You used to be able to hike to Observation Point, Zion National Park from the Weeping Rock shuttle stop in Zion Canyon. A rock slide in 2019 put a stop to that. But you can still get there. In this guide, we look at a Zion Observation Point alternate route.
The Observation Point (Zion) hike on the East Rim Trail is challenging, but the trail itself is huge fun with amazing views along the way.
⚠️ Note that you can do this hike all the way from the East Rim Trailhead, but I’m describing it from the Stave Spring Trailhead, as I did it. I’ve also included all the practical information you need to know to do this hike.
Let’s get into it.
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Table of Contents
Zion National Park Observation Point Hike (East Rim Trail) Details
Distance: 4.7 miles each way from the Zion Ponderosa Ranch drop-off/ Stave Spring Trailhead. 10.6 miles each way from the East Rim Trailhead.
Type: Out-and-back (but can be combined with the East Mesa Trail and a shuttle to/ from Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort to form a loop).
Elevation change: 2,162 feet
Zion Observation Point Elevation: The actual point is 6,508 feet above sea level.
Time: Approx. 3.5 hours each way from the Stave Spring Trailhead. 5-7 hours each way from the East Rim Trailhead.
Difficulty: Challenging
Trailhead: The main East Rim Trailhead is on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, 100 feet west of the East Entrance fee booths. However, this description is from the Stave Spring Trailhead.
Highlights: Observation Point has (IMHO) the best view in Zion National Park! The trail goes through Echo Canyon, which is also beautiful.
Fee: There’s no fee for the trail but it’s inside Zion National Park and there’s an entrance fee for the park. Find the latest fees on the NPS website. Note that you do not go through an entrance station to get to the Stave Spring Trailhead.
To avoid long lines and save money, if you’re planning to visit more than just Zion National Park this year, it can be great value to purchase an America The Beautiful pass.
➡️ Get an America The Beautiful pass here
Open: All year
Description of the East Rim Trail from the Stave Spring Trailhead to Observation Point
This is an alternative to the original Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park, which has been closed for several years now.
I’m only describing the East Rim Trail from Stave Spring Trailhead to Observation Point. You can definitely hike all the way from the East Rim Trailhead. That trail heads up from the East Rim Trailhead to a plateau with views of sandstone cliffs all around then proceeds through ponderosa forest to Stave Spring.
But, starting at Stave Spring Trailhead:
There’s a small, unpaved parking area at the trailhead. This is also where the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort’s private shuttle drops you off (they call it the Cable Mountain stop, since this is also the start to Cable Mountain).
There’s a sign with some notices and a map. The start of the trail is very obvious.
The trail starts in a ponderosa pine forest, but after about 5 minutes, you leave the forest behind and head into a field, which has sage brush (stop and smell it – it really does smell like sage). There are often pretty wildflowers in bloom in this section.
You’re now exposed to the sun.
⚠️ Be sure to wear a good sunhat, sunscreen and sun glasses. I hiked this in August and also used a hiking umbrella and cooling neck scarf.
My hiking umbrella didn’t collapse smaller, so that the pole was solid and sturdier. It attached to the strap of my day pack, so I had my hands free for hiking poles (also really helpful on this hike).
➡️ get my favorite hiking poles here
The umbrella created shade and it was a lot cooler. The one thing I didn’t like about it was that over time, it dragged on my shoulder. But the coolness was worth it. They’re also not the best when you need to pass people on narrow trails, but I saw literally 7 other people the entire hike (in mid-August!), so this was not an issue on this trail.
➡️ get a lightweight, hands-free hiking umbrella here
The cooling neck scarf was also a game-changer. You soak it the night before, then drape it around your neck and it’s surprisingly cool, until it dries out, which takes a couple of hours. I had 3 – I kept the wet ones in a Ziplock bag and swapped them out when the other one dried. I really recommend these.
➡️ get a set of 3 cooling neck scarfs here
About 10-12 minutes into the hike, you’ll come to a split in the trail. There’s a small sign on the left indicating East Entrance 5.5 Miles and Cable Mountain 3.5 Miles. Don’t take this trail!
There’s another small sign on the trail to the right that may warn of a trail closure and no access to Weeping Rock and Zion Canyon. This is the trail you want to take.
The trail continues through a sage brush-filled field.
About 10 minutes after the junction, you come to the edge of a side canyon.
The trail continues along the rim of this small side canyon. There are several places along this section where you can get close to the edge (be careful!) to see the canyon better.
As you proceed along the rim, you start to see more open views across the canyon.
After about 15 minutes walking along the rim of this side canyon, the trail starts to drop below the rim. It descends pretty quickly and there are drop-offs on one side in some sections.
At this point, you can see the bluff above you.
About 10 minutes after descending, the view opens to reveal Echo Canyon.
The expansive view of Echo Canyon from here is one of the highlights of this trail and one of my favorite views in Zion National Park. It’s a good place for a snack break. You’re now about 55 minutes into the hike.
