WATCH: Zion Rockfall at Weeping Rock (+Is It Safe To Visit Now?)

Dust and rocks coming down a mountain at Zion NPS. — A large section of rock and dust tumbles down to the Weeping Rock Trail in Zion National Park on 11/14. Nolan Hanson caught the rockfall on camera.

Article Overview: Zion Rockfall Caught on Camera

We’ve hiked in Zion National Park from Angels Landing to The Narrows and just about everything in between. The red sandstone canyon walls that rise 2,000 feet from the Virgin River floor create an environment that feels intimate and massive at the same time. This guide covers the park from our time on the ground.

“(It) sounded like thunder. Surreal and amazing.“
Nolan Hanson, witness/trail guide

Park rangers took photos after confirming everyone was safe, and the parking lot looked like it was covered in snow. However, that’s actually dust from the Zion rockfall.

Parking area at Weeping Willow in Zion covered in dust. — That’s not snow – that’s dust from the Zion rockfall in November 2023. (NPS Photo)

What Caused the Zion Rockslide?

While the exact cause is not known, this isn’t a freak incident. As Jeff Bradybaugh, Zion National Park Superintendent said, “Rockfalls can happen at any time in this highly erosive landscape.”

In previous incidents involving Zion rockfalls, including one that happened at this same spot on Weeping Rock, the park rangers have noted, “Zion National Park experiences rockfalls because of the steep canyon walls and characteristic geology of the area.”

“Zion National Park experiences rockfalls because of the steep canyon walls and characteristic geology of the area.”
Zion National park website

Was Anyone Hurt in the Zion Rockslide 2023?

Park rangers said they didn’t treat any injuries. Due to the dust cloud and debris, the Zion shuttle service stopped for about an hour and a half. The 2019 Zion rockfall left three people hurt and a group trapped until they could be rescued.

Because of the rockfall risk, Observation Point and Hidden Canyon Trails were closed after the 2019 rockfall. You can still take a 0.4-mile hike to the Weeping Rock observation area.

Cable Mountain and the bowl below where a rockfall happened in 2019 and 2024. — A look from the bottom of the rockfall area up Cable Mountain in November 2023. (NPS Photo)

History of Zion Rockfalls

Rockfalls in Zion National Park aren’t just particular to Cable Mountain above Weeping Rock. However, the area has been impacted in 2019, as noted above, and another in 2009.

The Narrows, Mt. Carmel Highway, West Temple, and Hidden Canyon have all experienced their fair share of rockfalls in recent memory. To be honest, it’s this kind of behavior we expect from the evolving geologic landscape.

Check out this photo from 1947, when a large sandstone section sent 880 tons of rocks and boulders tumbling into the park maintenance area.

This photo shows a 40-ton boulder that flattened an unoccupied truck.

Massive boulder on top of a flattened truck in a black and white photo from 1947. — (Image Courtesy Zion National Park, Photographer Fred C. Fagergren)

If you’ve been to Zion National Park, it will never quite be the exact same as when you were there. Rockfalls and other erosion activities are always shaping the park and widening this beloved canyon.

Similar to the arches at Arches National Park, which will all inevitably collapse, it’s the circle of life and geology.

A Closer Look at Above Weeping Rock

In the series of photos below, you’ll see what the cliff looked like before the rockfall in 2019, how it looked after the rockfall, and how it looked after the 2023 Zion rockfall.

You can see that even with the dramatic video, it’s such a small section of a massive park and ecosystem across Southern Utah that more rockfalls are certain.

Map of Zion Rockfall

Dust and debris off the side of Cable Mountain after a rockfall. — After the main collapse of rock, more dust and debris filled the air before settling on the ground. (Courtesy: Nolan Hanson)

Safety in Zion National Park

Rockfalls can happen anytime in Zion National Park and any geologic erosive location. It’s imperative that you practice smart trail safety, including checking the park conditions before you go, respecting closed trails due to rockfalls, and talking with park rangers about rockfall risks.

It’s another great reminder to keep your head on a swivel while you’re hiking in any part of Zion National Park. In the event of a rockfall or even hanging ice, you will have less than a few seconds to get out of the way or take safety steps like protecting your head with your hands.

Always prepare for the worst-case scenario, which could include a rockfall blocking your return hike.

Zion National Park has an entire website section dedicated to your safety.

In October 2023, More than half a million people visited Zion, bringing the annual total number of visitors to 4,125,817 with still two months to go. Zion is a safe place to visit, but does have natural risks. By following the safety guidance and trail restrictions, you can have a more enjoyable experience.

We want to thank the park service employees and crews who help clean up after these disasters and repair what they can while repaving new trails or determining whether a trail is too dangerous for guests.