Zion National Park · Utah

Sand Bench Trail

4,203 ft–4,206 ft · wood surface · trail class Fully Developed · hiking, horse

Sand Bench the Park Service's write-up

1-4 Hours · no dogs · season Seasonal commercial horse tours are available from March to October. These tours are offered through a <a href="https://www.canyonrides.com/horseback-riding-zion-national-park/">concessioner</a>.

Start Emerald Pools Trailhead

A cloudy blue sky over red sandstone mountains, with green foliage dotting their foothills.
The Sand Bench Trail has excellent view of many Zion landmarks. Photo: NPS/ Darcy McKinley Lester

The Sand Bench Trail travels atop the remains of an ancient rockfall. This trail leads hikers along the Virgin River and then ascends a landslide that dammed the Virgin River 8,000 years ago and created a lake that extended to Angels Landing. This trail is a commercial horse trail from March to October, and it receives little shade in the hot, summer sun. Winter travel is possible, but watch for patches of ice.

Water and restrooms are available at The Zion Lodge .

Accessibility From Court of the Patriarchs to Zion Lodge Length (one way) | 1.5 (2.4 km) Elevation | Gain: 206.7 ft (63.0 m) | Loss: 235.2 ft (71.7 m) Grade | Typical: 5.5% | Maximum: 32.3% | 22.7% of the trail is at an 8.3% or higher grade. Cross Slope | Typical: 3.8% | Maximum: 23.1% Tread Width | Typical: 60 in (153.5 cm) | Minimum: 15 in (38.1 cm) Surface | 84.3% of the trail is firm soil, 10.3% is very soft sand, 3.9% is soft sand, and 1.5% is hard rock. Obstructions | Bridge 45 in (114.3 cm) wide | Steps up to 9 in (22.9 cm) tall Loop Trail from Court of the Patriarchs Length (round-trip) | 3.9 mi (6.3 km) Elevation | Gain: 1037.6 ft (316.2 m) | Loss: 748 ft (228.0 m) Grade | Typical: 8.7% | Maximum: 36% | 35.6% of the trail is at a 10% or higher grade. Cross Slope | Typical: 3.6% | Maximum: 22.8% Tread Width | Typical: 46 in (116.9 cm) | Minimum: 6 in (15.2 cm) Surface | 7.7% of the trail is hard rock, 19.3% is firm soil, 6.4% is soft soil, and 66.6% is very soft sand. Obstructions | Bridge 45 in (114.3 cm) wide | Creek crossing: Water level changes seasonally. Crossing through shallow water may be required. | Steps up to 21 in (53.3 cm) tall, with 0 in remaining tread Last assessed on March 19, 2025. Obstructions less than 7 in (17.8 cm) tall, or outside the tread area of 20 in (50.8 cm) wide by 96 in (243.8 cm) high, were not reported.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 44 trails in Zion National ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.