The Observation Point Trail is easily one of the most underrated hikes in Utah’s Zion National Park.
Most people go to Angels Landing or The Narrows, which are great hikes, but the scenery at Observation Point is just as fantastic and there are much fewer people! Here you will have a panoramic view of the best sites of Zion National Park from above, including Angels Landing.
The Observation Point is currently open as of 2024, although access to the Observation point is only possible via the East Mesa Trail. It’s an easy, easy hike with awesome views at the end, so be sure to add it to your Zion bucket list!
This Observation Point hiking guide explains where to find the East Mesa trailhead and everything you need to know before you go!
Fast Facts*
Distance: 7 miles (11.3 km) round trip
Positive elevation gain: 700 feet (215 m)
Height above: 6,508 feet (1,983 m)
Duration: 3-4 hours round trip
Difficulty: Easy / Medium
*These statistics apply to the East Mesa Trail to the observation point
Viewpoint Trail: what to expect
The East Mesa Trail to the Observation point is very tame and simple.
I would classify this as easy for most people, although it can be a little more difficult if you go in the middle of the day, when it’s hottest.
Most of the hike is flat, but it goes down a little towards the end, which means that you will have to regain altitude on the way back.
The trail starts quite boring, but that didn’t bother us because we were mainly looking forward to the end view at the viewpoint.
We saw very few hikers on the way to the Lookout, although we passed a lot of people on the way back to the trailhead.
Some pine trees along this trail will also give you a nice shade along the trail, which is a bit unusual for Utah.
Finally, after about an hour of walking, we got our first glimpse of the huge walls of Zion Canyon Below us on the right.
These views are already breathtaking, but the best is yet to come!
Views at the observation point
When you first arrive at the gazebo, the panoramic view hits you like a ton of bricks.
In front of you are many of the best sights of Zion, such as the great white throne, Cathedral mountain and Angels Landing.
We could even see the little people walking to the top of Angels Landing, and the roads and shuttles looked like toys in the distance.
The elevation here at the observation point is 6,508 feet (1,983 m), which is more than 700 feet above Angels Landing, so you can really see Zion National Park from a bird’s eye view.
It’s a fantastic landscape, and since this hike is less popular than other places in Zion, you don’t have to worry about sharing it with large crowds like Angels Landing and The Narrows.
In fact, if you leave early on a weeknight, you might even have the space to yourself, with the exception of a few chipmunks walking around looking for snacks.
Security at the observation point
According to the book passed away and rescues in Zion National Park by Dave Nally, there have only been a handful of passed away in the last 50 years while hiking to the observation point:
May 1997-Patricia Bottarini, 36, of Ottawa, Illinois, fell 500 feet to her passed away while hiking with her husband. Her passed away was treated as suspicious and her husband was charged but ultimately acquitted by a hung Jury.
March 1978-David Bourne, 20, of Lafayette, Idaho, crashed at 180 feet at night while camping near the observation point.
September 1969-Norman Chin, 54, of Fullerton, California, fell 1,200 feet after apparently slipping near a ledge while taking photos.
