Epic Travel → North America → Mountain States → Utah →  Zion National Park → Observation Point

♦ Intrepid Top Pick!

Location: Zion Main Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah

Distance: 8 miles (roundtrip)

Elevation Gain: 2100 feet

Time Required: 4-6 hours

Red Tape/Notes: The park is open 24 hours a day; park passes are $30 per vehicle and are valid for 7 days. The trail is most easily accessed from the Zion Canyon Shuttle, stop #7 (Weeping Rock Trailhead), although the hike is somewhat shorter and most definitely flatter from the East Mesa Trailhead if you’re willing to drive out there (or better yet, are already in the area to do Mystery Canyon)

What’s Nearby?: The Narrows (Bottom Up), Riverside Walk, Weeping Rock, Hidden Canyon, Echo Canyon, Emerald Pools, Angel’s Landing, Mystery Canyon

I’m going to be honest – we didn’t do this from Weeping Rock. We cheated and did it as a side trip on our way to Mystery Canyon from the East Mesa Trailhead – the total additional time was maybe an hour, which was a definite win considering this trail is worth doing from Weeping Rock, even with the 4-6 hour time commitment. From Weeping Rock take the paved trail, following junction signs for Observation Point and continue hiking up – you’ll pass the spur for Hidden Canyon and the split with the East Rim Trail (which leads to the start of Echo Canyon), and keep continuing up. The trail levels out for the last mile, and eventually you’ll come to the mother of all views. It’s nice up here. And hey, it’s all downhill on the way back, so you have nothing but joy ahead of you. Unless you have rubbish knees, and then I’m terribly sorry.

Epic Travel → North America → Mountain States → Utah →  Zion National Park → Observation Point