This is a unique hike to an INCREDIBLE view. I saw online people saying this is the actual best view in Zion and honestly, it is indeed one of the grandest - even more so than Angel's landing. Of note, the trail changes from roc/dirt to sand and the day I came it was chilly and SO windy, especially by the viewpoint. My allergies were absolutely killing me and I had to put on my sunglasses at the viewpoint because of how much I was tearing up with the wind and sand/dust. Nevertheless though the view was totally clear and absolutely breathtaking! I also loved the little stretch to get to the viewpoint where you can see some vistas in the distance, and feel like your kind of walking through a desert field (that's how I felt anyway). Bear in mind how CRAP the roads are to get to the trailhead (observation point/east Mesa trailhead). I 100% recommend either going in a high clearance vehicle or using the $8 per person Zion ponderosa shuttle because these are some of the worst roads I have ever seen (I took the shuttle). I was driving a rented Nissan Sentra on this trip and I have zero question I would have been sweating bullets or just trapped in a pothole ditch if I had tried to drive the car out. And if it's been raining, the 1-1.5 foot deep potholes become a mud slick - I wouldn't even try coming out at all if that's the case. read more

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The overlook point fr9m Zion National Park in Utah is a natural marvel. From the winding road across the mountains to the tunnel until you reach the summit point for a 1.5-mile hike you'll definitely love the views. read more

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Wow. This is a four mile hike that you have to go all the way to the end to justify. Parking for only ten or so cars, but the Zion Ponderosa Ranch's East Zion Adventures, a few miles away, offers shuttle service for about $7 per person. The road to the trailhead is heavily rutted and non-four wheel vehicles will have a hard time. The shuttle driver told us that a minivan had high centered the day before. As we returned, a road grader was out filling in the ruts and greatly improving the road. Not sure how often that happens. The hike is level with a sandy path for the first three miles and then descends several hundred feet the last mile. Signs guide you so you can't get lost. When you arrive at the observation point it'll take your breath away. You look down on Zion National Park and the river that winds through it from north of the park. The view is spectacular and getting near the cliff edge is not for the faint of heart. The hike back is taxing for that first mile but there's plenty of spots to stop in the shade and rest. This is considered a moderate hike with a well maintained path and no rock climbing necessary. Totally hands free. If you bring children, watch them carefully at the view point. The ground is uneven and it's a long way down. read more

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I don't think I even need to write about Observation Point. Just take a look at the pictures here. You do know that there is more than one way to hike to the Point, right? Those Weeping Rock and East Rim Trails do look awesome, and I'd love to hike them someday, but my wife, friends, and I decided for the trail less taken, namely the East Mesa Trail, for the following reasons: - We were staying in Orderville, only 30 minutes from the trailhead. - Fellow hikers are cool, but we wanted to be able to enjoy nature without so many other people around. - Although we recognize its necessity, we don't enjoy taking the park shuttle! Need directions? Here you go: http://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/eastmesatrail.cfm (No, this is not my website.) Tip: Although I highly recommend getting a week pass for Zion, there is no charge for accessing the park via the East Mesa Trail. This hike was pretty easy, fun, and scenic in its own way. Of course, the view at the Point was spectacular. Any way you get to it, it is not to be missed. Bring water! Wear sunscreen! "Leave nothing but footprints. Take nothing but photos. Kill nothing but time. Keep nothing but memories." read more

Observation Point - Hiking Near Me - Springdale, Utah

This review will comment on the hike from East Mesa trailhead, which is the only way to get to Observation Point at this time. The original hike from inside Zion has been closed for a couple of years now due to the rockfall. Mileage: 7-8 miles (depending on when you park) Difficulty level: moderate The vista: 5/5 The hike views: 3/5 We parked in a dirt lot about 0.5 miles away from the trailhead (our Prius would not have made it through the dirt ruts! Many of the other vehicles at trailhead were 4WDs). The hike itself was not particularly exciting: not a lot of elevation change, and the shrubbery was about the same. Largely unshaded as well, so bring your sun protection and plenty of water. The payoff is the amazing, breathtaking view at the end! You get to see the entirety of the canyon, as well as the iconic Angel's Landing. The other great part about this trail is that it is relatively less crowded than the other hikes inside the park. You also do not need a park pass to access this trail at all. We took approx 2.5 hours for a total of 8 miles (back to our car at the dirt lot). Can't rave enough about the view at the end, which made the otherwise less than exciting trail totally worthwhile. read more

This place has an amazing view, highly recommend to take some pictures and enjoy the view. It was a pretty easy hike probably a mile or so long (depending how far you want to go). Like I said the view is amazing and along the way you might be lucky enough to see some rams hanging out on a cliff. Very cool place and view! read more

