#5 of 25 sights in Zion
Sight · Zion National Park
Three sandstone peaks reward a short, steep climb above the canyon.
Overview
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Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Zion Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Zion National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Zion audio tourRecorded for this place
Court of the Patriarchs“Up ahead is Court of the Patriarchs, a quick stop for three sandstone peaks named Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
Plays as you drive up to Court of the Patriarchs in the Parkwolf Zion Tour Guide.
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Guide
Court of the Patriarchs is an east-side viewpoint on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, known for three sandstone peaks named Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. From shuttle stop 4, climb the short, steep path above the trees; The Sentinel and Mount Moroni also appear in the skyline. It is a worthwhile brief stop if you can manage the climb. Allow around 5–10 minutes for the climb and return; it is about 0.2 mile round trip with 50 feet of gain.
The overlook is the photo stop: morning light reaches the cliff faces directly. After rain, mist or brief waterfalls may show up in the canyon, but that depends on weather.
During shuttle season, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles, and the free canyon shuttle serves stop 4 without reservations. The bus does not wait while you climb, so plan to catch a later one. Service is seasonal and schedules change. Do not leave this for the last bus: NPS warns that missing it can mean a roughly nine-mile walk back to the Visitor Center.
The three peaks are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, named in 1916 by Methodist minister Dr. Frederick Vining Fischer and two boys from southern Utah. The National Park Service does not identify the boys. The overlook gathers the trio into one view, with taller canyon walls nearby adding The Sentinel and Mount Moroni to the scene.
The broader Zion story is written into these walls: ancient desert sand hardened into sandstone, then streams cut the deep canyons after the region was uplifted. From this rise, look across the layered cliffs and down to the green canyon floor; the view shows both the rock and the water-carved shape of Zion.
Wildlife
291 sightingsCalifornia CondorMost seen around 11 AMSighting map
350 sightingsBighorn SheepMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
22 sightingsMountain LionMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
1,326 sightingsMule DeerMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
23 sightingsGolden EagleMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
15 sightingsPeregrine FalconMost seen around 7 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Zion. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ModerateSand Bench Trail3.9 mi · 3 hr · At the trailheadLoose sand turns this canyon loop into a bigger effort.
EasyCourt of the Patriarchs Viewpoint Trail0.1 mi · 8 min · At the trailheadThree sandstone peaks from a short, steep viewpoint climb.
EasyLower Emerald Pool Trail1.2 mi · 1.5 hr · 1 mi awayA short walk to a waterfall alcove that changes with the season.
ModerateMiddle Emerald Pools Trail2.2 mi · 1.5 hr · 1 mi awayA steep climb opens onto sandstone ledges and green pools.
ModerateUpper Emerald Pools Trail2.3 mi · 2 hr · 1 mi awayStone steps lead to a sandy pool beneath Zion’s high canyon walls.
EasyGrotto Trail1.2 mi · 36 min · 1.1 mi awayA shaded meadow walk linking the lodge and Grotto shuttle stops.
ModerateLower Pine Creek Falls Trail0.7 mi · 45 min · 1.4 mi awayA short creek walk gives way to boulder hopping and shallow wading.
ChallengingAngels Landing Trail4.2 mi · 4 hr · 1.6 mi awayA steep canyon climb ends on a narrow, chain-lined sandstone ridge.
Lodging · 1 mi awayZion LodgeThe only in-park lodge, with canyon trails close by.
Restaurant · 1.1 mi awayRed Rock GrillA year-round sit-down meal on the canyon shuttle route.
Food · 1.1 mi awayCastle Dome CaféA handy café for quick meals and picnic supplies.
Sight · 1.4 mi awayLower Pine Creek FallsA small waterfall worth the scramble if rough creek walking suits you.
Sight · 1.4 mi awayEmerald PoolsThree cliffside pools, with seasonal falls and a steeper upper climb.
Picnic area · 1.6 mi awayThe GrottoA shaded picnic break with a Virgin River view and trail access.
Sight · 1.8 mi awayCanyon OverlookA short, exposed walk to the view over Pine Creek Canyon.
Sight · 1.8 mi awayGreat ArchA broad sandstone alcove comes into view on the tunnel climb.Parkwolf’s Zion ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
