Menu Falls is a pretty little spot that’s somewhat hidden along the scenic road into Zion Canyon. It takes some effort to get here, when the shuttles are running, because there’s no shuttle stop here — you’ll need to walk along the road or the river. For the effort, you’ll be rewarded with the relaxing sounds of trickling water.
My Visit
I stopped by Menu Falls as my day was winding down. It’s a great, secluded spot that’s developed (there are stairs and a deck here, with places to sit), but relatively unknown, since it’s unmarked, and there’s no bus stop nearby. I spent at least 20 minutes here, and I never saw anyone else.
There’s an upper and lower falls…
… with the upper portion divided into dual streams.
In order to take a good picture, you’ll need to climb over the railings and tread lightly on the slippery, wet rocks.
Menu Falls received its name after being featured on the original menu at the Zion Lodge.
The sun had already set in the canyon — but that’s actually a good time to take a picture of a waterfall. There are no bright spots or heavy shadows, and I could use a longer exposure to smooth out the water.
I tried a bunch of angles, but I’m still not completely satisfied with the pictures I took. I guess that means I’ll be stopping by here again someday!
The Bottom Line
If you’re driving yourself into Zion Canyon, it’s definitely worth stopping at Menu Falls, at least briefly. If the shuttles are running, and you’ll need to walk to get here, Menu Falls doesn’t need to be a priority — but if you have some time left over at the end of the day, it’s not a bad destination!
Location
During late spring, summer, and early fall, you’ll need to take the shuttle bus into Zion Canyon, and exit at either the Big Bend or Temple of Sinawava bus stop.
The waterfall is located in between the two stops, on the east side of the road. It’s marked only with an ‘edge of the road’ striped sign. You’ll need to walk south from Sinawava or north from Big Bend, either along the edge of the road, or along the river nearby.
From November through March, private cars are allowed to drive into Zion Canyon, so you will be able to park in a wide spot at the side of the road, near the falls.
Drivelapse Video
Check out this time-lapse, dash-cam video of the drive into and out of Zion Canyon, complete with captions:
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