East Rim Trail. Zion, Utah.

10.2 mile hike from East Rim Trailhead to Observation Point overlooking Zion Canyon.


The trail head is just inside the East Entrance gate. There are about ten parking spots and usually there will be space available.

The ground is sandy in many places. As you hike toward the canyon, the terrain becomes progressively more challenging. The first leg takes you around a mountain to the top of Jolley Gulch. It is arid and hot.

The middle section is a narrow strip through tall grass past Stave Spring to the canyon mountain. A series of steep narrow switchbacks in the bare hot sun takes you down into a valley. Climbing these in the bare hot sun on the way back is a tough challenge!

As you make your way around the valley and up the mountain, the trail becomes less readable going over flat rock sections. Look for cairns (stacked piles of small rocks) to find the way. Pay attention to footprints in the sand as well. If the sand looks untouched, you probably went the wrong way.

The trail forks to Echo Canyon. There's a nice view of Echo Canyon just about a half mile in.

The climb to Observation Point is a series of grueling switchbacks. Views of the canyon from here are breathtaking. I prefer the views here over those at Observation Point.

After the climb, there's an anticlimactic stretch of about 0.7 miles to the end. There will be more people on this path, coming from the East Mesa Trail to the northeast.

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