Your Guide to Hiking Weeping Rock Zion–Now Reopened!

Arika Bauer
43 minutes ago
4 min read

Imagine a hike with a lovely stream, incredible views, hanging gardens, and an alcove with an endless stream of water weeping from the rock wall overhead. This is real, and you’ll find it on the Weeping Rock Zion trail…but up until recently, you had to imagine it because the whole area was closed for a long time due to damage from a significant rockfall.

Now that it has finally reopened, you can actually hike to Weeping Rock Zion and see the stunning beauty of this oasis in the desert for yourself!

Important Info for Hiking Weeping Rock Zion

The trail to Weeping Rock Zion was closed for nearly two years after a rockfall in November 2023 that damaged many parts of the trail. After extensive work by maintenance crews to repair the damage and an assessment of the rock by geologists, Weeping Rock reopened in September 2025, and you can finally hike this unique trail again.

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NOTE: Other trails that had access from the Weeping Rock trailhead, including Hidden Canyon and the East Rim Trail to Observation Point, continue to be closed.

FEES & PERMITS

Permits are not required to hike to Weeping Rock Zion. However, you will need to pay the Zion National Park entrance fee ($35/vehicle) or use an annual National Parks pass to get into the park to access the trail.

LOCATION

Weeping Rock Zion is located down the main canyon, 6.4 miles from the Zion National Park Visitor Center. To get there when the Zion Shuttle is running, you will take the shuttle to Stop #7 for Weeping Rock. The Zion Shuttle is free to ride, and no reservation is required.

For everything you need to know about riding the shuttle, check out my full guide to the Zion Shuttle here!

LENGTH

The Weeping Rock Zion trail is only 0.4 miles round trip, so it’s a quick hike that really packs a punch with everything you get to see in such a short span.

DIFFICULTY

Hiking Weeping Rock Zion is easy, though the trail is slightly steep, with about 100 feet of elevation gain to reach the alcove at the end. You can do this trail quickly in about half an hour or so, but I would recommend taking some time to savor the unique hanging gardens and water features of Weeping Rock. This really is a special place!

If you’re looking for more easy hikes in Zion, check out my blog post here!

Note: The Weeping Rock trail is paved, but it is fairly narrow with some stairs at the end, so it is not accessible for wheelchairs or recommended for strollers.

***Hiking Weeping Rock in the winter is icy but stunning

WHEN TO HIKE WEEPING ROCK ZION

You can hike Weeping Rock any time of the year, but spring will offer the most water runoff, and you might be able to catch the cascading waterfall that forms from Echo Canyon. During drier months, the water you’ll find at Weeping Rock is more of a trickle. Fall will have less water running, but is still a lovely time of year with the changing colors in Zion National Park.

Weeping Rock is also a good trail to hike in Zion in the summer, since it has plenty of shade, unlike lots of other hikes in the park. You can even hike Weeping Rock in the winter, but watch out for slick spots on the trail where the water can make it icy.

Find out more about the best time to visit Zion National Park in my blog post here!

Trail Details for Hiking Weeping Rock Zion

You’ll start the short hike to Weeping Rock Zion by crossing the bridge from the parking area then turning left onto the paved trail. Continue up the narrow trail, which has some steep sections and minor dropoffs. The trail winds through lots of lush vegetation, thanks to all the water runoff from the Weeping Rock.

After your brief hike, you’ll reach the amazing alcove at the end of the trail, which will take your breath away. Here you can see the lush hanging gardens of plants growing out of the rock, while water seeps through the Navajo sandstone and trickles down the cliff edge. Believe me, it is absolutely beautiful to behold.

And that’s not all! You also get some incredible views of the Great White Throne from the alcove, and you can see Angels Landing, Big Bend, and Cable Mountain, too. Weeping Rock Zion truly offers so much in such a short hike, and I’m really glad this trail has reopened!

Find more gorgeous waterfall hikes in southern Utah in my blog post here!

WHAT CAUSES THE ROCK TO WEEP?

The Navajo sandstone in Zion is quite porous, and water that accumulates from rain and melting snow will seep into the rock. Deeper layers of the rock are less permeable, and the water will then be forced out laterally, causing the rock to “weep.” This constant dripping water allows ferns and plants to grow out of the rock and create the hanging gardens you see in the alcove at Weeping Rock.

Other places in Zion to find hanging gardens like this include Emerald Pools and Riverside Walk.

Tips for Hiking Weeping Rock Zion

Despite it being a paved trail, Weeping Rock is not considered wheelchair-accessible because it is narrow and has some steep sections.
Pit toilets are available in the parking area, but there is no drinking water available at the Weeping Rock trailhead, so make sure to bring all the water you need.
You will have to take the free Zion shuttle to access Weeping Rock most of the year. Personal vehicles are only allowed in the main canyon in Zion during the winter when the shuttles aren’t running.
Weeping Rock is the only trail that has reopened in this area. Other trails with access from the Weeping Rock trailhead, including Hidden Canyon and the East Rim Trail to Observation Point, remain closed. You can check the Zion NPS website for condition updates on all trails in the park.