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 farther 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.
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 white top of Jacob Peak rises behind the orange rock of Mount Moroni. The Patriarchs 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.
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.
Trailhead address: Floor of the Valley Road (Zion Canyon Scenic Drive), Zion National Park, Springdale, UT 84767
Trailhead coordinates: 37.2370, -112.9606 (37° 14′ 13.2″N 112° 57′ 38.3″W)
Use the map below to view the trail and get directions:
 | Emerald Pools This 2.4-mile loop visits three tiers of enchanting pools by incorporating the Lower, Middle, and Upper Emerald Pools Trails. |
 | Canyon Overlook Trail This one-mile round trip hike visits a scenic viewpoint looking west over Zion Canyon. |
 | Watchman Trail This 3.5-mile lollipop loop reaches a panoramic overlook on the side of Zion Canyon. |
 | 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 3.3-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. |
 | Angels 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. |
 | Riverside Walk This level walkway follows the Virgin River to the bottom of the narrows north of Zion Canyon, a popular place to hike and swim. |
 | More trails in Utah Explore other hikes in Utah outside of Zion National Park. |
 | Zion Campgrounds There are two large campgrounds at the south end of Zion canyon and another near Kolob Canyon. |
Sounds perfect for my grandma.
During a recent visit, the shuttle driver was pointng out the “Court of the Patriarchs” and mentioned Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He then added that in the background your could see Moroni! What in the world is a Moroni? Was this added by the driver or is it official?
Hi John,
Great addition. It turns out that Mount Moroni is the orange rocky spire that partially blocks the view of Mount Jacob from the Patriarchs Viewpoint.
are hikers allowed to summit the 3patriarchs?
is there a trail to do so?
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