After a two-year closure, visitors to Zion National Park can again enjoy the popular hanging gardens and shady alcove at Weeping Rock.
The park reopened the trail and shuttle stop 7 on Friday. Since a rockfall forced the closure of the area in November 2023, maintenance crews and geologists have been assessing the site and repairing the trailhead, railings and stairs.
“We are pleased to once again welcome hikers back to Weeping Rock, one of Zion’s most cherished destinations,” park Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh said in a Friday news release.
Weeping Rock is “one of Zion’s signature landmarks,” the park said. At the end of a short, steep path, hikers reach a dripping rock wall covered in ferns and moss, nourished by water that seeps through the sandstone.
The trail now includes concrete that’s colored to match the surrounding landscape and sandstone curbing. The Zion trail crew also added traction to the path to enhance safety, according to the park’s statement.
The area is still geologically active, though, and Zion’s physical science team continues to monitor it.
“That’s a big part of what makes this canyon what it is — rock falls, floods,” said Matthew Fink, park spokesperson. While the park does its best to mitigate such hazards, Fink added, they can’t stop such events from happening.
(Ally O'Rullian | National Park Service) Dust is seen on the ground at Weeping Rock in Zion National Park after a rockfall on the cliff above on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023.
“We urge all visitors to take their safety seriously, remain alert, and be mindful that rockfall is a natural and ongoing process in canyon terrain,” said Bradybaugh. “Respecting closures, following posted guidance, and exercising personal responsibility are essential to ensuring that everyone can continue to safely enjoy this extraordinary place.”
While the Weeping Rock site is reopened, other areas previously accessible from the trail, including Hidden Canyon and the East Rim Trail to Observation Point, remain closed.
Because conditions change quickly in Zion, the park encourages visitors to check park alerts and current conditions before traveling to the park.