Zion National Park, UT - The Canyon Overlook Trail is a simple hike to get you warmed up. It's less than a mile out & back and gives you a taste for what is to come. We arrived at the park without doing a lot of research and wanted to get a feel for the land without heading out on a tram, so we drove into the park and kept to the right on Hwy 9 to the east entrance of the park. It's a short drive that I recommend with lots of areas to pull over and walk around. Plus, you get the experience of driving through the 1.1 mile Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. At the time that the tunnel was dedicated, on July 4, 1930, it was the longest tunnel of its type in the United States. The purpose of building the tunnel was to create direct access to Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon from Zion National Park. If you own a large RV, you'll need to buy a $15 oversized vehicle permit to drive through the tunnel. Rangers will stop the traffic at the other end to allow you to drive through. If you don't own an RV, you'll probably still get stuck in the backup.
The trailhead to the Canyon Overlook is immediately on the right as you exit the tunnel heading east. You'll miss it if you aren't looking for it, but there's another on the opposite side of the road as you are heading back. Parking is scarce, so good luck finding a spot. We got lucky.
As you approach the tunnel on Hwy 9 you will be on a beautiful, winding road that switchbacks up the cliff. You'll see a prominent blind arch in the side of the mountain. The overlook is immediately above it. Keep that in mind as you hike to the overlook so you'll be able to orient yourself. The trail itself is typical of most in the park. It's a collection of stone steps and poured aggregate concrete that is very easy to walk on and cuts down on erosion. The trail passes through a beautiful grotto with ferns and trees and dripping water. If you have a fear of heights you may hug the wall at points as you approach the massive cliff overlook with views that will blow your mind. From here you will see the road below, portals carved through the cliff to the tunnel, and several major landmarks within ZNP. Get as close to the edge as you dare. When the wind kicks up, it's quite a thrill.
