USA Zion East Side

Bighorn Sheep are common throughout the east side of Zion. If you drive through the area on any given late afternoon and don’t spot a few, you might consider yourself unlucky. They often blend in with their surroundings so unless they’re in the road (which is also common) you have to look carefully for them. I was very lucky that when I spotted this trio perched on the rocks just above the road, there was a pullout just a few yards before I got to them. They’re somewhat accustomed to vehicle traffic and seemed to be posing for me, completely unperturbed. While I’ve seen hundreds of them over the years on the east side of Zion, I’ve only seen one (1) in Zion Canyon. However, there are LOTS of mule deer in the canyon.

If you happen to spot Bighorn Sheep as you drive through the park, please don’t stop on the road (unless the sheep are blocking you). The road is very narrow. If you stop, you are blocking all traffic behind you which is “disturbing” to locals as they make their way home or to work, etc. I’ve seen visitors literally park in the middle of the road and leave their vehicles in order to take pictures.

I spotted these sheep about 2 miles from the east end of the small tunnel where there’s a pullout on the right (south) side of the road but they can be found anywhere on the east side of Zion.