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One of our favorite hikes while in Zion. The views from the top are amazing and awe inspiring. Bring binoculars ...so much to see and fun to look acrosss at the other trails and hikers. We came during June 2020 and during COVID - we were fortunate that weather was fair (in the 80s) and relatively few hikers. One suggestion...since the entrance to Zion was exceedingly crowded and parking was scarce we opted to access the Observation Point hike from OUTSIDE the park which was a huge positive. You can get to it at a trailhead near the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort and you can park near trailhead. The hike is gorgeous and you can do it in three hours round trip (about six miles total). Great way to get in an amazing hike when Park is overly crowded. Gorgeous views and good strenuous hike. read more

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Was once amazing.... now- CLOSED! (Only giving 1 Star to make sure people will see and it plan there trip for what was once a glorious view) Observation Point and Hidden Canyon Hikes all closed - Rock slide Oct 2018 took out all trails :( Buses won't even stop at the bus stop. Closed 10/18 and as of 10/5/19 not open with no reopen date in sight. read more

Observation Point - Observation Point and Hidden Canyon access/ trail head access - Hiking Near Me - Springdale, Utah

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8 miles round trip with 2,000 feet elevation gain, this may be the most beautiful trail at Zion National Park. Start with lots of switch backs, most of elevation gain is at the beginning. I had two layers of jackets and it didn't take too long before I had to take off both of them. Towards the end of initial switch backs, you will see Angel's landing and river looks like horseshoe. Pictures came out better in mid day when the Sun is up high. Early in the morning creates shadows. Echo Canyon was beautiful, so pretty. It was in the shade, I had to get my jacket back on. Then became kind of non spectacular for a while. Shortly after that, I noticed so many flowers and plants are growing from the wall. Looking around how the nature is surviving under harsh conditions was very interesting. View from the top is amazingly gorgeous. You see the Angel's landing so close, I was thinking did I really walk that ridge? That looks scary from distance. If you start early in the morning, not many people is there and was so peaceful for a while. If you want your pictures without shadows, wait until mid day for better pictures. Overall it was about 4 1/2 hours or so. The paper said strenuous but I thought it wasn't bad at all, it didn't quite give me the workout I hoped. I enjoyed different views throughout the 8 miles hike. read more

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Amazing hike. It has a better view than Angel's Landing I think since it is higher up. Be prepared to hike a good amount of time. It is not a hard hike and not that scary. Bring water, wear a hat and shades, and wear hiking shoes You don't want to slip off the trail. Bring a picnic to enjoy at the top. On the way to Observation Point you can make a detour to Hidden Canyon. This one can be a bit scary. read more

Observation Point - The view at the top! - Hiking Near Me - Springdale, Utah

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Eight glorious round-trip miles of gorgeous scenery and life-changing beauty! And the views are ever-changing and more glorious around every turn! I gave different sections of the hike different color-coded nicknames. It starts in the "red" section - where you are surrounded by rocks that are richer in iron and have that stunning red hue to to them. Then there is the "yellow" section - where the rocks and consequently the trail in parts turns yellow. I'm not sure what the mineral is that brings out that color, but this section of the trail is surrounded by a lot of smoother beige rock. Then there is the "green" section where the pine trees become more abundant! This will take you to the top, so if you have made it this far, then keep pushing -- you're almost there! The incline of this trail is a bit challenging at (most) times... but most of the terrain is paved so a bit easier to trek up than a rocky dirty trail. But if it's dirrrrty that you're looking for, then just wait until you get to the peak... and you will experience some incredible expansive views of Zion National Park! The descent goes quickly and can actually be challenging in its own way because of the steepness. A lot of hikers had hiking sticks and I could see the sticks coming in most handy on the way down. The day prior to hiking, some other hikers told us that it took them EIGHT hours to do the round-trip hike. It took us THREE hours and fifteen minutes. So it really does depend on your fitness level and ability. Just be sure to take your time and do this trail at your own pace! PRO-TIP: have someone take a bunch pics of you at the peak and use those for your new social media profile pic! Your friends will think you're the real deal adventuring baller exploring this world's most sought-after sights! *****FIVE STARS***** read more

A really underrated hike in my opinion! The view at the apex of the hike is amazing and scenic. Even the trail towards the top is scenic on its own. Got there in the early AM and took a good 2-3 hours with a few stops to get to the top. The view is spectacular and worth it. Take lots of water, snackage, and a good positive attitude and you're set! Bring your camera and a smile. It can get a bit crowded at the top but not as crowded as Angel's Landing. Do yourself a favor and come hike! Spend a good chunk of the day here and enjoy nature views at their finest! read more

