If you are looking for an easy hike in Zion National Park with an amazing view, try Canyon Overlook Trail! The view is just as amazing as Angels Landing, but the trail is WAY easier. It’s only a mile round trip and takes less than 30 minutes!
Canyon Overlook Trail Hike in Zion National Park
The Canyon Overlook Trail is an easy hike that gives you an incredible view of Zion Valley. It is one of the few in the upper East Canyon. The trailhead starts right before the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel on Route 9, where there is a small parking lot.
Overview of the Hike
Length: 1-mile round trip
Elevation Change: About 100 feet, mostly level
Time: 30 minutes to an hour
Difficulty: easy, suitable for most
What to Expect on the Trail
The beginning part is really the steepest/most strenuous, its a series of stone steps that take you up the side of the road. The trail continues along through mostly shaded passes and fairly flat ground, while the canyon towers above.
Where there are drop-offs, most have railings and guardrails for safety, however, still exercise caution when hiking this trail.
We went in the morning for sunrise, and it was just beautiful to see the canyon starting to light up!
As we got closer to the overlook, the trail did get a little steeper, but nothing too strenuous at all.
View of Zion Canyon from Canyon Overlook Trail
Finally, you reach the Canyon Overlook! Towering 5,000 feet over the canyon floor, this overlook gives grand views of the Mount Carmel switchbacks, West Temple, the Streaked Wall, the Towers of the Virgins, and the Beehives.
The East Temple rises directly above the overlook and the Great Arch lies right below it, recessed into the cliff-face.
We went at sunrise, and the warm, golden light combined with the shadows was very dramatic. The shadows did cover some of the canyon, but the sun rises quickly and will light the whole valley up!
Sunset is beautiful too! My friend @sharewarephoto took my recommendation to do this hike and captured this incredible pic at sunset:
I’d highly recommend this trail to everyone, especially since it’s so quick and easy! We stayed at Zion Mountain Ranch, so we had to pass by this on the way into Zion National Park anyways, making it the perfect hike to start our day.
Have a question about this hike or visiting Zion National Park in general? Feel free to leave a comment below or send me a DM on Instagram!
Related Posts:
- 10 Things Not to Miss in Zion Canyon
- Best Place to Stay Near Zion National Park: Zion Mountain Ranch
- What to Expect Hiking the Narrows in Zion
xx Chels
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