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West Rim Trail

Difficult
 4.8 (53)
  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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Map Key

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

The park has more than a 1,000 species of plants ranging from tall, graceful cottonwoods growing along the river to towering pines and firs shading the higher elevations. Prickly pears, cholla, and yucca are among Zion's desert-adapted plants. The hanging gardens support brilliantly-colored Zion shooting-stars, scarlet monkeyflowers, and Western and golden columbines. 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 53 votes

#1

in Lava Point

#28

Overall
  4.8 from 53 votes
5 Star
79%
4 Star
19%
3 Star
2%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Lava Point

#4

in Utah

#28

Overall
44 Views Last Month
8,780 Since Feb 4, 2015
Difficult
0%
0%
11%
11%
78%
0%
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Photos

Looking down over the trail to Angels Landing.
Dec 19, 2015 near Springdale, UT
The West Rim Trail never disappoints.
Apr 27, 2017 near Springdale, UT
On the way up
Oct 12, 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

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Check-Ins

May 24, 2023
Jane Schaefer
7mi — 3h 00m
Dec 4, 2022
Stephanie Raphael
May 21, 2022
Anne Smith
May 12, 2022
Carissa Bryant
Mar 15, 2022
Annette Miranda
Nov 22, 2021
Kelly Champion-Smith
Leads to Angels Landing. This was super steep before getting to Walters Wiggles part.
Oct 10, 2021
Joyce Widness
Aug 10, 2021
Rachel Ricks

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