Sand Bench Trail

Sand Bench Trail climbs onto a massive sandy landslide that dammed the Virgin River roughly 8,000 years ago, backing up a lake that once reached all the way to Angels Landing. Today it's a 5.7-mile loop with moderate, steady climbing and wide views over the south end of the canyon.

Details worth knowing

• Trailheads sit at the Zion Lodge shuttle stop and the Court of the Patriarchs stop; during shuttle season (roughly spring through fall) private vehicles can't drive to either.
• This is a shared hiking-and-horse trail — commercial horseback rides run seasonally, so expect to share the sandy tread with stock.
• There's little shade and no water source on the bench itself, so it runs hot in summer.

It draws far fewer hikers than the Narrows or Angels Landing, which makes it a good option if you want canyon views without the crowds.