Introduction:
What? :
Observation Point is considered one of the most impressive hiking trails in Zion National Park. The trail leads to a high viewpoint offering a stunning panoramic view of the entire Zion Canyon and of the famous Angels Landing — but from a higher and more unique angle .
Observation Point is a dramatic sandstone lookout towering over 2,100 feet above the Zion canyon floor of the Virgin River below.
As of now, due to the closure of the Weeping Rock trailhead, you can only reach this spectacular viewpoint via the East Mesa Trail, which starts from the east, outside the main park boundary.
There are 2 hiking options that lead to Observation Point:
East Mesa Trailhead - shorter (7 miles) with 700ft of elevation gain, about 3-4 hours hike.
Stave Spring Trailhead - longer (10 miles) and much more challenging with 2,800ft of elevation gain, about 5-7 hours hike.
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Where? :
The “old” traditional route to get here was from the Weeping Rock trailhead. This trail is currently closed due to a major rockfall that destroyed the lower section of the trail.
Today the only way now is starting from the most park’s east side.
I do recommend using google map direction to reach the trailhead.
The trailhead to this hike is practically outside of the park boundaries.
You need to drive out of the park's east entrance-point, drive past Co-op Cafe (on your left) and after 2.5 miles you will reach a large traffic circle, turn left here into SN Frk Rd.
East Mesa Trailhead:
Drive 8 miles on this road, the road turns into a well maintained dirt road, drive until you will reach the hike trailhead parking.
Stave Spring Trailhead:
After driving 6 miles on SN Frk Rd you will see on your left turn into a well maintained dirt road.
Turn left and immediately right at the fork, follow the signs directing to the trailhead and do not get into private roads. At the end you will reach a small parking lot, this is the trailhead.
When? :
Zion National Park is open year-round.
The recommended time for this hike is during Spring and fall. The mild temps and clear skies are perfect for this hike.
Summer is extremely hot so I recommend doing this hike early in the morning. later the afternoon the sun may block the view so morning are better option.
Winter can be cold and may bring ice or snow on the road and trail.
Due note 1:
No matter which trail you are taking, this is a long hike. Bring 3–5 liters of water per person, sun protection, good hiking shoes and a hat.
For most of the day much of the hike will be in full sun.
Due note 2:
No restrooms or water in the trailhead.
Due note 3:
The trail passes through remote areas of the park, you will probably won't see anyone else so make sure to come prepared.
Due note 4:
Because the trailhead is outside the park you do not need to pay to get here or you do not need to use the subtle service.
Due note 5:
Pets are not permitted on any trails in the National Park.
Due note 6:
There are no campgrounds in this section of the park. Check about backcountry camping in the visitor center.
Due note 7:
Limited to no cellphone service along the hike, there is some reception at the observation point itself.
Due note 8:
During winter months (rain, snow) or after summer rainstorms the road leading to the trailheads can be muddy and challenging to drive on.
Due note 9:
You can’t access via this trail any downhill path to the lower Zion canyon area. Echo Canyon trail that was leading to Weeping Rock is close.
Due note 10:
Stave Spring Trailhead is also the starting point to Cable Mountain.
My thoughts:
I visited Zion National Park many times in the past but I did not hike to this point, mainly because its trailhead is in a remote location outside the park. Now that I did this hike I know for sure I will do it again because this is a fun hike that takes you to the best view in Zion National park.
An additional big plus to this hike is that unlike the always crowded Zion canyon hikes here you will see only a few other hikes.
I recommend not doing this hike during the hot season, especially the Stave Spring Trail that involves steep canyon ascents.
We visited here during mid-summer and it was VERY hot (100f) and not such a “fun” walk. We took it slow, rested and drank a lot especially when climbing out up from the canyon.
The Hike:
When we came to hike here, Aug 2025, we decided that we wanted to do the longer and more challenging route. I will provide here detailed information on the hike from Stave Spring Trailhead.
The hike starts at the small parking lot in the tall pine forest. There is a clear sign marking the trailhead.
After a short hike down the trail it gets out of the pine forest into a large open brush field.
The trail head to the left and after 0.5 mile from the trail head you will see a clear torn to the right, you need to take it. If you keep walking straight you can reach Stave Spring Trailhead.
Here you will see a clear sign indicating the Echo Canyon trail closure, do not worry, the trail leading to the viewing point is open.
After a short hike you will cross the flat open area and you will turn slightly left where the trail is following the cliff edge of the canyon on your left. There are a few nice open view points of the canyon below and the opening to the main Zion canyon.
Keep walking and after 1.3 miles from TH you will reach the point where the trail starts steep descent into the deep river gorge.
The trail follows some slopes and with few switchbacks and downhill sections it reaches the bottom of the canyon and crosses the dry river bed.
The trail follows the lower section of the creek on its far side, crossing several side creeks and climbing small rocky sections.
After 2.9 miles from the trail starting point you will reach a trail junction, this is the connection with the close Echo Canyon trail and you must turn right.
From this point starts the steep section of the climb.
The trail finds its way up in a side gully where sections of the trail path are curved out of the rocky cliffs.
Looks like it was a lot of work to curve out this trail from the granite surface.
The trail switchbacks are going up for about 1 mile of hiking. As you climb up the view opens up and when the trail heading to the west the view to the other side of Zion canyon is revealed.
The last section of the climb follows a red rock lair all the way to the open of the flat area. At this point you will reach a trail junction, 4.3 miles from TH. This is the East Mesa trail and here you need to turn left.
From here it is only a short 0.4 mile following the flat area heading to the view point that is located at the far cliff edge of the table mountain.
The viewpoint offers an incredible 270-degree view of Zion’s main canyon, the Virgin River, and all the mountains surrounding it. The panoramic view is a true reward for the effort of the hike.
Here is the perfect place to rest, light snack and drink and just enjoy the view below you.
Because this is not an overcrowded hike, as many other Zion hikes, most probably you will be the only one here.
Looks like the best time to visit here is early morning because at midday you can have the sun and haze reducing visibility. We were here at 2pm on a summer day and it was not the best photography conditions but the view was amazing.
After your rest this is the time to head back on the same trail.
Do not forget to turn left and go down to the direction of Stave Spring Trailhead.
This time you are walking down the steep trail and you can appreciate more the way they created the trail, the curving section from the granite wall.
You will reach the lower section in the deep creek, cross it and start to climb the other side.
Once you reach the upper level on the other side you are almost done, short walk and you are back in the parking lot TH.
Overall this was a 10 miles hike with a total of 2,800ft of elevation gain and it took us exactly 6 hours with few long rests along the hike.
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