Hiking Shuttle: Observation Point and Cable Mountain

Yes — both trailheads are within Zion National Park boundaries. You must present a valid America the Beautiful annual pass or pay the park entrance fee when entering the park. The shuttle fee covers transportation only and does not include park admission.

The return shuttle picks up at the drop-off point every hour on the half hour. No advance booking is needed for the return — simply be at the pickup point when you're ready.

Dogs are not permitted on trails within Zion National Park, including the East Mesa and Stave Springs trails. Please leave pets at your accommodation.

The shuttle is best used from late spring through late fall (approximately May–October), when weather and road conditions are most reliable. In winter, snow and ice can make the dirt access road impassable.

The classic Observation Point trail from Weeping Rock on the Zion Canyon floor — which climbed 2,148 feet (655 m) in 4 miles — has been closed indefinitely by the National Park Service due to ongoing rockfall hazard. The East Mesa Trail, which begins outside the park's east entrance, is now the primary and most accessible route. It's actually a gentler hike — the elevation gain from the East Mesa trailhead is only around 300 feet (91 m), making this one of the most rewarding hike-to-payoff ratios in the park.

Many experienced Zion hikers argue Observation Point is actually the superior viewpoint. From Observation Point at 6,521 feet (1,988 m), you can look directly down onto Angels Landing — giving you a bird's-eye perspective of the hike and the full sweep of Zion Canyon from above. Angels Landing offers dramatic views from within the canyon; Observation Point gives you the overview of the entire canyon system. It's also far less crowded than Angels Landing and requires no permit.

In 1901, a Springdale pioneer named David Flanigan engineered a remarkable cable system on Cable Mountain to solve a logging problem. The system used a series of wooden towers and steel cables to lower timber from the 6,496-foot (1,980 m) plateau down over 2,000 feet (610 m) to the canyon floor in just two minutes — a journey that would have taken wagons three to seven days round trip. The timber was used to build homes and infrastructure in the early settlements of southern Utah. When the lumber supply atop the mountain was depleted, the towers on the canyon floor were removed, but the original wooden headframe and cable drum structure still stand at the summit and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Both trails are well-defined and generally easy to follow. The East Mesa Trail meanders through ponderosa pine forest with clear signage. The Cable Mountain approach via the Stave Springs Trail is also clearly marked to the main junction. That said, cell service at the trailhead and along the trails can be limited — it is strongly recommended to download an offline trail map (AllTrails, Gaia GPS, or similar) before leaving the resort.

They depart from different trailheads — Observation Point from East Mesa and Cable Mountain from Stave Springs — so combining them in a single day is not practical as a self-guided hike using the shuttle.

The East Rim plateau above Zion is home to mule deer, wild turkeys, Steller's jays, ravens, red-tailed hawks, and occasional California condors soaring on thermals above the canyon. The ponderosa pine forest along the East Mesa Trail is a productive area for birdwatching. Mountain lions are native to the region but extremely rarely encountered.

Our guides are local experts with deep knowledge of the geology, history, wildlife, and ecology of southern Utah. Guides are trained in safety protocols and first aid, and are dedicated to providing both educational and entertaining experiences tailored to each group.

We recommend booking at least 2 weeks in advance, and several months ahead for large groups or peak season visits to ensure availability.

Our guides follow Leave No Trace principles on all tours. Guests are asked to pack out all waste, stay on designated paths, and respect all plants, wildlife, and rock formations. We operate in and around federally protected lands and take stewardship of those landscapes seriously.

The East Zion and southern Utah region is home to mule deer, coyotes, jackrabbits, lizards, hawks, eagles, ravens, and a variety of desert songbirds. Mountain lions are native to the area but extremely rarely encountered. Rattlesnakes are present in the region but generally avoid human contact — wearing closed-toe shoes and watching where you place your hands is good practice.

Most tours run rain or shine. However, if severe weather creates unsafe conditions, we will offer guests a different date or a full refund. For tours involving dirt road access (such as Candy Cliffs and White Pocket), road conditions after rain may require rescheduling.