Overview: The West Rim Trail is a majestic tour of both the geology and the ecology of Zion. Easily the most popular backpacking route in Zion, this trail begins high in the alpine desert pines of Lava Point and meanders 3,300 feet down over 14 miles to the floor of Zion Canyon. Along the way, you pass the charred remnants of an old forest fire, exquisite fields of eye-catching wildflowers, edge-of-the-rim views of canyon labyritnths, and the awesome sculpted sandstone formations entering upper Zion Canyon. At the Fork between Telephone Canyon and the West Rim, take the West Rim and save Telephone Canyon for another trip. The Rim is the deal with extremely bold lookouts and swift mesa break-aways. Highly recommended.

Trailhead: From Springdale, drive west on SR 9 through Rockville and into Virgin (15 minutes). Just after the Zion River Resort, turn right on the Kolob Mountain road. Drive north for 23 miles, past exquisite scenery, until you reach the posted dirt road to Lava Point, on your right. Follow the road and posted signs to the trailhead. The conditions of the lower reaches of this road are often poor; 4x4 or high-clearance vehicles recommended. Alternatively, savvy hikers hire a shuttle to drop them off at Lava Point, thus avoiding the 2-3 hour drive to retrieve their car after the trip. (If you do not have the luxury of two vehicles, you must hire a shuttle... OR hike back UP to your car!)

Mileage:
Via West Rim: 14.4 miles (23.2 km), one-way
Via Telephone Canyon: 13.0 miles (20.9 km), one-way

Elevation Loss: 3,302 feet (1,004 meters)!!! (From Lava Point to The Grotto)

Approximate Hike Time:
Via West Rim: 6 - 9 hours, one-way
Via Telephone Canyon: 5.5 - 8 hours, one-way

Difficulty: Cardiovascularly moderate, but your knees take a pounding descending 3,300 vertical feet.

Best Times of Day: When we hike the West Rim during summer, we hit the trail between 5 and 6 am. The early start reveals its value around 10 or 11 a.m., when the air begins to shimmer with heat and the cooling effects high-altitude are far behind. Backpackers and spring/fall day hikers can afford a later start, but may still want to get out early to catch the soft morning light over the labyrinth landscape of canyons and mesas.

Best Times of Year: Autumn and late spring are best bets for West Rim. Summer brings soaring temperatures and a busy trail; winter access is impossible without a snowmobile and skis/snowshoes.

Crowds: The West Rim is the most popular backpacking route in the Park, part of the larger Trans-Zion Trek. This doesn't necessarily mean the trail is crowded, but prepared to see a number of smiling faces along the way.

Water Sources: You can usually find water at Sawmill Springs and Potato Hollow, but check at the Visitor's Center for up-to-date information. Purify all water to assure your safety.

Camping: Camping on the West Rim is restricted to nine designated sites. When you obtain your backpacking permit, you will choose your temporary home from the list of available sites.

Don’t Miss:
- At Potato Hollow, peer into the upper reaches of infamous Imlay Canyon, a Class IV dream of many aspiring canyoneers.

- On the West Rim, gaze out on outstanding panoramas of Great West Canyon and the maze-like landscape of canyons and mesas south and east of the trail.

- Near the end of the trail, set your pack down at Scout's Lookout and steal away to check out Angel's Landing; the summit is a short, half-mile scramble away.

Special Notes: