Shelf Canyon Trail

A short and sweet little hike in a popular area of Zion, the Shelf Canyon hike is a great way to explore a piece of Zion, just off of the highway. Fair warning: the trail down to slot canyon is not obviously marked and can be a bit tricky to find. The path itself also requires some light scrambling over boulders so it may not be the best hike for folks with mobility issues or families with very young children. Good footwear is also required. There are so many interesting hikes to be done in this area of Zion, and the Shelf Canyon is a short and easy trail to add to your list.

The Shelf Canyon is the first prominent canyon east of the Canyon Overlook Trail on the north side of route 9. The Trailhead for this hike can be tricky to find. Head over to the restrooms right by the sign that reads “Canyon Overlook Trailhead”. The path down to Shelf Canyon is a small trail just behind the restrooms that looks like it leads into the brush. Follow this path and soon it will become a more obvious trail. The first section is rocky and a bit steep but it gets easier as you enter the canyon.

After a short distance, the canyon ends in an alcove with interesting shelf-like rock formations. Once you hit this point, it is time to turn back and follow the trail back out to the parking lot.