Observation Point

"Observation Point is one of my favorite hikes in Zion, partly because the views are INCREDIBLE but also because it is somewhat of a hidden gem hike! Typically, people start the hike to Observation Point from within the park on the East Rim Trail from Weeping Rock. However, due to heavy rock fall in 2019, that area has been closed for quite sometime and there isn't information on when it'll reopen. Nowadays, if you want to experience Observation Point, you need to start outside of the park on East Mesa Trail. The trailhead is located outside the park's east entrance, so you'll have to drive about an hour from the Visitor Center to reach it (but this depends on where you're staying. Refer back to the 'entrances' section of this guide.). Next, the trailhead is down a section of dirt road with a lot of potholes. The dirt portion can be passable; I've seen low-clearance cars at the parking lot, but even if you're willing to drive your car on it, the bigger problem is that there are only 15 parking spots at the trailhead, and the area surrounding the trailhead is all private with a strict no-parking policy. To avoid this, I highly recommend booking the shuttle with East Zion Adventures! This is what I've done in the past and it is very seamless and affordable. You can park your private vehicle at their office, and their shuttle will take you to the trailhead and pick you up when you're done. If you do decide to attempt the drive, the address is: E Mesa Trail, Springdale, UT 84767 This hike isn't technical, and the best part is the stunning views from the summit, which overlook Angels Landing. It is 7-miles roundtrip, has 700-feet of elevation gain, and takes about 3-4 hours to complete. "