Photographing Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks

Observation Point

Strenuous

Observation Point offers the most complete view you can get of Zion Valley and Angels Landing. And it’s a shot that will impress if done at all well. The best lighting, of course, is morning and evening. The canyon heads south-southwest from here and the afternoon glow suffuses the canyon, especially during winter months.

But with a four-mile hike in each direction, folks don’t generally get here early enough to capture much morning. If you’re here at sunset, you’re likely to get an awesome shot – but you’ll have a long walk back in the dark. Luckily you can get a powerful picture even at mid-day. (Doing some post-processing will soften the hard edge of mid-day light.)

There are several impressive photo locations along the way. Echo Canyon’s about half way up and folks often stop here for water break or lunch. And it’s an unusual slot and a neat spot to shoot. The section where the trail returns to the main valley is a second primo location, one that too many folks miss.

Trail Specs

Weeping Rock bus stop

The trip up to Observation Point is one of the most challenging in the park — 2,200 feet of vertical gain, 4 miles each way. The trail begins at the Weeping Rock bus stop. Follow the Observation Point signs and head uphill.

The first section has a number of long switchbacks. Thankfully, about halfway up the trail levels off and you’re in Echo Canyon. Just past Echo, the trail heads away from the main valley, towards East Rim Trail.

Continue on the main trail (rather than the East Rim fork) and you get to climb yet another set of switchbacks. The geology here is a bit like Checkerboard Mesa.

After 30 or so switchbacks, the trail brings you back to Zion Valley but now you’re close to the top of that valley wall. Once you reach the top of the mesa, there’s half a mile of flat trail to Observation Point.

Trail photo: There are plenty of potential shots down-valley along this section of trail – with twisted pines in the foreground and a valley that stretches to forever.

On Location: Observation Point

That final valley overlook trail shares compositional elements with Observation Point. Both have a choice of foreground elements, both give a classic down-valley look. But at Observation Point, you have Angels Landing dominating mid-ground.

Specifics

• Lens: Wide-angle for full valley shot. Medium or telephoto lens to do tighter framing or get close on Angels Landing.

• Aperture: If you use foreground elements, set f-stop for full DOF.

• Filter: Polarizer, especially since you’re probably here between 10 am and 3 pm.

• Tripod: Not necessary, there should be enough light for handheld.

Composition

Observation Point is an expansive vista and many photographers do too much. Go wide enough or do a pano and you can get everything from the south wall and valley to the Temple of Sinawava. But with this much expanse, it’s easy for the photographer to just start shooting.

It’s generally better to stick with clear composition choices—how much of the left and right side of the valley do you want? Where will the eye enter the scene? Where’s the distant end point? And if you’re at Observation Point, deciding how much of Angels Landing to include.Using a foreground element to lead the eye into the composition can help.

You can go either landscape or portrait mode given the depth of the valley. But the valley should be your star, not the miles of plateau mesa that spread out on either side.

Lighting

If you can do the Observation Point shot before or after the 10-3 time frame, do it. The colors and the sense of depth will get better with the glow and side lighting. If you’re shooting at noon, Lightroom can pull more detail out of the harsh shadows and soften the highlights. My Lightroom chapter will get you started.