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Tired of all those folks boasting about their Angel landing hike? Well do the Observation Point hike, and you can look down on them, and thumb your nose at them at the same time. Literally. I start out at 4200 feet elevation on the Zion Canyon floor at 10am on a cool April morning. Like a lot of hikes from the floor of the Canyon, this hike has little cover, lots of switchbacks, and is going up under strenuous conditions, and then hiking back down. The first three quarters of a mile is all work, going seemingly straight up the cliff on the long innumerable switchbacks, over broken concrete and rocks. You reach a fork in the trail, at 4700 feet elevation, with the right going to Hidden Canyon, and the left fork going to Observation Point. 500 elevation gain in about 3/4 mile! The Observation Point trail continues up on long traverses up the side of the mountain, dirt trails, no cover except that it is in the shade in the morning. You do not want to do this hike in the summer, otherwise you risk becoming a permanent resident - a deceased resident! Bring a hat and plenty of liquids -I only needed two 20 ounce bottles of water, but then it was cool, with highs in the low 70s. Hiking poles would help on this hike -can't use the hiking poles on the Angel landing hike, if you are going to be pulling yourself up with the chain cables on the mountain side. At the top after the first series of switchbacks, one enters Echo canyon, with a straight path alongside a river gorge, although this gorge is for the most part dried up. There is one place where there is water, deep inside the narrow canyon, where Zion adventures suited people try out their wet equipment. We reach 5600 feet elevation, a 1300 foot elevation gain, before we encounter another set of switchbacks. Yellow colored Navajo sandstone, and then orange colored sandstone on the walls of the mountain sides of the dirt trails. Sparse forests, with tall cliffs surrounding in the distance. It is here, that one encounters narrow trails, with long steep drop-offs. The trick is to never go too close to the edge, and never look down. One reaches a plateau, where one can actually see Observation Point a mile away, a white cliff, stained red with water streaks running down the cliff. First dirt, and finally sand, as one approaches the end of the hike at 6507 feet elevation, after 3.5 hours of hiking. The last 100-200 yards is all red clay, with forests of green trees. Dozens of people here, with grandiose views of Zion Canyon, with the Virgin river meandering through the canyon, and of Angel Landing some 700 feet below, and off in a distance. You can see the entire half mile of the ridge to that trail, but can't make out the people holding for their dear lives onto the chain cables in that hike. Permanent residents these squirrels running around, but don't let them climb onto you -their claws will rip your clothes and skin to shreds. Coming down is easier than going up, but hard on the knee joints. Even at 3pm I was seeing people in the first half of the hike coming up. Don't want to stick around here when the daylight retreats around 7pm -imagine going down the trail alongside the long drop-offs in the darkness! Better hope for a full moon! I reach the trailhead and the free shuttle at 430pm, after 6 hours of hiking, 8 miles, 2148 feet of elevation gain. My knee joints are in pain going the last steps downhill, but kept at it, with the encouragement of people 40 years younger! . read more

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When angels landing and the narrows are super busy you should head on over to Observation Point trail instead. Or, if you have done Angels Landing and The Narrows, Observation point should be your next hike inside of Zion National Park. The hiking trail is a 8 miles roundtrip hike which includes switchbacks and a beautiful trek into the canyon. I urge you to begin this trail early as currently we are in summer and it is very hot by noon. Once you reach the peak you will be amazed at how much higher in elevation you are versus Angels Landing. Keep in mind this trail does not have as many switch backs as Angels Landing does but make sure to bring a lot of water and a snack to munch on once you reach the top. Also, at the top you will be greeted by a lot of chipmunks. They are friendly. read more

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As the name suggest it, it is the best point of view in Zion National Park. It takes about 6 hours to go up and down but definitely worth it. read more

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Definitely 5 stars for this hike! It's challenging with quite a few steep inclines, but the change in landscape and geology is along the way is very impressive, and you get a stellar view of Zion Canyon at the top of an approximately 2,100 ft climb (nearly 7,000 ft above sea level!). The hike to Observation Point starts at stop #7 in the Zion Canyon shuttle. It took me about 2.5 miles on the way up (with many short stops along the way for water and photos), and a little less than 2 hours for the way back down. The hike starts off with steep switchback inclines on the face of a mountain, but after about 1.5 miles, the path levels off in a canyon-like region with towering canyon walls in both sides of you. You then emerge on the other side of the mountain and it's a totally different landscape. You go up some more inclines (it is steep for quite awhile), you pass by these amazingly different colored rocks, and for the last 3/4 of a mile, it is finally flat as you cross the top of the mesa onto Observation Point. Be on the lookout for flowers, chipmunks, and geckos along the way! There are fewer hikers on this trail (compared to say, Angel's Landing), but everyone we passed was very encouraging in helping us get up some steep inclines! You get some GREAT views at the top, and you can either squint or use binoculars to see the hikers and chains of Angel's Landing. You're approximately 500 ft above Angel's Landing and it doesn't seem so intimidating! Several people at the top asked me whether I thought this hike or Angel's Landing was better...I think they are very different hikes -- both strenuous and with great views at the top, but I think Angel's Landing is perhaps more iconic (and crowded), while the landscape changes along the Observation Point hike were very unique and memorable. read more

