Zion National Park – The Sand Bench Trail

Introduction:

What? :

While the majority of visitors to Zion National Park spend their time fighting for a spot on the shuttle to reach the Narrows or Angels Landing, there is a quieter side of the canyon that many overlook.

The Sand Bench Trail is a classic example of a "hidden in plain sight" adventure. Located right in the heart of the main canyon, this trail offers a perspective that most tourists only see from the windows of a moving bus.

The trail takes you up onto a massive landslide bench that was formed thousands of years ago when a portion of the western canyon wall collapsed.

Today, it serves as a high plateau that places you directly at the feet of the most iconic peaks in the park. If you are looking for a hike where you can experience the silence of the desert and stand in the literal shadow of giants, this is the path to choose.

Overall with the loop hike this is 4 mile long hike with 720ft of elevation gain.

Plan for about 2-3 hours for this hike.

Where? :

Zion National Park is situated in southwestern Utah, positioned near the town of Springdale at the intersection of the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert.

The primary artery for reaching the park and its main hub is Utah State Route 9. Travelers typically reach the Zion Canyon Visitor Center through the South Entrance, which is located immediately adjacent to Springdale.

Those approaching from the east follow the same highway along the Zion-Mount Carmel route, a scenic drive that winds through high-elevation slickrock and passes through the historic Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel before descending to the canyon floor.

Travel Time and Milage to Zion Visitor Center:

Salt Lake City, UT: 4 hours 23 minutes, 308 miles

Las Vegas, NV: 2 hours 39 minutes, 160 miles

St Gorge, UT: 1 hour, 42 miles

Bryce Canyon: 1 hour and 50 minutes, 82 miles

Kanab, UT: 1 hour, 41 miles

Page, AZ: 2 hours 20 minutes, 116 miles

The Sand Bench trailhead is located at Shuttle Stop #4, Court of the Patriarchs. Get off and cross the road in the direction of the river to start your hike.

When? :

Zion National Park is open year-round.

Spring and fall are the preferred time to visit here.

In summer temperatures are about 100f during mid-day so plan accordingly.

Summer months visiting here may be disappointing. You can have very low levels or no water in the waterfall or even the pool.

Spring snow melting runoff enlarges the streams and creates dramatic waterfalls.

Try to start your hike early in the morning or late afternoon, evaluate the trail climbing difficulty and your hiking ability, bring enough water with you, snacks and light food, as well use sunscreen, wear a hat, sunglasses and long sleeves.

Summer also is the most crowded time of the year, Zion gets several hundreds of thousands of visitors every month, this creates a lot of loads on the shuttle system and trail congestion and overcrowded locations. The beauty of this trail is that it is not as crowded as other park trails.

Winter months are cold, the night temperatures can be below freezing, and the days are around 40-60f.

You might find snow and ice on trails.

One of the many benefits of hiking in Zion National Park is that its canyon elevation is not high (4,000-6,000ft), and most trails are doable year-round, thanks to the typically mild weather.

Additional related Blogs:

Tips and inputs:

Due note 1:

Zion National Park enter pass costs $35 per vehicle. This pass will cover your visits to Zion for one week.

If you want you can buy a year pass for all US National Parks, that will cost you $80.

No need to pay or reserve the free park shuttle.

Due note 2:

Restrooms are available at the trailhead (Court of the Patriarchs, stop #4 on the Zion Shuttle).

Cell reception is very limited.

Due note 3:

Sunset (Highly Recommended): This is the best time for photographers. The setting sun hits the Towers of the Virgin across the canyon, turning them a deep, glowing orange.

Due note 4:

Because of the location (first stop into the canyon) the trail is not overcrowded and you will be rewarded by the view to the canyon opening.

Due note 5:

The trail gets the mid-day sun and during summer months this can be very hot, in the early morning it is still shade by the cliffs.

Due note 6:

No need for a shuttle ride to do this hike.

My thoughts:

This is a fun hike, not too long but it involves some climbing and walking in sandy sections. The view west from the top into the canyon opening is impressive and a major other plus is that you will probably be the only one here, away from the crowd.

The Hike: Walking the Landslide Bench

1. The River Crossing and the Climb

The hike begins at the Court of the Patriarchs shuttle stop. You will cross the road and walk past the lower viewing area before crossing a bridge over the Virgin River.

For the first half mile, the trail is relatively flat as it winds through the riverside vegetation. Soon, the trail begins its steady climb up the side of the ancient landslide.

This is where you first encounter the deep sand. The climb is not steep, but the soft surface makes every step a workout for your calves.

2. Reaching the Bench

As you crest the top of the climb, the terrain flattens out into a wide, sandy plateau known as the "bench." You are now standing on the debris of a massive rockfall that happened over 4,000 years ago.

From this elevated position, you are perfectly positioned between the canyon walls. To your left, the sheer face of The Sentinel towers over the trail, and to your right, you look down on the shuttle road and the river.

3. The Court of the Patriarchs Loop

The trail forms a large loop on top of the bench.

As you walk the northern section of the loop, you will be standing directly at the base of the "Three Patriarchs," Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

These massive sandstone peaks look completely different from this angle than they do from the road below. You can see the intricate textures of the rock and the small hanging gardens that cling to the crevices high above.

4. The Streaked Wall and the Descent

Continuing the loop toward the south, you will have a front row view of the Streaked Wall.

This is one of the most impressive rock faces in Zion, known for the dark "desert varnish" streaks that create a vertical painting of black and orange.

The silence on this back section of the loop is incredible, as the bench acts as a sound barrier from the shuttle traffic below.

After completing the loop, you will retrace your steps back down the sandy slope toward the river and the shuttle stop.

Final Thoughts:

The Sand Bench Trail is not a hike for those in a hurry. It is a slow, meditative walk through deep sand that demands your full attention. While it doesn't offer the terrifying heights of Angels Landing, it provides a sense of scale that is hard to find elsewhere.

Standing on the bench, surrounded by the most famous mountains in the park with only the sound of the wind for company, is a true Zion experience.

Additional Pictures: