The Ultimate Southwest Vacation includes Zion National Park, Utah!
Stay in Mount Carmel Junction, the heart of the parks, and
visit the treasures of the Southwest.
Zion Park 12 miles
Grand Staircase 9 miles
Sand Dunes 11 miles
Dixie Forest 22 miles
Cedar Breaks 45 miles
Red Canyon 47 miles
Coyote Butte 57 miles
Bryce Canyon 60 miles
North Rim 85 miles
Toroweap 90 miles
Plan your Zion National Park Vacation with our Utah Maps and
Information
In these pages you will find insiders information on Zion National
Park lodging, adventures and hikes. This detailed guide includes road maps, park
maps, pictures, trail beta, backpacking, history, fees, geology, flora, fauna,
campgrounds, things for kids to do and even information on Zion's hidden treasures.
Making summer memories in the Utah National Parks and National
Monuments.
Directions to Zion National Park From Salt Lake City: Travel I-15 south, past Beaver.
Exit on Hwy 20. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take U-9 to Zion's east
entrance. From Arizona: Travel 89A through Fredonia, Arizona
and Kanab Utah. Follow US-89 to to Mount Carmel Junction. Take U-9 to the east
park entrance. From Las Vegas: Travel I-15 north. Take exit 16 and
travel through Hurricane. Make a right on U-9 at the second traffic light in
LaVerkin. Continue on U-9 to the south entrance of the park. U-9 through Zion
National Park is always open and is also called the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway.
The Canyon Overlook Trail is located at the east side of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. In view from left to right is the Sundial, Altar of Sacrifice, Beehives, Stained Wall and the East Temple is seen on the far right. The switchbacks and Pine Creek are found below. To the far left, not shown in the photo, is the West Temple and Bridge Mountain.The east side of the park is set at a higher elevation so the trek to this high elevation view point is an easy and fun one.
Beta: Coordinates and other trail and canyoneering information
by Zion Park search and rescue veteran team member Bo
Beck and www.zionnational-park.com author Tanya Milligan.
To post trip reports, offer corrections, updates, or for more
information please visit the Zion
National Park Forum
Suggested
Gear: A sturdy pair of shoes are recommend to hike the trails in Zion National
Park. Many quality shoes will help grip the rocks and prevent injury. Experienced
Zion hikers and canyoneers like the La Sportiva Exum Ridge. This shoe is great
for hiking, bouldering and canyoneering.
Canyon Overlook Trail
This is a fun hike that ends in a glorious view of lower Zion Canyon and follows a path along Pine Creek Canyon and the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. If you are looking for a high elevation viewpoint, but do not want to endure a grueling trail like Observation Point, then the Canyon Overlook Trail is ideal. The trailhead for Canyon Overlook is located immediately east of the 1.1 mile long tunnel.The trail begins with stone steps, carved into sandstone, that climb high above the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Towering sandstone cliffs loom in the distance.
Canyon Overlook at a Glance
Photo Album: Canyon Overlook Pictures
Map: Canyon Overlook Map
Map: Zion Backcountry Map
Day Hike: Yes Distance: 1 mile round trip Average Hiking Time: 1 hour round trip Difficulty: Easy for most adults, moderate for kids. There are some exposed cliffs, but this is a good family trail. Sun Exposure: Full sun in most places. Permits: Not required. Trail Conditions: Well maintained. Most of the trail is on sandstone with some packed dirt sections. This hike is tolerable during the hottest parts of the day, but it is best enjoyed in the morning or late evenings. Sand on the trails may make it slippery. Do not hike this trail if it is wet, raining or lightening. Trailhead: Immediately east of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel Trailend: Same as trailhead Trail Access: Year round access. The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Elevation Gain: 163', which is a moderately, easy climb. Peak: 5300' Restrooms: Vault restrooms are located at the trailhead.
Follow the steps up the Canyon Overlook Trail, located by the ranger booth on the east side of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Below the Canyon Overlook Trail is a long, curvy slit in the rock. This is Pine Creek. If you hear voices from the area, look for a rope which might be seen for a short time before it is pulled from view. Pine Creek is a favorite rappel area for slot canyon enthusiasts. The Canyon Overlook Trail continues along a dirt path to a charming alcove adorned with maidenhair fern. Kids will enjoy playing there and resting beneath the cool, shady overhang. Water seepage supplies the fern and other flora with needed water. A recessed rock fall area is located shortly after the alcove. There is a rock fall in Zion National Park every day, but they are usually small and rarely witnessed. Most of the falling sandstone explodes or vaporizes on impact. The trail will climb among slick rock hoodoos, which are seen in just about every direction. The huge East Temple and other mountains are seen along the hike. On the opposite side of the trail, ravens often soar and caw. The small window of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel is noticeable from this part of the trail. There is a short section where the path winds closely along the cliff edge and children should be watched carefully.
At the end of the Canyon Overlook Trail
The trail continues to a mound of slickrock that hides the trails end. From the top of the mound the sight is breathtaking. Walking closer to the fenced edge gives an impressive view below. To the left are hoodoos, to the right is the East Temple. Hikers often sit among the nest of hoodoos at the end of the trail gazing down into lower Zion Canyon at the twists and turns of the Zion switchbacks. Straight ahead is an impressive show of Zion National Park landmarks. The large crown of rounded sandstone is an eye catcher. This tuft of temple cap is the white turbines of the Beehives. Zion monoliths are displayed in hues of red and white, crowded around the stark white beehives. The tallest cliff in the main section of Zion National Park is the West Temple which frames this view on the left. To the right of the West Temple are the Towers of the Virgin and the Streaked Wall. This is an excellent family hike.
Best Trail Features: Access without getting on the shuttle makes this great for families. The impressive high elevation views of lower Zion Canyon including the switchbacks, Beehives, West Temple, East Temple, Towers of the Virgin, Streaked Wall are stupendous. There are lots of hoodoos and wild flowers along the trail that make it fun for kids.
Note: When hiking in Zion National Park stay on established trails to protect yourself and the delicate desert environment. Never get at the edge of a cliff. Sandstone can be slippery.