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#32/100 yelp challenge - Moderate to strenuous hike - length: 2 mile round trip - duration: 1 hour ; depends on your pace and some play time. - not paved. Some narrow and drop off... - Not good for small children and handicap. - you don't need hiking sticks here - wear good hiking shoes since there are some rocky and slippery areas - very hot during summer, so you will need minimal 24 oz bottle water per person. You can not take the shuttle to this hike. We drove to the park. Once we passed the canyon junction, turned right to the SR 9 to the tunnel. It was about 6-7 miles up hill with nice view along the way, 1 mile through the tunnels. There are 2 small parkings each on the opposite direction right outside of the tunnel exit. The trail entrance is on the coming in direction. We went here at mid day so it is very hot but there are plenty of parkings. The beggining park is stairs and uphill. Continues for about half mile when you see the tree with tortuous exposed root crossing the trail, you are about half way to the overlook. Then pass the open cave, you are less than 1/4 mile to the top. From there, the trail becomes narrow only fit one person at the time, no rail, along the cliff wall. The view from the top is very nice of the winding road and many peaks. There are many wildlife up here. We saw many chipmonks and a small snake but did not see any ram. read more

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Zion National Park is beautiful in general. My sister, man, and I enjoyed the scenery all the way to the summit. It was the best way to celebrate Veteran's Day last year. Definitely hydrate during these 8miles of RT fun. I say the earlier the better when you do this hike. It does get warm as you climb higher and higher. You can see Angel's Landing from the top. Maybe one day I'll be able to do that one! read more

Let me just say that this was absolutely the most incredible hike I've ever been on. Everything about it was perfect. It was difficult, but not dangerous. It had a ton of diversity in terms of the areas that you're hiking and the views you get along the way. There are valleys, towering cliff walls, trenches, and then open expansive views. All will take your breath away. The view at the end was absolutely magnificent. The best view I've ever seen in my life. The pictures look great but fail to capture the magnitude and beauty that seeing it in person do. It also wasn't that packed. Nothing like Angels Landing. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone, it's for sure worth your time. Going on this hike will give you a new appreciation for nature. At least, it did for me. Anyways, if you're going to Zion, put this on your must do list. That's all I've got here, thanks for reading (yes I view myself as a famous yelp blogger), goodbye everyone. read more

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This is an 8 mile round trip hike starting at Weeping Rock trailhead. We visited Weeping Rock first as it's a very short hike. From there, continue the hike up. There should be signs posted but if for some reason they go missing, all splits in the trail go left. The first split in the trail, if you go right, that is to Hidden Canyon. The second split is to the east rim trail. The last split is east mesa trail. But for this review, we go left all the way to Observation Point. You can google and look up these trails if you want to try them out someday. Most of these are light traffic trails in comparison to the narrows or angel's landing. Other than that, I really enjoy the hike, but if you're short on time, and looking for beautiful views. I would skip this trail and go for the most popular hikes in the NP. That's angel's landing and the narrows. Why, because observation point doesn't have like a 360 view which angel's landing does. Everyone will have their opinion on which trail is the best in the park, but if you want a view all around, then observation point in my opinion is not it, but it's still a wondering hike. And the narrows, besides the crowd, this is a must hike. Anyone who disagree must be crazy. Now if you have more time to spend here. I say do the narrows bottom up, then do the west rim trail to angel's landing, then top it off with observation point and canyon overlook. Now if you really have more time, I would book a tour with zion adventures and do a canyoneering trip to like the subway. Then you will be satisfied with Zion NP:) As always pack accordingly to the weather and have fun out there. read more

