Watchman Trail

This trail leaves from a parking lot by the Zion park visitor’s center and climbs to the top of a small mesa below The Watchman. 

Trail description

The trail follows the east bank of the Virgin River for 0.25 mile, where it then leaves the river and crosses a paved road. After crossing the road, the trail climbs a small hill and winds through a few hills near park employee housing. You soon enter a ravine, and after crossing the usually dry creek, the trail begins climbing towards Bridge Mountain. 

The trail continues up the north side of the drainage at a steady pace until it reaches a pouroff, where it climbs some switchbacks to bypass the pouroff. Once the trail reaches the ledge creating the pouroff, it crosses the creek again and travels along a rocky hillside. At the top of the mesa, the trail splits to form a loop that follows the rim. You can hike either way, but the right hand trail provides the shortest route to the viewpoint.

From the viewpoint you can take in the Towers of the Virgin, including Bee Hive Peak, the Sentinel, and Mount Moroni, named after the angel who gave Joseph Smith — the founder of the Mormon Church — the golden tablets upon which the Book of Mormon is based. The viewpoint also offers great vistas of Springdale and the lower part of Zion Canyon.

You can return the way you came or continue around the short loop to experience a classic Colorado Plateau landscape of sandstone ledges; piñon pines; manzanita and buffalo berry bushes; and the twisted, gnarled, weathered remains of ancient juniper trees.

Directions

The trailhead is located at the eastern end of the highway bridge crossing the Virgin River adjacent to the visitor center. Learn about the permit process in Zion ›