Observation Point

Best Time to Hike Observation Point

Fall (September through October) is the most favorable window — temperatures are moderate, the mesa terrain is dry underfoot, and the canyon views benefit from clearer air and lower sun angles. Spring brings cooler conditions but snowmelt can make portions of the approach wet or muddy in March and early April. Summer hiking is possible in the early morning hours, but the East Mesa offers less shade than canyon-bottom routes and heat builds quickly on exposed sections by mid-morning in July and August. Monsoon season from July through September also raises flash flood risk in the canyon bottoms visible from the viewpoint; check conditions before heading out. Winter visits require preparation for cold temperatures and potential snow or ice on the mesa.

Trail Tips for Observation Point

• Because this trailhead sits outside the main park shuttle corridor, you are committing to a longer round trip with no mid-point bailout option via shuttle — plan your turnaround time before you start.
• The mesa terrain is firm and generally well-graded, making standard hiking boots appropriate; the distance demands footwear you can cover 10 miles in comfortably.
• Cell service is limited throughout much of Zion, and the East Mesa trailhead is particularly remote — download offline maps and the NPS Zion trail information before leaving the main canyon area.
• The viewpoint rim is exposed with significant drop-offs; use caution near edges, particularly if the ground is wet from recent weather or morning frost.

Getting There

Because the traditional Weeping Rock trailhead is closed due to rockfall, Observation Point is currently accessed via the East Mesa Trail, which requires a separate drive of roughly 40 minutes from Zion Canyon's main area to reach the trailhead. This approach does not connect to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive or the canyon shuttle system — you will need a vehicle to reach the East Mesa starting point. The drive involves leaving the main park corridor and reaching the trailhead from the east side. Check nps.gov/zion for current road conditions and trailhead access details before your trip, as conditions on the approach can change seasonally.

What to Expect on Observation Point Trail

The East Mesa Trail to Observation Point offers a notably different character than canyon wall ascent routes. The approach travels across an elevated mesa, moving through open terrain before arriving at the rim viewpoint. Walking here is less technical than switchback-heavy canyon climbs, but the approximately 10-mile round trip demands sustained effort and good pacing. At the viewpoint, the destination is a 2,148-foot drop to the canyon floor below — a perspective that places the entire length of Zion Canyon in view at once, with the Virgin River visible as a thin ribbon far beneath. The sandstone cliffs form a broad amphitheater below, and the scale of the canyon becomes fully apparent only from this height. Unlike trails that put you inside the canyon walls, this route puts you above them, looking down on formations that seem much smaller from this elevation.