How to Hike to Observation Point for Jaw-Dropping Views of Zion

The view from Observation Point is awe-inspiring. It’s arguably the best view you can get in Zion National Park, which is saying a lot, because there is no shortage of spectacular views from the hiking trails and scenic drives. From Observation Point, not only do you get an incredible view of Zion canyon, but you can also look down at the spine of Angel’s Landing.

Getting here is not so exciting.

A more thrilling trail, which started at the Weeping Rock trailhead, once connected the Zion canyon and the shuttle route to Observation Point. We hiked this trail in 2017, two years before the Weeping Rock Trail closed due to a massive rockfall in 2019.

Now, hikers can get to Observation Point via the East Mesa Trailhead. This trailhead sits outside of Zion National Park and takes a bit of work and planning to get to. It is a less exciting hike to get to Observation Point, but still well worth it, as the view is truly extraordinary.

Our most recent hike to Observation Point was in May 2025. In this guide, we will cover updated information, including:

How to get to the East Mesa Trailhead
A trail guide for the East Mesa Trail to Observation Point
An alternative route to Observation Point
A few photos from the Weeping Rock Trailhead

Table of Contents

How to Get to the East Mesa Trailhead

Getting to the trailhead is the toughest part of the hike. You can either park at one of the very limited parking spaces next to the trailhead or ride the shuttle operated by East Zion Adventures. Either way, you will first have to get to Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort.

From Springdale, it is a 45-minute drive to Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. This time estimate does not allow for any additional time in traffic backups or lines at the Zion park entrance gate. The road is paved the entire way and Google Maps is a good source for directions (we also have the driving route marked on our map, which you can see later in this guide). Be aware that cellular service is spotty the closer you get to the ranch.

From the ranch, there are two options for getting to the trailhead:

#1 Drive and Park at the Trailhead

From Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort, it is a 3-mile, unpaved road to the trailhead, which takes roughly 15 minutes. This road can be very muddy and if it has recently rained, can be impassable to most vehicles. We recommend checking AllTrails to read reports about recent road conditions.

We drove to the trailhead (the shuttle did not operate the day we did this because they stated conditions were too muddy). It rained every afternoon for a few days before we did this hike, making the road muddy. We were in a Volkswagen Atlas and had no trouble getting down the road, but the road is very rutted and could be tough for a standard car in these conditions.

I read reports (on AllTrails) where standard cars got stuck in the mud, and no one could leave or enter, until a tow truck could pull them out.

Here is a photo of the road, but in reality, the photo does not capture just how rutted and muddy the road really was.

There are roughly 20 parking spaces next to the trailhead. Once these fill (which is generally around 9 am…we got here at 7:30 am and we were the 2^nd vehicle), you will either have to wait for a space to open or drive back to the ranch and take the shuttle. There is no parking alongside the road, since the road is just wide enough for one vehicle. Illegally parked vehicles can be towed.

#2 Take the Shuttle

East Zion Adventures offers a shuttle service to the trailhead. They are located at the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort.

This is a great option for those with a standard vehicle, those who do not feel comfortable driving a rough, dirt road, and those who plan to start the hike later in the morning, once all of the parking spaces will be filled.

Be aware that the shuttle does not run when the road is muddy, which happened on the day we did this hike.

The shuttle starts operating at 8 am and runs every 30 minutes. It only holds 12 people, so make your reservation in advance. It drops people off 0.5 miles before the trailhead, so using the shuttle adds about 1 mile onto the hike.

Make your reservation in advance and get more information on the official website.

Map of the Driving & Hiking Route

Below is a map of the driving route from Springdale to the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort, the driving route from the ranch to the East Mesa Trailhead, and the hiking trail to Observation Point.

How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left corner of the map to see a list of the points of interest and to turn layers on/off. Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest.

To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.

How to Hike to Observation Point

Step-By-Step Guide from the East Mesa Trailhead

Hiking Stats

From the East Mesa Trailhead, it is an out-and-back hike to Observation Point. Here are the stats.

