Canyon Overlook hike in Zion National Park
Canyon Overlook hike in Zion National Park

Canyon Overlook hike

Zion National Park
View Photos
Beginning of Canyon Overlook hike in Zion National Park, UtahTrail of Canyon Overlook hike in Zion National Park, UtahViews from Canyon Overlook hike in Zion National Park, UtahGreat scenery on Canyon Overlook hike in Zion National ParkView of the canyon from Canyon Overlook hike in Zion National Park, UtahCanyon Overlook hike in Zion National Park leads to amazing overlookSheer cliffs on Canyon Overlook hike in Zion National Park, UtahDomes and mountains along Canyon Overlook hike in Zion National Park, UtahSwitchbacking on Canyon Overlook hike in Zion National Park, UtahGreat scenery on Canyon Overlook hike in Zion National Park, Utah

Canyon Overlook hike

Distance: 1.1mi
Elevation: 144ft
Time: 0.5h

Difficulty Rating:

User Ratings:
9.6 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty

Contouring the famous Zion – Mount Carmel Tunnel, the Canyon Overlook trail yields spectacular views of both the Zion and Pine Creek Canyons. It's so impressive that we added this hike to our list of the best hikes in the USA. A few stunning feats of engineering have also reduced the amount of climbing that would normally be required and makes this path very accessible for almost all skill levels.

Canyon Overlook Hike Map

Getting there

From Springdale, enter the park and continue along Utah 9 East for 7.0mi. Do not turn left into Zion Canyon. You will go through the famous Zion - Mount Carmel Tunnel, the longest vehicle tunnel in the park system. Just after you pass the tunnel the trailhead parking lot will be on your right, so keep your eyes up! Otherwise you can park in one of the few pullouts along the road and walk back to the trailhead. If you are coming from the East Entrance, head along the windy Utah 9 West for 6.0mi and find the trailhead parking lot on your left, just before the tunnel.

I’ve done this 45 people have done this
I want to do this 151 want to do this route

About

When to do

Spring and Fall, avoid summer heat

Backcountry Campsites

None

Toilets

At Visitors Centre, museum and Canyon Junction

Family friendly

Yes

Route Signage

Average

Crowd Levels

Moderate

Route Type

Out and back


Canyon Overlook
Elevation Graph


Route Description for Canyon Overlook

The trailhead is directly opposite the small parking lot. Right from the start, you will gain all the elevation this hike requires in the form of two narrow switchbacks. Here you will also see how meticulously man-made this trail is. The park service has blasted out steps in the rock, as well as installed a sturdy metal railing. Unlike Angel’s Landing, everyone should be comfortable on this hike!

Continuing along the path you will start veering right and away from the roadway. Again, blasting has been done to create a path along a nearly sheer vertical slick rock section! There is, yet again, a railing here to please everyone.

You will contour around this cliff band for just over 0.5mi before reaching your destination. Along the way you will get fantastic views of the East Temple up above you. Finally, though, you will crest a final ridge and be given stunning panoramic views of the canyons in front of you.

Bridge Mountain and Mount Spry occupy the closer scenery (on the left and right respectively). However looking directly across the valley you will be able to make out the Court of the Patriarchs, as well as the looming West Temple! A small sign at the end of the trail identifies peak names for you.

Find other spectacular hikes in Zion:

Insider Hints

  • here is usually tons of congestion along Utah 9, especially at the tunnel since they only allow one-way traffic. Try and do this hike on the day you are leaving Springdale, if you are heading east or north!

Comments

ShantiLewis 4 years ago

Unbelievable views! Words cannot describe everything you see.

10.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
1h 00m Time Taken
leo_Martini 4 years ago

It's clean, accessible, gorgeous, and filled with nooks and crannies to explore.

10.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
0h 50m Time Taken
April O. 4 years ago

The Skies are blue, and the sun was shining so bright. It boosts the vibrant tone of the rock faces.

10.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
benhilton 4 years ago

Excellent! Words are not enough to describe how lovely this place is!

10.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
HIllaryPNW 4 years ago

Bit challenging trail but it's really worth it. The views are just amazing.

9.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
Jin Ri 4 years ago

Stunning! One of the most uniqe hikes I've done so far!

10.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
Adriana K. 4 years ago

Awesome!! Such a fun trail! Beautiful scenery.

10.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
brandonlong 4 years ago

The landscapes, the mountains ...everything is truly unbelievable.

10.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
Gabriel10 5 years ago

Awesome place! You should see this at least once in your lifetime!

10.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
Carlos Gómez Sánchez-Lafuente 5 years ago

Great walk with amazing views of the valley. The trail was crowded in a weekday in october.

9.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
1h 00m Time Taken
22 Comments Show all

Similar hikes to the Canyon Overlook hike

Zion Ponderosa Checkerboard Trail

Zion Ponderosa Checkerboard Trail

Difficulty:
2.8mi
210ft
1-1.5h

The Zion Ponderosa Checkerboard Trail is an easy walk that the whole family can enjoy. This trail is shared by…

Pine Creek Narrows Trail Map

Pine Creek Narrows Trail

Difficulty:
1.2mi
233ft
0.5h

The Pine Creek Narrows Trail is a great little hike exploring beautiful slot canyons just off of route 9. This…

Cascade Falls Trail

Cascade Falls Trail

Difficulty:
2.2mi
466ft
1-1.5h

The Cascade Falls trail is a little-hiked trail just off of route 9 near Springdale, UT. The waterfalls themselves flow…