East Rim Trail to Jolley Gulch Viewpoint (Zion)

6 miles - Moderate Effort
Or: 4.5 to Checkerboard Mesa Viewpoint
2-3 Hours (Total)
610 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 6,220 feet
No Dogs Allowed

Just minutes from the park entrance but eons away from the crowds, hiking the East Rim Trail to the Jolley Gulch viewpoint is spectacular. The trail meanders through incredible rock formations, canyons covered in pines, and past stunning views of Checkerboard Mesa and Jolley Gulch. If you want to experience pristine Zion National Park wilderness in relative solitude, this hike is for you.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions for the East Rim Trail
Parking for the Jolley Gulch Hike
Insider Tips and Recommendations for the Hike

Quick Links:
Parks Pass - Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Apr 2024 Gear

Where is East Rim / Jolley Gulch Hike?

The trailhead for this hike is easy to reach. It's seconds from the East Entrance, just inside the park at the East Rim Trailhead. Use this trailhead address:
East Rim Trailhead, Zion National Park, Orderville, UT 84758

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Viewpoint Zion Parking — The road to the East Rim Trailhead is just 300 feet west of the entrance booth. Drive up the road, stay straight, and park at the end.

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 1 — There's a medium-sized parking area that I've never seen full.

Gear For the Hike

The trail is wide, and the grades are gentle on this hike; you don't need anything special. I'd recommend light hiking gear or fitness clothes. The trails are sandy (like most of Zion), so if you wear low gaiters, they'll be good here. Bring at least 1L of water. The trail is mainly exposed and can get hot in the summer.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.

HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

East Rim Trail to Jolley Gulch Maps

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Elevation Profile

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Viewpoint Zion Elevation — The hike is a gentle uphill until we get to Checkerboard Mesa overlook, and then there's a slight downhill to the Jolley Gulch viewpoint. This is a one-way profile. On the way back, you do it in reverse.

3D Map

Jolley Gulch Hike Directions

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 2 — The start of the East Rim Trail is just past the gate at the parking area.

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 3 — You'll see a trail board for the East Rim Trail.

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 4 — The trail starts out sandy and flat as you hike along (the usually dry) Clear Creek wash.

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 5 — The views on either side are spectacular.

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 6 — Shortly after the start you enter the Zion Wilderness. Why does the Wilderness Area start this far back from the start of the trail? Here's why.

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 7 — Continue down the trail as it crosses Clear Creek and a few tributaries.

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 8 — At about 1.3 miles the trail starts to wind to the left into Cave Canyon.

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 10 — The lush slopes of Cave Canyon mixed with the dramatic rock formations have a different feel than the earlier Clear Creek section.

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 11 — At about 1.7 miles the trail doubles back and climbs up the side of Cave Canyon.

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 12 — Follow the East Rim Trail along the upper slope of Cave Canyon (to the left).

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 13 — The trail, once an old wagon route, widens out as it ascends to the tableland that surrounds Zion Canyon.

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 14 — At about 2.2 miles, look to your left for spectacular views into Clear Creek Canyon and over to Checkerboard Mesa.

Why is it called Checkerboard Mesa? If you look closely (which you can from its roadside stop), you'll notice a checkerboard appearance. The horizontal lines are from the many layers of ancient sand dunes; the vertical lines are from cracking due to expansion and contraction during winter.

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 15 — Continue on the wide trail as it starts to go downhill.

If you look at a map, this section of trail is also known as the Hayduke Trail. What's the Hayduke Trail? It's an 800 mile thru-hike, from Arches NP to the Grand Canyon to its end in Zion Canyon. It's named after a character in an Edward Abbey book, and if you don't know who Edward Abbey is, pick up one of his books and you'll be in for a treat.

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 16 — On your left are the ever-narrowing walls of Jolley Canyon.

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 17 — At 2.8 miles there's a steep downhill as you approach the mouth of Jolley Gulch.

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 18 — And here you are, the Jolley Gulch viewpoint.

Who is Jolley (sometimes pronounced "jolly")? Well, he's an early settler and the main character in a local horror story. I'm not sure how much is true, but here goes. Jolley moved here with his wife and two girls in the early 1900s, before Zion became a National Park in 1919. When the family moved here in the spring, a stream flowed down into the gulch. As the year went on, the stream dried up and the family started to face death from dehydration. Jolley walked his wife and kids to the edge of the gulch and pushed them over the side. He then went back to the cabin, wrote down what he did, and then jumped off the side himself. Today the gulch is supposed to be haunted by Jolley.

East Rim Trail To Jolley Gulch Directions 19 — The views down into the 200-foot Jolley Gulch are incredible. Be careful around the edges on the slick rock.

That's the hike! From here, just go back the way you came.

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.