Hard · 4–6 hours
Angels Landing
Chain-assisted ridge to a 1,488-ft platform above Zion Canyon. The most iconic photo in the Southwest.
The Mighty Five & Beyond
Observation Point via East Mesa Trail
Zion's quietest big-vista hike — looking down on Angels Landing from 700 feet above, with no chains and no lottery.
Photo: Matthew Pintar · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 4–5 hours
- From the lodge
- ~1 hr via Twin Knolls Rd
- Type
- Hiking — rim
If Angels Landing's lottery doesn't go your way — or if heights aren't your thing — Observation Point via East Mesa is the answer most guests don't know exists. The 6.7-mile out-and-back rolls through ponderosa pine forest at 6,500 feet, mostly flat, with negligible elevation gain. Then the trees open and you're standing 2,148 feet directly above Zion Canyon, looking *down* on Angels Landing's spine 700 feet below.
No chains, no lottery, no exposure. Just a long, gentle walk that ends in one of the most dramatic viewpoints in the American West. The trail's been the unsung-hero alternative since Observation Point's lower trail (from Weeping Rock) closed in 2019 due to rockfall — and stays the best year-round option.
The trailhead is via Twin Knolls Road off SR-9 East. The road is dirt and rocky in places; high-clearance is recommended, AWD/4WD ideal. East Zion Adventures runs a shuttle if you don't want to drive your rental into questionable terrain. Plan 4-5 hours total including the drive in/out and time at the rim.
Before you go
- Twin Knolls Road is rough — don't take a low-clearance rental; ~30-min drive on dirt each way
- No water or restrooms at the trailhead
- Rim has unprotected drop-offs — keep kids close at the viewpoint
- Trail is exposed once you leave the trees — sun protection in summer
Pair it with
← Back to all experiences
Ready for your observation point via east mesa trail day?
Book your cabin and discover the area at your own pace. The trails start at the door.