Canyon Overlook Trail,
Zion National Park
The Canyon Overlook Trail is an easy and well-maintained short trail. Families hiking this area should be extra vigilant with children, as it does have the occasional exposed area where the trail is located close to cliff edges. Once at the viewpoint, the views of the inner canyon are amazing. Bridge Mountain, the West Temple, Alter of Sacrifice, the Streaked Wall and the Sentinel are all visible from this viewpoint. Below the trail and along the bed of the inner canyon floor is a long curved slit in the rock known as Pine Creek, a very popular destination for canyoneering.
Elevation
The Canyon Overlook Trail has a maximum elevation of 5,257 ft., a minimum elevation of 5,104 ft. and an elevation range of 153 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 0.5 mi | 5,104 ft | 5,257 ft | 153 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 15 min | 12.5 | 150 ft | 0 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 13 min | 0.0 | 0 ft | 150 ft |
Calories
The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.
Topo Maps
Download the PDF Canyon Overlook Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.
Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend
- Northwest Topo Map: The Guardian Angels, UT
- North Topo Map: Temple of Sinawava, UT
- Northeast Topo Map: Clear Creek Mountain, UT
- West Topo Map: Springdale West, UT
- Topo Map: Springdale East, UT
- East Topo Map: The Barracks, UT
- Southwest Topo Map: Smithsonian Butte, UT
- South Topo Map: Hildale, UT
- Southeast Topo Map: Elephant Butte, UT
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Canyon Overlook Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.
FAQ
What is the length of the Canyon Overlook Trail?
The length of the trail is 0.5 miles (0.8 km) or 1,045 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Canyon Overlook Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 15 minutes in one direction and in 13 minutes in the opposite direction.
Warnings
Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov)
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) may be present in this area. The Rocky Mountain wood tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Colorado Tick Fever, and Tularemia.
- The Western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) may be present in this area. The Western blacklegged tick transmits Anaplasmosis and Lyme Disease.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.