East Rim Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

As you take off from the East Rim Trailhead, the trail points directly toward the beautiful sandstone cliffs this area is famous for. The trail climbs up onto the Plateau for the first three miles. At 2.8 miles from the East Rim Trailhead, you'll reach Jolly Gulch. This unmistakable canyon seems to drop out beneath your feet as you see it from the trail. The gulch marks a great turnaround point for a shorter run from the East Entrance and back.

The middle section of the trail wanders across the plateau where the altitude is higher and the weather is a little cooler than the main canyon. The trail passes through a ponderosa pine forest and, after crossing the flat plateau where the ponderosa trees grow, it opens up with amazing views of the Echo Canyon Basin.

Stave Springs is located about five miles from the East Entrance Trailhead or Weeping Rock. It is a pipe in the ground that water comes out of however, it can become dry some years. Be sure and check spring conditions for an update. Near the springs, the Cable Mountain Trail branches off to the left (west). Shortly after, north of the springs, Stave Spring Trail branches to the right and leads to a dirt road which is part of the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort.

Approximate Location of the Spring:
N 3715'40.2"
W 11254'17.1"
Elevation 6493 ft

After running over the rim of the canyon, you sharply descend 2,300 feet down to the floor of Zion Canyon ending at Weeping Rock, passing through Echo Canyon and down the Observation Point Trail.

The East Rim Trail trail is best in the late spring and fall. The trail typically has deep snow in the winter that can remain until late spring. During the summer months the trail can get very dry and hot. This area has no established campsites but does require a permit and is available on a walk-up basis.