These views continue for another 15 minutes or so before the trail descends further down into the valley/ canyon floor.
About 15 minutes later, you’ll be at the bottom, and walking through sparse pine forest.
I like the pointy hill that’s in front of you in this section of the trail.
About 1 hour 45 minutes into the hike, the trail turns left and crosses a wash.
This is the start of the part of the trail where you need to follow rock cairns.
➡️ Read my Guide to Trail Markers if you’re unfamiliar with them.
The trail starts to climb back up the other side of the canyon. For the most part, it’s over sliprock, so to know where to go next, you need to look for the small rocks that indicate the trail. They’re always placed within sight, usually near the far end of where you can see.
If you can’t find the next one, don’t panic. Go back to the last one, stop and look carefully around.
There’s a forest in a gully off to your left. The trail does not go that way! It goes uphill, over the rock.
Always just keep looking for the rocks.
⚠️ I will say that at this point of the trail, I was questioning my choice to do this by myself. There was one point when I couldn’t find the cairn immediately (though I soon did), and it’s remote, and there was no one else around. I was totally fine – but it would definitely be better to hike with someone, if you can.
Just keep climbing the sliprock and following the rock caches.
About 30 minutes of this rock section, the view starts to open up again and there are more stunning views.
After about 35 minutes of this rock section (another 5 minutes further along and about 2 hours 20 minutes into the hike), you’ll come to a small sign.
You are now on the main, original Observation Point Trail!
This is still part of the East Rim Trail, but the part of the trail where you need to scramble up rocks and where you need to follow stone cairns is over. The rest of the trail is very easy to follow.
Because this used to be a major trail (before the rockslide), it’s paved. However, because it’s no longer used except for people doing the East Rim Trail, it hasn’t been repaired and cleared, so it’s cracked and there are small rocks scattered over it. It’s definitely seen better days, but is still easy to walk on.
Be sure to stop and look behind you – the views are amazing.
The trail heads up a series of switchbacks. About 20 minutes on this section of the Observation Point Trail, you start to get a sense of what the view from Observation Point will look like. The trail clings to the cliff edge and there are steep drop-offs on one side.
These views last for another 20 minutes or so.
The trail then runs for a ways just below the canyon rim.
About 3 hours 15 minutes into the hike, you’ll get to the top of the rim.
Another 5 minutes or so, you come to the junction with the East Mesa Trail (to the right) and the side trail to Observation Point (to the left). You’ll pass a sign semi-blocking the trail that you’re coming from that says that the trail is closed. This is referring to the original trail down into Zion Canyon (not the East Rim Trail you took).
The last 0.4 miles is the trail that goes out to Observation Point. It’s sandy, but you’re almost there!
After about 10 minutes, you’ll arrive at Observation Point. Be sure to go all the way to the end. There’s a tiny plaque and the best view in Zion National Park.
It took me 3.5 hours almost exactly.
From here, you can either hike back or, if you took the Zion Ponderosa Ranch resort’s shuttle, return via the East Mesa Trail and get picked up by another shuttle there.
➡️ Read my Guide to The East Mesa Trail to Observation Point for full trail details on this hike.
Observation Point Zion Trail Map
This Observation Point Zion map includes both the East Rim and the East Mesa Trails, as well as the original Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park, so you can follow them and see how they all connect.
How to Get to Observation Point, Zion National Park
There are two ways to get to Observation Point. There used to be three – but as I mentioned, the Observation Point Trail from Zion Canyon has been closed for years due to a rockfall and is unlikely to open for many years.
So, the two ways you can get there are on the East Mesa Trail and the East Rim Trail.
➡️ Read my Guide to The East Mesa Trail to Observation Point for full trail details on this hike.
For the East Rim Trail, you also have two options.
You can hike the full length of the trail. The East Rim Trailhead is near the park’s East Entrance Station booths. The full trail is 10.6 miles each way. Doing this as a daytrip is very difficult due to the length, so is best done if you plan to backcountry camp.
However, the hike as described here, which starts about half way along at the Stave Spring Trailhead is 4.7 miles each way, and totally doable as a day hike.
How to Get to Stave Springs Trailhead
The East Rim of Zion Canyon is accessed separately from the main canyon. You do not go through an entrance station to get there. The main property owner in this area is Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort.
You can drive to the Stave Spring Trailhead. There’s a small parking area.
If the parking area is full, if you don’t want to risk it being full, or if you want to combine the trail with the East Mesa Trail, I recommend taking a shuttle.
This is not the NPS shuttle. It’s a private hikers’ shuttle run by Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort and leaves from the resort. Call them to make a reservation. The Stave Spring Trailhead is their Castle Mountain drop-off, since it is also the starting point for the Caste Mountain hike.
➡️ You can book a stay at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort here
You can arrange a pickup time (the shuttle fee includes drop off and pick up). Or, if you do the East Mesa Trail as well, you can be picked up from the East Mesa Trailhead whenever you finish.
