Zion National Park · Utah

West Rim Trail

14 mi of trail, end to end · about 1,400 ft of climbing · 4,600 ft of descent · 4,276 ft–7,462 ft · native surface · hiking

ViewsBackcountry campsBridges

7,462 ft 4,276 ft · 14 mi high 7,462 ft

Along the way West Rim 2 West Rim 3 West Rim 4 West Rim 5 West Rim 6 West Rim 7 Bridge West Rim Trailhead

Trailhead Lava Point 7,469 ft Drive there

West Rim to Scout Lookout the Park Service's write-up

3-4 Hours · no dogs

Start Kayenta & West Rim Trailhead

A hiker with an orange backpack standing on sandstone looks at the Angels Landing peak.
Hiker on Scout Lookout looking towards Angels Landing and the Great White Throne. Photo: NPS

The strenuous West Rim Trail ascends ~1,000 ft (305 m) to Scout Lookout, high above the canyon floor. Hikers cross the Virgin River and then ascend a series of steep switchbacks along the canyon wall. The trail flattens out as it enters Refrigerator Canyon, offering relief from the heat and elevation gain of the previous segment, but resumes the climb shortly afterward at Walter’s Wiggles: a series of 21 switchbacks that leads hikers to Scout Lookout, a relatively flat, sandy area with some shade.

At Scout Lookout, there is a junction with the West Rim Trail and the route to Angels Landing. Many hikers choose to stop here to enjoy the views of Zion Canyon, or to look for the endangered California condors that call the cliffs home. Those looking to continue hiking to the end of Angels Landing will need a permit from recreation.gov .

Water and restrooms are available at The Grotto, and restrooms are available at Scout Lookout. There is no water available at Scout Lookout.

Accessibility Length (one way) | 1.9 mi (3 km) Elevation | Gain: 1187 ft (361.8 m) | Loss: 63 ft (19.2 m) Grade | Typical: 12.9% | Maximum: 43% | 67% of the trail is at an 8.3% or higher grade. Cross Slope | Typical: 3.7% | Maximum: 18.7% Tread Width | Typical: 63 in (159.2 cm) | Minimum: 21 in (53.3 cm) Surface | 81.1% of the trail is hard concrete, 17.3% is concrete covered in firm soil, and 1.7% is soft sand. Obstructions | Overhanging rocks 173.4 ft (52.9 m) long with a minimum vertical clearance of 7 ft (2.1 m). There is 45 in (114.3 cm) of remaining tread. | Steps up to 6 in (15.2 cm) tall, with 0 in remaining tread Last assessed on March 10, 2025. Obstructions less than 4 in (10.2 cm) tall, or outside the tread area of 15 in (38.1 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.