Zion National Park is incredible.

We were lucky to get a camping spot in the heart of Springdale, only a few minutes walk from the park entrance. The Zion National Park has a walk-in campsite (South Campsite) itself, but in the peak summer months we were told it was full by 7:30am each day, with people lining up from 5am to be sure they get a spot.

Day 1 in Zion for us started by getting up to Observation Point to take in our surroundings from the east rim of the canyon walls. The trail starts from the Weeping Rock bus drop-off point and immediately starts to zig-zag up the canyon wall.

The ascent to Observation Point – you can see the trail zig-zag at the top of the cliff

After a short while it rounds a corner and you suddenly find yourself in a narrow, winding canyon as the trail flattens for a short distance.

Disappearing into the canyon on the Observation Point Trail

Trail running in the canyons of Zion National Park

Running the canyons to Observation Point, Zion National Park

After the narrow canyon, the trail opens back up and you begin to climb the steep canyon walls again.

Climbing the trails cut into the side of canyon walls in Zion National Park

Nearing the east rim of the canyon in Zion National Park

Once on top, the trail follows the east rim of the canyon for about 1km. It passes several turn-offs for other trails over the mesa, but keep taking the left turns and you’ll soon arrive at Observation Point, which provides excellent views of the canyon and overlooks Angel’s Landing.

View from Observation Point, Zion National Park

On the way back down we decided to go and explore Hidden Canyon. A short detour off the main Observation Point trail, only a couple of hundred meters from the trail head. Access involves a short traversing around a rock face with chains for those who are uncomfortable with exposed sections – an experience that becomes somewhat frequent in Zion National Park.

Access to Hidden Canyon in Zion National Park