East Rim and East Rim Summits Trails

Two outstanding longer walks on the eastern side of Zion. High forested plateau, then superb views of canyons, spires, towers and red sandstone walls.

The East Rim Trail is a fine walk-in to the heard of Zion from the east entrance to the park. It spends much of its time on the eastern highlands before dropping into the huge bowl to the east of Observation Point. Thence it descends via Echo Canyon to the base of Zion at Weeping Rock. 16km, 4hrs, one way.

A shorter there-and-back along the beginning of the trail takes you along the trail to the contorted Jolley Gulch slot canyon. Walk along the beginning of the East Rim Trail from the East Entrance of the NP, over slickrock and enjoying the magnificence of the park, to a high viewpoint overlooking the amazing Jolley Gulch slot canyon.9.4km/5.8 miles return, with 200m of climb, so a moderate route. 

The East Rim Summits Trail is a major undertaking, 43km/27 miles along the East Rim Trail in from the eastern entrance to the park to the eastern rim of the main Zion canyon and eventually down through Echo Canyon to the canyon floor, but detouring to take in all 3 main walking summits: Deertrap Mountain, Cable Mountain and Observation Point – or one or two of them, as your energy dictates.

The Grand Canyon with Zion and Bryce Canyon NPs – Cicerone: excellent, includes all relevant practical information. Recommended. Find relevant books on Amazon.

See our Zion National Park page for more general and practical information and photos.