Zion National Park is full of trails that offer amazing views. Some of these trails are more on the strenuous side like Angels Landing but others are much more manageable (and still come with fantastic views). The Zion Canyon Overlook Trail is one of these trails and in this article I’ll tell you everything you need to know about it.
Zion Canyon Overlook Trail Overview
Highlights on this trail include amazing views of Pine Creek Canyon/ Zion Canyon, unique canyon features, and a couple of moderately challenging passes.
This is definitely a hike on the easier side and for the most part suited for people of all fitness levels.
If you have a serious fear of heights you may find a couple of points a bit uncomfortable but the railings give you an added layer of security, so it’s not so bad.
- Distance: 1 mile
- Elevation Gain: 163 feet
- Route Type: Out and back
- Pets: No
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Time needed: 1 hour
Getting to the trailhead
Coming from the east entrance of Zion National Park, you will follow along Highway 9 and you will be looking for parking just before you enter the long tunnel. (Don’t get this tunnel confused with the shorter tunnel that is more to the east.)
There is a small parking lot dedicated to this trailhead but there is a good chance it will be filled up when you visit. (If that is the case, you can find parking on the side of the road nearby.)
We noticed that there were some no parking signs but many vehicles were parked on the pull outs despite that and it didn’t seem like it was an issue but proceed with caution.
From the parking lot, there is a sidewalk/shoulder you can walk on so you don’t have to step out on the road. The parking lot is about 500 feet from the trailhead so before you know it you’ll be hitting the trail.
Trail conditions
This trail is pretty easy to follow and it’s well maintained. You’ll be hiking over a variety of rocky steps, slick rock, narrow walkways, and sandy paths.
There is definitely some exposure on this trail but you have the benefit of railing throughout most of it.
Route description
As soon as you make your way past the trailhead, you will begin an incline. As you start to gain a little bit of elevation, there are some rails to help you out.
You’ll then be hiking along the canyon ledge but you have the security of the railing to keep you safe.
The path then turns and takes you along the canyon wall as you encounter vegetation like pinyon pine and juniper. Bighorn sheep can also be spotted in this area of the park although the only wildlife we saw were a couple of chipmunks.
To your left, you’ll see an interesting slot canyon at the bottom of Pine Creek which looks like a place that you would not want to fall into.
A lot of people have probably never even seen a slot canyon before so this can be a cool site in and of itself. You can only imagine what it might look like when a flash flood is raging down there!
As you continue to hug the canyon wall, you’ll have more railing to guide you along the way. This trail can get pretty busy and some of the walkways are not very wide so be prepared to navigate through oncoming traffic.
You’ll soon come to a bridge with wooden planks which may feel a little bit suspect but once you are walking across it, you’ll realize it’s actually a pretty sturdy structure (creaking aside).
Just be sure to watch your head if you are tall because the rock overhangs are pretty low.
At this point, there’s a cool alcove area that you can enjoy some shade in if it is hot out.
Directly after this, there will be a pretty narrow path you need to cross which I think is the most difficult point of the hike. If there has been some rain or snow, you might encounter a couple of wet spots on it so be a little bit careful with your footing if that is the case.
Next, you’ll be moving along through more slick rock with a bit of exposure.
It’s not that bad but we did notice some people moving pretty slowly through this area because it could be treacherous if you lost your balance.
Then you just need to continue to follow the path and eventually you will see the overlook where there will likely be a crowd of people already waiting.
Take a look at the interpretive panel and you will get a sense of the magnificent canyon scenery you are looking at. You’ll notice that some of these cliffs stand at elevations over 7,000 feet which is pretty incredible.
The views from the overlook are great but you can also scramble up on some of the rocks nearby and enjoy a little bit more solitude as you take in the view.
Take a look to your left and you can see the openings from the tunnel that runs right through the canyon wall.
Many people prefer to visit this hike to catch the sunset, which could be a cool experience (just be ready for crowds). Also, this area can get pretty windy so make sure that you have an outer layer to protect against the wind/cold.
Final word
Overall, the Zion Canyon Overlook Trail is a perfect trail for someone looking for something short but with great views and some moderately challenging terrain.