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Observation Point is a whooping 8 mile round trip, but I highly recommend it. This hike is less popular than Angels Landing and I feel that it deserves more appreciation from Zion's visitors. The NPS guide rated this hike as strenuous and I agree. The hike does not involve extremely steep switchbacks in comparison to Angels Landing, but I thought it was strenuous because it requires stamina. My boyfriend and I completed the hike in a total of 5 hours round trip. The trail is mostly paved and there are very few sections where you have to maneuver over rocks. There is plenty of sun exposure throughout the hike, but there are also sections where you cool down, walking between canyon walls. After gradual switchbacks, you end up facing West. The view consists of Angels Landing, Big Bend, and the river flowing Westward. What I loved about this hike was that it was not congested. We counted a total of 8 people on this hike, excluding ourselves. Wear sunscreen, bring a lunch, and enjoy the view at Observation Point! read more

Observation Point - Hiking Near Me - Springdale, Utah

During my 1st visit to Zion, I didn't get a chance to do this hike. I made sure that I would come to this one during my 2nd visit here. The brochure they give says it takes about 6 hours - but you can very well do it within 4 hours like we did. We just didn't stop for any breaks. The view as you go up is incredible. I would say that the view is better than Angels Landing, but the hike is more straightforward. It is just a steep incline - not crazy chains to hold on for your life or anything. Overall, my 2nd favorite hike besides Angel's Landing. read more

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Long, strenuous, 8 mile round trip but absolutely amazing view at the top. I did this in about 4.5 hours at a moderate pace, I would give yourself at least that much time Views in my opinion are better than Angel's landing at the top, but Angel's landing was more fun for me. Must do at park along with Narrows and Angel's landing. read more

Observation Point - Top of observation point, felt like a dream! - Hiking Near Me - Springdale, Utah

Completed this hike today with my son. Was set on doing Angels landing but found out it was closed on the shuttle up. Came early to the park 7am and found free parking in the visitor center. It was already 79 degrees at this point. I don't do well with crowds and extreme heat so we started early. First shuttle up the canyon is at 6am during the summer. To get to this trail you get off at stop 7. This stop has no water and just two outhouse style toilets. Fill up your water at the visitor center. Their is a water fountain outside behind the place where you wait for shuttles. Visitor center doesn't open until 8am so get your park pass before you enter the park. The beginning of this 8mile trail is rough. It's an out and back. Major elevation gain. My 15yo son and I finished in 3.5 hours. We stopped along the way to cool down and eat snacks and take pics. On our way back we encountered many folks. Wouldn't ever do this trail with kids under 12. They will be miserable and you probably won't finish. Also start early if you are doing it in the summer. Today hit 104 degrees, by noon it was 98 and people were just getting on the shuttles after waiting in long lines. read more

The hike to Observation Point is 4 miles one-way from the Weeping Rock shuttle stop. It was a bit chilly and windy, so I wanted to get going. The hike is, as I soon found out, quite unforgiving on the knees (especially going back down). Unlike Angels' Landing, the Observation Point Trail begins with uphill and more uphill. It wasn't until, I'd guess, 1.0-1.5 miles in was there any flat trail. Along the way, I passed by the Hidden Canyon trail, which unfortunately was closed for repair. What I believe to be Echo Canyon came next. It offered a brief glimpse of what I'm assuming The Narrows look like. There's a narrow path here that goes in the opposite direction, and it's something I'd like to check out in the future. I had thought about taking it on the way back down from Observation Point, but I was short on water, food, and bladder volume. Onward towards more switchbacks, which eventually took me 2,100 feet above where I started. While the hike doesn't induce the same adrenaline rush as Angels' Landing, it is harder and is definitely a decent workout. Plus, the view at the top was more than sufficient to warrant the wear and tear on the knees. Or so my younger self tells me. read more

Observation Point - Hiking Near Me - Springdale, Utah

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This is a long strenuous hike. You are hiking 4 miles each way and traversing to over 2000ft above the base of the hill. Though it may seem daunting, the view is very much worth it. In comparison to Angels Landing, the hike is twice as long (but many times safer). The trail is a very doable hike with no real dangers in terms of cliffs etc. Trails are well marked and maintained so that it is very safe as you walk them. A few advice I personally would give others: - Start early: we started mid day and was able to get to the top, but we felt a bit rushed coming down to try to catch the buses. - Bring lots of food and water. You will be out on this trail for at least 5-6 hours. You will need to refuel along the way. - Wear very comfortable shoes: the hike is long with tons of uphils. Not only that, you will be coming back down so having appropriate shoes will definitely save you lots of pain later one! read more

