Terrific Trails: Zion Canyon Overlook Trail

Now on to a hike inside a National Park for hike no. 3! This one takes place in Zion National Park in Utah and that should be reason enough to be a good one. Add to that, a trail on ledges along a canyon wall and throw in a breathtaking view at the end! A terrific trail it was! Hiking through Canyon Overlook Trail is one that will go down as one of my most memorable hikes.

What is the Canyon Overlook Trail in Zion really like?

This one starts at the eastern end of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel on Zion Park Boulevard. At the trailhead is an interpretive signage that tells you about the fauna and flora of the area, and a bit about the trail. It goes on to say, ‘This rocky, uneven trail is not for anyone fearful of heights although most drop-offs are fenced.’ As if that’s not enough, beside it, stands a makeshift sign that says that the trails are slippery in winter and to ‘hike at your own risk.’

The Hike

It had snowed a couple of days before we visited and the trail was still wet. The sign should have made us have second thoughts, however, we just went ahead with it and when I look back at it all, I’m glad we went ahead and did it, and I am also glad that all was well.

It was all worth it! And I don’t say that just because of the view at the end. The trail was an exciting one too. It starts off with fairly-steep steps that lead us off the main road and into the rocky desert with all its red boulders and scrubs.

We would see different layers of the sandstone that the canyon and its surroundings were made of, rocks tilted by the uplifts, many interesting rock formations and all. There would be some steep drops, some dark and narrow box canyons — down below, and natural alcoves that made some cool-looking caves. There’d even be a part of the trail where the rocky ledge disappears and a few planks take over to bridge the gap.

Parts of the trail had rock parapets and some railings but there were some places that were uneven and narrow and just inches away from hikers slipping down into deep drops. Yet it seemed pretty safe. The hikers there seemed to be cautious and courteous. And I was so impressed by the kids who were being conscious of the terrain. There were elderly couples, and moms and dads with kids in carriers.

Parts of the trail had snow and slush and some stretches were quite slippery too. But it’s a great trail and as my mind returns to it, I’m thankful there weren’t any untoward incidents to mar the memory.

The Overlook

At the end of the trail, we would get onto a precipice and see before us, a spectacular view: The Lower Zion Canyon and its rock walls that rise thousands of feet from the ground!

We would see a bit of a creek bed, a scattering of rocks on the canyon floor and some manmade beauty too — Zion Park Boulevard’s switchbacks as it climbs up the canyon walls and into the 1.1-mile historic tunnel.

Things to know before you hit this trail in Zion National Park

• The trail is considered ‘moderate’
• It’s a one-mile out-and-back trail through uneven rocky ledges and some dirt, too.
• It could be hot out there in the summer, and slippery in the winter especially if there is snow on the trails.
• Make sure to carry water. And wear good shoes (and an extra layer for a winter hike).
• It is a fairly kid-friendly trail (if your kids are mindful of the dangers, and cautious too!)
• It is NOT wheelchair/stroller friendly. If you can wear your baby in a carrier, and are used to uneven trails, it shouldn’t be a difficult hike.
• The shuttle will not get you to this trailhead so you’re going to have to drive up to the tunnel.
• There are two parking lots; one on either side of the Boulevard but I must say that they are really small ones so you might have to park on the side of the road. Just make sure to look for a place where the shoulder is not too narrow.
• There’s moderate hiking traffic on this trail. It is one of the more popular hikes in Zion National Park.
• It offers some great views and a breathtakingly beautiful view at the end of the hike.
  
  [And I loved the hike despite the dangers lurking there. 🤩]

Logging in Hike 3 of 52 of the Hiking Challenge

Trail – Canyon Overlook Trail, Zion National Park 
Distance – 1 mile
Trail Type – Out and Back
Terrain – Rocky and uneven ledge on a Canyon Wall
Difficulty Level – Moderate

Date – December – 24th, 2022
Distance & Time – (1.67 miles, 1 hour and 41 minutes —(I made several stops to take pictures and spent some time gazing at the sights from the overlook, too. And we had to park further away from the parking lots so we ended up walking more than the 1 -mile that makes the trail.) 

Closing note: I hope I didn’t make the trail sound too dangerous and difficult. It is not — if it’s a nice, dry day and the trail’s dry too. Just be cautious. Make sure your kids understand that it could be dangerous if they are not careful enough. You just don’t want unfortunate incidents spoiling your experience here. 🤩

More:
From Utah
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Travel Tuesday
Pictorial Tuesday

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