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Zion’s Canyon Overlook Trail: A Walk Above Pine Creek Canyon

By Tyler Barks June 10, 2022 About 3 min read

We took our time on Zion's Canyon Overlook Trail, arrived before sunset, and stayed for the changing light. Here is how the evening went and what I would prepare for.

We gave ourselves an evening for Zion's Canyon Overlook, taking photographs along the walk and staying through sunset before returning with lights.

Zion canyon walls above the winding Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

Canyon Overlook is one of my favorite hikes in Zion. I found the walk manageable, and we gave ourselves plenty of time to take photographs along the way. The whole outing was around three hours for us, but a lot of that was time spent enjoying the overlook rather than just walking.

We got to the view roughly forty-five minutes before sunset and stayed about forty-five minutes afterward, then used lights on the way back. That was how we chose to spend the evening, not how long everyone needs for the trail. The uneven ground takes more attention once it gets dark.

Walking beneath the sandstone

The trail includes sandstone steps, uneven ground and sections beneath an overhang. Wear shoes with reliable traction and keep your hands free on awkward sections.

Following the trail beneath a sandstone overhang

A trail with a history of its own

Canyon Overlook began as the Great Arch Trail. National Park Service landscape architect Harry Langley designed it, and Civilian Conservation Corps crews built it in 1933. The steps, retaining walls and footbridge were part of the work needed to create a walking route across this terrain. The park’s history of the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway includes the story of the trail.

That makes this more than a short walk to an overlook. It is also a chance to experience one of the routes developed as Zion became accessible to more travelers. The trail ends above Pine Creek Canyon; it is not the technical canyoneering route through the canyon below.

Sandstone and shrubs framing distant Zion cliffs, with small figures along the overlook approach

Exploring Zion’s east side

The trailhead is near the east end of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. When the highway opened in 1930, it helped connect Zion with Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon as part of a regional road trip. The highway’s construction history explains why the tunnel was such an important part of that connection.

Consider Canyon Overlook when planning an east-side visit, rather than assuming it is a stop on the main canyon shuttle. Our Zion guide explains the two areas and how to plan transportation between them.

A pause among the sandstone at Canyon Overlook

Planning your hike

Canyon Overlook is a moderate, one-mile round trip; allow roughly one to two hours. It includes sandstone steps and uneven rocky terrain.

Parking near the trailhead on Zion’s east side is extremely limited. Check the official trail page and leave flexibility in your plans.

Canyon Overlook is still one of my favorite Zion hikes. We made an evening of it rather than treating it as a quick stop. If you stay late too, plan for the rocky return, carry dependable lights, and give yourself more time than the distance alone suggests.

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