Observation Point - The bends on the trail - Hiking Near Me - Springdale, Utah

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Observation Point is actually at a higher elevation point than Angel's Landing. For me, it is a perfect alternative to Angel's Landing. It provides a spectacular view of the canyon and valley with significantly less danger. Moreover, you get to look down toward Angel's Landing as part of your views of the park. In addition to the magnificent payoff at the end, I thoroughly enjoyed all parts of the hike. To get to the trailhead, get off at the 7th stop for the shuttle: Weeping Rock. Continue straight, past the left turn to go to short path to Weeping Rock, on the trail until you get to the switchbacks. The initial switchbacks are very steep. However, it definitely gets better. Although the elevation increases very quickly and you are high up fast, you are not looking over a ledge. The switchbacks are indented inwards as they ascend. In other words; if you slid off one switchback, you would land on the switchback below it. Once you complete the set of switchbacks on the first mountain, the trail levels off for a bit and is flat. Eventually, you walk through a cave-like passageway to get to a hidden canyon. Next, the path links up to another set of switchbacks that run up the side of another mountain. Once you are done with the switchbacks, the final stretch of the trail is relatively flat for the last 25 minutes of the hike. However, that section of the path includes significant drop offs if you look over the side of the ledges. Obviously, falling over the ledge means certain death. For anyone with an adverse fear of heights, it may be very unnerving. I recommend walking on the inside part of the trail and away from the ledge if you are petrified of heights. There are also extreme drops over the ledges at Observation Point. Accordingly, I did not get too close to the edge when I was at the top. The views and pictures a few feet and safely back are still magnificent. In addition to the final 25 minutes of the hike, there are a few other spots on the trail with steep drops. However, it is significantly less dangerous than Angel's Landing. If you hike safely and are not reckless, serious injury or death is highly unlikely. Respect that real danger exists and do not act foolishly. I would not try this hike if it rained hard because the water would make the rocks very slippery. I also encountered points during the hike where the dirt was very smooth. As such, it was a bit slippery. Of course, just go slower and make sure you have solid footing at those sections. It took me 4 hours and 20 minutes to complete the roundtrip hike. 20 minutes of it was spent enjoying and soaking in the beauty of the park at Observation Point. Make sure you bring plenty of water for the hike because significant parts of it are completely exposed to the sun. I drank 2 liters. If you are visiting and planning a trip to Zion National Park and looking for recommendations, feel free to message me for my itinerary. You can also find the electronic copy through the link my profile. read more

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What a hike! I've never hiked that long before but it's definitely worth it. It's a breathtaking view! Make sure you take a few bottles of water and snacks while you hike up there. Believe me, it's a strenuous hike up to the top. read more

Observation Point - Hiking Near Me - Springdale, Utah

So I just completed this hike today after spending two days at Zion. After finishing Angels Landing one day and then doing this the next, I would have to say the view from OP is beautiful and OPs trail is very harder than AL. You are so high up you get a great view of the canyons. You can also see AL from up above. Now the hike up is totally a different topic. So this year I barely started hiking, and I did not hike often. Very beginner hiker, I've only did a handful and spaced out between months, those were considered easy and moderate I would say. So I do not hike, I don't exercise or do physical activity. This hike was very exhausting. The switchbacks are just long and treacherous. Right from the start you begin your upwards journey, and the switchbacks seem never ending. The first half of the hike, long fast incline, at one point you come to walk through the canyons and it's fairly a smooth journey. That comes to an end almost all too quickly. Once you reach the east rim trail sign, you are about half way and this is where the real fun comes. the switchback continues for a good two almost two and a half miles and these are even more brutal compared to the first half. You are exposed to the sun climbing your way to the top, but once you manage to push through this, the last portion of the hike, almost a good mile, you're just walking through sand; and then you finally reach the top. The view throughout this hike was breathtaking. So many beautiful views to take pictures of. So much to see being at this high elevation. It's absolutely amazing. This hike up and down took me 4 hours and 15 minutes. 3 hours up and 1 hour 15 down. Coming back down is pretty strenuous as well. Lots of fast decline that can be harsh on the legs. I would say to attempt this hike very early, so you aren't caught in the sun because it only makes the hike seem never ending. Lots and lots of water is needed, also snacks and a light lunch. Walking sticks do really seem to help but unfortunately I did not have one. Go at your own pace and don't over exert yourself. This hike is exhausting but if you love the natural beauty of the world, it is a must do. read more

Observation Point - Hiking Near Me - Springdale, Utah

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Amazing hike in Zion! We managed the 8 miles round trip in about 4 hours including about 20 min at the top to take in the views. The hike itself is really beautiful and far less traveled than Angels landing, making it more enjoyable in my opinion. I could divide the hike up into four stents: incline, flat, incline, flat. The flat-ish stretches were a nice break for my lungs and knees. It's a tough hike but one of the more enjoyable ones I've done. I would totally recommend it during your visit to Zion. read more

