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West Rim Trail

Difficult Difficult
 4.8 (55)
  1. Areas
  2. UT
  3. …Southwestern Utah
  4. …Zion National Park
  5. Lava Point
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“A major trail leading from Zion NP's frontcountry deep into the backcountry. ”

Brian Smith
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14.7

Miles

23.6

KM

Point to Point

7,453' 2,272 m

High

4,338' 1,322 m

Low

867' 264 m

Up

3,981' 1,214 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

78%

Max Grade (38°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

The trail starts at the West Rim Trailhead near Lava Point and traverses across the high alpine elevation with sweeping views out into the Wildcat Canyon area for the first 6.5 miles as you drop into Potato Hollow. Next, the trail climbs out of Potato Hollow before it splits into the Telephone Canyon Trail and the West Rim Trail.

The West Rim Trail follows along the rim with views of Phantom Valley and the canyons to the south. Although it is a little scary to hike so close to precipitous drop-off, this trail is well worth the journey. The views across Right Fork Canyon are astounding.

These include:
  • Church Mesa
  • Inclined Temple
  • Ivins Mountain
  • and Greatheart Mesa

Near its southern terminus, this trail passes the famed Angel's Landing hike. This is not to be missed!

Flora & Fauna

This trail traverses multiple ecosystems and therefore highlights much of the ecological diversity in the park.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Zion National Park

Shared By:

Brian Smith with improvements by Chad Caton
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 55 votes

#1

in Lava Point

#26

Overall
  4.8 from 55 votes
5 Star
78%
4 Star
20%
3 Star
2%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Lava Point

#4

in Utah

#26

Overall
44 Views Last Month
8,780 Since Feb 4, 2015
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Add a Photo

Photos

Looking down over the trail to Angels Landing.
Dec 19, 2015 near Springdale, UT
On the way up
Oct 12, 2017 near Springdale, UT
The West Rim Trail never disappoints.
Apr 27, 2017 near Springdale, UT
First set of switch backs.
Jan 15, 2016 near Springdale, UT
Angel's Landing
Feb 4, 2015 near Springdale, UT
Zion National Park
Oct 2, 2017 near Springdale, UT

2 Comments

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Nov 25, 2023
Grace Gordon
Oct 6, 2023
Daniel Fortune
Jun 25, 2023
Gerald Murphy
hiked with Jordan
Jun 12, 2023
Cody Hull
May 24, 2023
Jane Schaefer
7mi — 3h 00m
May 23, 2023
J Rai
The Grotto to Scout Lookout + another .6 miles further on West Rim - out and back 4.8mi — 2h 30m Delete 4.8mi — 2h 22m
Dec 4, 2022
Stephanie Raphael
Aug 28, 2022
Bebe Den
2.3mi — 1h 34m

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