bring water, and as the descent can be hard on your knees, hiking poles can help.
Pictures