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Admittedly, I was nervous about doing this hike. I'm a whiny baby in steep unrelenting uphill climbs. And although that is definitely what this is, it's also very doable and well worth it. The incredible scenery throughout made the pain tolerable. Just enjoy the burn on your thighs and bask in the knowledge that your one of the few people in the world that get to see this with your own eyes. I was glad we started early and had a lot of shade (and water). And the middle part when it's mercifully gives a stretch of flat and slot canyons is awesome! Sure, lots of steep drop off ledges, but I thought the trails were always plenty wide to allow two way traffic. Do it, you'll breathe heavy, but be so glad you did. read more

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This was my very first hike I ever did in Zion at the ripe old age of 19, so this will forever hold a spot in my heart. Best summer of my life! Working for the Boy Scouts and living in Kolob Res. for summer...ahhhh the good old days. Anyways, I hadn't done this hike since then (I won't mention how long ago that was) and I was feeling nostalgic, so I decided to do it. Starting at the Weeping Rock parking lot, you can see the trail on the West side but once you pass the Hidden Canyon trailhead, this trail goes onto the backside of the mtn. This is a definite a$$ kicker I lost count at 500 switchbacks (just kidding) but seriously, it's mostly steep, hard surface trail and it gains elevation pretty quick. Once you get to the backside the terrain changes slightly, the trail is a little more rocky, but still decent. This is where you pass through Echo Canyon, which is a dry slot canyon most of the time (unless there is snow fall) which is so pretty my pictures don't even do it justice. Once you get to what you think is the home stretch, the switchbacks become a little more sketchy, they're steeper and there are steep drop offs and I found myself saying "this has to be the end" nope, keep going, once you reach what looks like a plateau, you will walk around a bizarre terrain of sand that looks like you should be at the beach. Hooray you reached the summit! From here you have AMAZING views Angels Landing and the West Rim, Cathedral Mountain, Castle Dome and the Three Patriarchs, East Rim (Cable Mountain), and Great White Throne. Watch out for the little chipmunks that are thiefs! One climbed in my camelback I set down and took my food! Stats: 8 miles RT Wear good shoes, going down is a killer on the toes and knees when they're getting jammed. 2000 ft elevation Strenuous, but I saw many different shapes and sizes doing this hike Aprox 5 hours to finish read more

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I disliked this hike more than hiking out of the Grand Canyon on the South Rim after hiking from the North Rim the same day. This hike is just up up up switchback after calve killing switchback. To compare, the South Rim switch backs are more gradual incline. The view at the top is great. I didn't want to do Angel's Landing because I didn't want to hike that much elevation. Then I was duped into this hike. I thought we were doing Hidden Canyon. Then my husband was all let's see what is this way. At the top we look down and Angel's Landing is far beneath us. Make sure you cut your toenails or the pressure on the way down could cause you to lose some. I definitely slept well the night after. This hike I feel is more about the accomplishment of reaching the end than the enjoyment and cool views. Yes you are high up and it's pretty but along the way the view stays pretty similar. read more

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We did this hike today and it's gorgeous. It was 78 degrees and we are strong hikers. It took us 2.5 hours to get to the top and once there it looked like a storm was coming so we booked it down in an hour and 15 minutes. The suggested time is 6 hours and I'd say to plan for 5-6 hours to do it justice. It's 2,000 feet of elevation with a lot of switch backs. There are parts that are very steep and have a cliff on the one side. Bring at least a gallon of water per person, snacks, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, wear good hiking boots and bring your camera because the views are beautiful. Another plus is this is not a crowded hike. read more

Observation Point - The view from the top - Hiking Near Me - Springdale, Utah

2 and a half hours up and 1 and a half back down with short breaks. Recommended to bring: At LEAST 2 liters of water. Granola/protein bars. Sun hat. Sun screen. LifeStraw. (last resort water source under the bridge where you start) Im giving this hike 5 stars based on the view you get throughout the hike. The worse part for me and my posse was that the weather was scorching hot that day. Coming from Las Vegas we knew it would be cooler so we decided on this hike (still 100 degrees at Zion). I wanted to start the hike at 7 in the morning although you should know, the more people you have, the more waiting around tends to happen. Starting the trail at 9am right off the bus, we started out with some shaded cover provided by the mountain on the east. About 1.8 miles into the hike, you will go through a little canyon that is only shaded in the morning so TAKE A BREAK and some pictures BEFORE you keep going up because there is NO SHADE besides trees after this point. At the end of the third mile, you will be able to see the point where everyone is standing and taking pictures. Once you pass these steep inclines, you're pretty much golden for the last mile since its flat. The point is very beautiful and an additional 500 feet higher than Angels Landing. If you have great eyesight (or some binoculars) you can see people hiking to the top of Angels Landing. I highly recommend doing this hike only if the high in the area is in the 80s. Other than that, be prepared because on the way down, there were many (burnt/sweaty/desperate) tourists asking me for either water or food. Something you can look forward to when you do this hike is that its not crowded full of people like Angels Landing;) (passed about approximately 30-40 hikers the whole 8 mile trip) read more

