Hike Zion’s East Mesa Trail: Enjoy Stunning Views, Easy Terrain And Fewer Crowds At Observation Point

Published on August 17, 2025

Zion National Park successful Utah is simply a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, known for its stunning landscapes and thrilling hikes. While nan Angels Landing way draws nan astir attraction for its steep climbs and breathtaking views, there’s different way successful Zion that offers arsenic spectacular panoramas without nan overwhelming crowds aliases vertigo-inducing heights. The East Mesa Trail, starring to Observation Point, provides a much accessible yet conscionable arsenic awesome measurement to acquisition Zion from above.

How to Get to nan East Mesa Trail

Nearby Airports:

St. George Regional Airport (SGU) – Only 45 miles from Zion National Park, perfect for location travel.

Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS) – About 170 miles away, this is nan nearest awesome airdrome for world flights.

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – Approximately 300 miles from Zion, offering a scope of recreation options to nan park.

These airports connection fantabulous entree to Zion, and rental cars aliases shuttles tin easy carrier visitors to nan parkland and nan East Mesa Trailhead.

Visitor Numbers and Popularity

Zion National Park attracts astir 4.5 cardinal visitors annually, and while Angels Landing is famous, nan East Mesa Trail sees less hikers, making it a cleanable replacement for those seeking bid and quiet successful this different engaged park. The way offers a serene experience, perfect for travelers looking to debar ample crowds while still experiencing Zion’s grandeur.

Top Attractions Along nan East Mesa Trail

Observation Point: The trail’s endpoint, Observation Point, offers immoderate of Zion’s astir breathtaking views. Sitting astatine 6,508 feet, it towers complete Angels Landing by much than 700 feet, providing a panoramic view of Zion Canyon, nan winding Virgin River, and nan surrounding stone formations. Unlike Angels Landing, which requires navigating steep cliffs and chains, nan East Mesa Trail is much accessible and offers arsenic stunning vistas without nan risks aliases crowds.

Wind Mesa and Ponderosa Pine Forests: The East Mesa Trail offers a serene locomotion done ponderosa conifer forests, providing shadiness and tranquility on nan way. Unlike immoderate of Zion’s much challenging hikes, this way is comparatively easy and gentle, making it suitable for families and little knowledgeable hikers. As nan way approaches its summit, nan scenery opens up, revealing sweeping views of Zion’s canyons and stone formations.

Adventure Activities Along nan East Mesa Trail

Hiking: The East Mesa Trail is 6.8 miles round-trip pinch conscionable 300 feet of elevation gain, making it a comparatively easy and non-technical route. It’s a awesome action for those looking to bask a peaceful, scenic locomotion done Zion’s wilderness. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker aliases a family pinch children, this way offers a relaxing yet rewarding experience.

Wildlife Viewing: Zion’s East Mesa Trail offers awesome opportunities for wildlife watching. Along nan way, visitors whitethorn spot deer, bighorn sheep, and various type of birds. Early greeting aliases evening hikes are nan champion times to spot wildlife, arsenic animals thin to beryllium much progressive during these times.

Photography and Scenic Views: For photographers, nan East Mesa Trail is simply a dream. With stunning landscape vistas, nan way provides nan cleanable mounting for capturing Zion’s earthy beauty. The sunrise and sunset complete Zion Canyon are peculiarly spectacular, casting aureate ray crossed nan cliffs and creating cleanable photograph opportunities.

Camping and Picnicking: Zion offers various camping options, specified arsenic Watchman Campground and South Campground, some adjacent nan East Mesa Trail. For those who for illustration a much primitive experience, location are campsites on nan Virgin River wherever visitors tin bask fishing, kayaking, and relaxing by nan water. Zion’s campgrounds besides connection picnicking areas, making it a cleanable spot to unwind aft a hike.

Upcoming Concerts and Events successful Zion National Park

While Zion is known for its outdoor beauty, it besides hosts respective taste events passim nan year, particularly during nan summer. One of nan astir celebrated is nan Zion Canyon Music Festival, which brings unrecorded performances from section musicians to nan park, allowing visitors to bask Zion’s earthy beauty while experiencing section culture.

Upcoming Event: Zion Canyon Music Festival 2025: This arena offers a awesome opportunity to bask live music, section food, and stunning views successful nan bosom of Zion National Park. It’s an fantabulous measurement to acquisition Zion’s taste broadside aft a time of hiking.

Best Time to Visit Zion and Hike nan East Mesa Trail

The champion clip to sojourn Zion National Park is during nan spring and fall, erstwhile temperatures are mild, and nan parkland is little crowded. The East Mesa Trail is peculiarly perfect for summer hiking owed to its higher elevation, which keeps temperatures much mean compared to nan little parts of Zion. If you’re visiting successful nan summer, early greeting hikes are recommended to debar nan power and nan crowds, and to seizure nan champion ray astatine Observation Point.

Winter and early spring tin beryllium challenging owed to nan anticipation of snowfall and muddy way conditions, but these seasons connection solitude and a unique, quieter experience.

Why Hike nan East Mesa Trail This Summer?

The East Mesa Trail is simply a cleanable summertime destination for anyone wanting to acquisition Zion National Park’s beauty without nan aggravated crowds aliases strenuous climbs. The Observation Point position is 1 of nan park’s best-kept secrets, offering a immense view of Zion Canyon from above. With minimal elevation summation and a comparatively easy trail, it’s accessible to a wide scope of hikers, from families to seasoned adventurers.

If you’re looking to bask Zion’s iconic beauty without nan accent of crowded trails, nan East Mesa Trail offers nan cleanable equilibrium of adventure, relaxation, and scenic beauty. It’s nan perfect prime for visitors looking to research Zion’s hidden gems and acquisition nan parkland successful a much serene and little crowded way.