USA Court of the Patriarchs

This is located right at a bend of the Virgin River and is a good subject for all seasons, looking both north and west. The water is normally very still at this spot. Just a short two minute walk further west the river turns abruptly south again, flows under a footbridge and over a spillway in a thunderous crash. Beyond the footbridge the trail continues and becomes the Sand Bench Trail which offers great views and can be hiked as a loop or an out and back.

I like early morning reflections on the river. Most visitors rarely venture beyond the shuttle stop, so you probably won’t see many other people there.

When the Zion Shuttles are running, board the shuttle at the Visitor Center and get off at the third shuttle stop (called Court Of the Patriarchs). When the shuttle is NOT running, drive to Canyon Junction (which is where a bridge crosses the Virgin River in the park) and turn left (north). The first shuttle stop you’ll pass is just 40 yards north of the intersection and is named Canyon Junction. The next shuttle stop is named Court of the Patriarchs. Park there. If the shuttles are running, it is illegal to park there. Across the road from the shuttle stop there’s a road that is signed for official use only. You’re not allowed to drive on that road but it’s permitted to walk on it. There’s also a foot path that parallels the road on one side with the river on the other side. It’s about a two minute walk to where this photo was taken. Just another two minutes further is a sturdy footbridge that crosses the Virgin River. The spillway/waterfall is very photogenic.