Observation Point - Resting my feet. - Hiking Near Me - Springdale, Utah

Very long hike but totally worth it with the views on top. You go even higher than the angel's landing point and get to see angels landing from above. When we went there was snow on top of the plateau. Incredible! We were able to do the hike in 3.5 hrs moving at a brisk pace. It was my boyfriends favorite hike of the trip. read more

This 8 mile roundtrip hike is gnarly and strenuous! You have been warned! But was it all worth it at the top? yes yes and.... yes!! This was the first hike my friends and I did when we arrived in Zion. It is also one of the hardest hike to do and I did this hike on little to no sleep. I must have been running on adrenaline or something. Start the hike at Weeping Rock Trailhead (7th stop for the Zion Canyon Shuttle). It shares the trail with Weeping Rock and Hidden Canyon. We started our hike around 1pm and although there were a lot of people already on the hike, it was quite dispersed so it didn't feel crowded. The hike can range from 4-6 hours roundtrip depending how fast you go. It took my friend and I 5 hours to complete. From the start, the trail is already uphill and there are a lot of switchbacks from various points of the hike. The trail can go from rugged to sandy. One cool thing I liked about the hike was you get to go through this canyon-like area where you will see standing water. Be careful to not drop your things in the water. I would recommend starting this hike early since it was quite sunny throughout the hike for us. The sun definitely made itself known. Bring at least 2 liters of water!! You'll know when you're almost at the top since the trail flattens. When it flattens, you are basically at the rim of the mountain, continue hiking under you finally hit Observation Point. You'll know since you can't go anywhere else haha You can see Angel's Landing from here! Observation Point is 6,508 feet above sea level! Throughout the hike, you are surrounding by these beautiful mountains so there are plenty of great views to see as you stop and take breaks. read more

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Since Angel's Landing is currently undergoing trail maintenance, we decided to check out Observation Point. This hike was one of the longer ones listed in the map of the park, and it was listed as strenuous. We weren't sure how hard the hike was going to be, but after completing it, I will say it's not that bad. I think it's totally doable by anyone (with good hydration and breaks), and it should not scare you off. Now to go the trail itself: The trail is very well maintained and is pretty populated. There is no scrambling required, which was a big plus for me as one of my knees is pretty weak. Also, despite the trail being very high up, I never once felt afraid of how high up we were. I feel like there was a lot of room to maneuver, which is vastly different from trails like Angel's Landing or Hidden Canyon. Overall, cool hike with an incredible view. read more

Observation Point was the highlight of my trip to Zion national park. It was by far my favorite hike during both days I visited here. With this trail you get an amazing view of the entire park and it's even higher up than angel's landing (you can see it from the top). I really enjoy doing climbs when hiking, it makes getting to the top that much better. Observation Point starts out in the canyon on the weeping rock shuttle stop. Once you begin the climb, you can look up and see the point to the left. The trail begins with a crapload of switchbacks that brings you to the other side of the mountain. From there you can see some cool rock formations that were created by the floods that pour into the canyon. The entire hike is pretty much uphill until you get to the top where it flattens out. The entire trail is 8 miles roundtrip from the shuttle stop. I personally think this trail is a lot harder than Angel's landing, just because there is simply no break, you're just powering uphill the whole way pretty much. Like I said before, the view is definitely worth it. My advice is to start the trail in the morning, you can hike in shade because the sun is still below the mountain. read more

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I'm not a hiker and neither is my boyfriend, but we did Observation Point at noon on a hot day in April 2012. We were foolish. This point was drive home as we passed tons of hikers on the way up (smart hikers, who hike before the heat of the day) and rarely saw anyone on the way down. Bring water and sunscreen. This is something that we did right. We actually saw people less prepared than us, with only one water bottle and clearly not as fit. Yikes! Observation point is a difficult hike. There is a lot of walking uphill and more switch backs that i ever thought possible. It's like a Disney queue, you always think that you're almost there, and then you see another switchback! That being said, the reward is magnificent. Stunning. It's not just the view at the top, the whole hike is gorgeous, filled with amazing geology and terrain. It's worth the sweat, achy muscles and blisters. read more