Court of the Patriarchs Trail | Zion National Park

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Court of the Patriarchs Viewpoint
in Zion National Park

Trails | Zion Add Comments | Trail Rating: Forgetable

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Zion hike

The Court of the Patriarchs is considered the shortest trail in Zion National Park, and in truth it barely qualifies as a hike. You will probably walk further to get from your car to the shuttle at the park visitor center than you will to get to the end of this trail.

From the Court of the Patriarchs shuttle stop, head east up the paved trail to the viewpoint. The “hike” takes a minute to ascend 40 feet to a short rise in the bottom of Zion Canyon. The spot is just high enough to get a view over the trees at the surrounding mountains and canyon walls.

Patriarchs Peaks Zion
Looking down the trail at a peak south of the Patriarchs

Patriarchs Peaks Zion
Looking up at the Patriarchs

The Patriarchs are three neighboring sandstone peaks on the west side of Zion Canyon. Each is named after biblical fathers. From left to right (south to north) they are Abraham Peak, Isaac Peak, and Jacob Peak. Abraham Peak is the tallest at 6,890 feet. The peaks were named by Frederick Vining Fisher, a Methodist minister who ventured into Zion in 1916, labeling numerous prominent points in Zion Canyon. He decided to name these three peaks after Old Testament daddies, and the titles stuck.

Patriarchs Peaks Zion
A view of the Patriarchs from the shuttle stop

To get to the trailhead: Between May and October, access to Zion Canyon is restricted to shuttle traffic only. From the Zion National Park Visitor Center, hop on the park shuttle and take it to the third stop, Court of the Patriarchs.

Use the map below to create your own directions:

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Nearby Trails

	Emerald Pools This 2.6-mile loop visits three tiers of enchanting pools by incorporating the Lower, Middle, and Upper Emerald Pools Trails.
	Weeping Rock This 0.4-mile hike visits an alcove in the sandstone wall of Zion Canyon where water seeps out of the rock, nourishing hanging gardens and plentiful vegetation.
	Hidden Canyon This 4.5-mile hike ascends the east rim of Zion Canyon above Weeping Rock, and then crosses dramatic cliffs to reach a hanging canyon housing a small natural arch.
	Angel’s Landing This 5.2-mile hike takes an incredible route up the east rim of Zion Canyon ascending to a towering slab of sandstone jutting into the center of the canyon. The expansive views and thousand foot drop-offs have made this trail world famous.
	More trails in Utah Explore other hikes in Utah outside of Zion National Park.