Hiking the Sand Bench Trail in Zion National Park
Distance: 4.2 miles / 6.8 km
The Sand Bench Trail in Zion National Park is one of the best and one of my personal favorite day hikes in the park because it offers numerous beautiful viewpoints of both Zion and Pine Creek Canyon, and the trail sees far fewer visitors compared to other busy hikes, such as the Angels Landing Trail and The Narrows.
In addition to this, the Sand Bench Loop Trail is also one of the best trail-running adventures in Zion National Park because the elevation changes are so mild compared to countless hikes in the park.
This is all to say that I see the Sand Bench Loop as the perfect casual adventure when you’re looking to escape the busyness of other areas in Springdale and Zion Canyon—especially on a cool, cloudy day, as shown in the photo below!
Sand Bench Trailhead Parking
Parking for any trail in Zion Canyon is located either at the Zion Visitor Center, or the Zion Human History Museum.
From either of these two locations, you need to ride the Zion Canyon Shuttle to the trailhead. Be aware that after 9 a.m. during most times of the year, parking in these two spots becomes extremely competitive, and the park service may shut down parking altogether and tell you to park in Springdale.
If this is the case, you can ride the shuttle from Spingdale to get into the park.
Google Maps Directions: Zion Visitor Center / Zion Human History Museum
The Zion Canyon Shuttle
From either the visitor center or the museum, ride the shuttle up the canyon to Stop 4.
Hiking Checklist - Zion
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Zion National Park.
Hiking the Sand Bench Trail
The Sand Bench Trail starts out along the Virgin River before climbing up to the Sand Bench plateau that makes up the loop trail.
Wrangler Trail Junction
At the first junction across the road, go left to reach the Sand Bench Trail.
At the split for the Emerald Pools/ Sand Bench Trail, go left.
Depending on recent rain and snowmelt, this stream crossing may or may not be flowing.
Just before the Sand Bench Loop, the trail will climb a few switchbacks..
Sand Bench Loop Trail
At about 0.6 miles (1.0 km), you’ll reach the Sand Bench Loop.
I like to go right on the loop first for two reasons. The first is that there’s more uphill hiking on the right half, so I like to get that out of the way in the beginning. The second is that the left side has the best views of Zion Canyon, so I like to save that for the easier return hike.
During rainy weather or spring snowmelt, there may be very muddy sections like this one on the trail.
At the far end of the Sand Bench Loop, you’ll find a livestock hitching post, and the only bathrooms on the Sand Bench Trail.
It’s past this point that the best views will be found on the return loop.
Sand Bench Loop Junction
The is where the Sand Bench Loop meets back up with the beginning of the trail.