Distance: 6.8 miles (11.0 km) roundtrip
Total Ascent: 775 feet (235 meters)
Lowest Elevation: 6,460 feet (1,970 meters)
Highest Elevation: 6,790 feet (2,070 meters)
Time: 3 to 4 hours (3.5 hours hiking and 30 minutes at Observation Point); we did the hike in 3 hours, which includes 40 minutes at Observation Point

This elevation profile makes the trail look deceptively hilly. Over the course of 3 miles, you will only ascend 300 feet, which is a gradual, uphill walk.

East Mesa Trail

For most of this hike, you will be on the East Mesa Trail. Note: National Park Service maps name this trail the East Mesa Trail and Google Maps labels it as the East Rim Trail.

One advantage of this route, over the route that started from Weeping Rock, is that the East Mesa Trail is much flatter and easier, and just a bit shorter.

For most of its length, the East Mesa Trail runs through a forest of ponderosa pines and low shrubs. It’s a pretty walk, but lacks any great views of the canyon, for about the first 2/3 of the trail. It’s a steady, gradual uphill walk for the first 2.5 miles of the trail.

When we hiked this trail, it was early May and for several days before our visit, there were afternoon rain showers that made the trail and the road to get here muddy. It is thick, muddy clay which really clings to hiking shoes and makes them very heavy. If it has rained recently, be prepared for similar conditions.

At roughly 2.5 miles into the hike, the trail starts to head downhill. This can be steep in some spots, and on the return hike, this will be the toughest part of the trail to hike.

At around this same point, you will also start to get views of the Zion canyon walls.

About 0.4 miles before reaching Observation Point, the trail will split. Stay right to continue to Observation Point. The trail to the left leads to Weeping Rock and the East Rim Trailhead. A portion of this trail is open (you can hike to the East Rim Trailhead, but the trail that leads through Echo Canyon to Weeping Rock is closed), and after visiting Observation Point, you have the option to go exploring, which could be worth it for those with more time (see our photos later in this guide).

Trail to Observation Point

Observation Point

The trail ends at Observation Point. Enjoy the incredible view and take lots of photos!

On our most recent visit (May 2025) our experience here was awesome. Even with it being one of the busiest months of the year to visit Zion, we had Observation Point all to ourselves for 40 minutes.

We started the hike at 7:30 am, reached Observation Point at 8:45, and lingered here until 9:25, enjoying the view and taking lots of photos. We were amazed that no one joined us during this time span, although we saw quite a few people not long after leaving Observation Point.

Angels Landing

We had cellular service here, enough to send photos to Tyler and Kara and make them jealous they weren’t with us. But closer to the East Mesa Trailhead and parking lot, we did not have cellular service.

The Return Hike

To complete the hike, retrace your steps back to the parking lot. The first mile is the toughest, with a few uphill sections that could be muddy, but once you get through that, it is mostly a gradual, downhill walk.

And if you like, you can take the trail to the right at the trail split, if you want to explore more of the East Rim Trail.

Zion National Park

See all of our articles

Alternate Route to Observation Point

There is a second route to Observation Point. This hike starts at the East Rim Trailhead, which is next to the East Entrance Ranger Station on Zion – Mount Carmel Road. Getting here is much easier than getting to East Mesa Trailhead.

However, this is a much tougher hike. According to the National Park Service website, this hike is 10.6 miles with over 1,000 feet of elevation gain, one way. They advise setting aside 8 to 14 hours to do this hike, but fast hikers could do it quicker.

Weeping Rock Trail to Observation Point

This trail is currently closed due to a rockfall at the Weeping Rock Trailhead. The trail closed in 2019 and there is no prediction for when it will reopen.

We hiked to Observation Point via Weeping Rock in 2017. It is a tough but incredibly scenic trail, featuring lots of switchbacks and views of Echo Canyon and the Zion canyon.

Here are a few photos of the upper part of the trail, should you want to add on more of the East Rim Trail to your hike to Observation Point.

What to Bring on the Hike

Hiking Shoes. Hiking shoes are preferable, however, running shoes with good support and good traction are sufficient.

Water. Bring plenty of water, especially if you will be hiking midday or during the warmer months.

Sunscreen. There is a little bit of shade along parts of the trail, but for the most part, the trail can be sunny, especially out by Observation Point.

Hiking Gear Guide

Essential Hiking Gear: What Should You Bring on a Day Hike?

If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our Hiking Gear Guide. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails.

If you have any questions about how to hike to Observation Point, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information for Your Trip to Zion