They have frequent pickups through the day in summer and there’s cell service at the East Mesa Trailhead so you can call for a pickup if the shuttle isn’t there when you arrive.
Tips for Hiking the East Rim Trail to Observation Point
This is a challenging hike that should only be undertaken by experienced hikers.
⚠️ Know how to read trail markers, especially rock caches.
⚠️ Take plenty of water and snacks. Most of the trail is exposed and there’s no water along the way.
⚠️ Tell someone where you are.
⚠️ Take a small first aid kit.
‼️ Get a lift there with Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort’s shuttle – the parking lot is small.
‼️ Consider doing this as a loop (with shuttle pick up and drop off at different points) by combining with East Mesa Trail.
‼️ Hiking poles are super helpful on this hike, because it is almost all up and down. These are the ones I use.
‼️ As I mention above, I also used a hiking umbrella and cooling neck towels (I hiked in August) and they definitely helped keep me cooler.
FAQS about Hiking to Observation Point, Zion Park
Is Observation Point Trail open?
The original Observation Point Trail that connected the Weeping Rock shuttle stop in the main Zion Canyon to Observation Point on the rim of the canyon is not open anymore. However, you can still get to Observation Point via the East Rim Trail and the East Mesa Trail.
Why is Observation Point in Zion closed?
The main trail to Observation Point Zion closed in 2019 due to a massive rockslide near the bottom of the trail. However, you can still get there via the East Rim Trail and the East Mesa Trail.
When will Observation Point Trail reopen?
The NPS has not announced any intended opening date for the main Observation Point Trail. Rangers have told me informally that it will likely be years, if ever, before it reopens.
How long does it take to hike Observation Point, Zion?
If you’re hiking on the East Rim Trail to Observation Point from the Stave Spring Trailhead, it takes about 3.5 hours (one way).
What is the best time of day to visit Observation Point?
Generally late afternoon is the best time to visit Observation Point.
How difficult is Observation Point, Zion?
The hike to Observation Point on the East Rim Trail is challenging (but awesome). The hike to Observation Point on the East Mesa Trail is moderate (but less interesting).
Do you need a permit to hike Observation Point Zion?
No, you don’t need a permit to Observation Point in Zion National Park.
Is an Observation Point worth it?
Yes, Observation Point is absolutely worth it. It’s the most spectacular view in Zion National Park, and possibly all of Utah.
Where to start an Observation Point hike?
Because the original trail is blocked by a large rockslide, there are three places to start a hike to Observation Point. You can start a hike on the East Rim Trail from either the East Rim Trailhead or the Stave Spring Trailhead. You can also start the hike to Observation Point on the East Mesa Trail from the East Mesa Trailhead.
Can you see Angels Landing from Observation Point?
Yes. Observation Point is more than 700 feet higher than Angels Landing. You have a bird’s eye view of Angels Landing from Observation Point as you look down the length of Zion Canyon.
Which is better, Observation Point or Angel Landing?
In my opinion, the view from Observation Point is better than the view from Angels Landing. You actually look down on Angels Landing from Observation Point and have an even more expansive and extended view of Zion Canyon.
How hard is the East Rim Trail?
The East Rim Trail is a challenging trail that should only be undertaken by experienced hikers with a good level of fitness.
How long is the East Rim Trail?
The entire trail is 10.8 miles (one way). However, the section from Stave Spring Trailhead to Observation Point is 4.7 miles (one way).
Travel Insurance
When you do hikes like this, you should definitely get travel insurance. This can protect you not only against medical and emergency repatriation, but can also cover things like trip cancellation, loss and/ or theft of property, etc. However, not all insurance policies cover hiking, so make sure that yours does.
➡️ A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here or get a quote right now:
Enjoy the hike!
More Planning Resources for Zion National Park
⭐ Zion National Park Guide
⭐ Zion Itineraries
⭐ 12 Tips For Visiting Zion National Park
⭐ 7 Mistakes to Avoid
⭐ How Many Days in Zion National Park?
⭐ Best Hikes in Zion National Park
⭐ How To Get Angels Landing Permits
⭐ Hiking The Narrows In Zion National Park
⭐ Best Things To Do In Zion National Park
⭐ Canyoneering In Zion National Park
⭐ Best Photo Spots in Zion National Park
⭐ How To Get To Zion National Park
⭐ Zion Shuttle Service Guide
⭐ How to visit Zion Without Using the Shuttle
⭐ The Airports closest to Zion National Park
⭐ The Closest Airport to Zion National Park
⭐ The Best Time of Year to Visit Zion National Park
⭐ Visiting Zion Throughout the Year
⭐ 12 Fun Facts About Zion National Park
⭐ Best Books About Zion National Park
⭐ Best Vacation Rentals Near Zion National Park
⭐ Planning a Trip to Zion National Park
Do you have any tips for hiking this trail, or questions about it? I’d love to hear about them. Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know (you can also pick up extra planning tips, share your photos and stories with other national park lovers and more).
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About the Author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
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