Sun Notch
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The overlook platforms sit at the edge of sheer volcanic cliffs with drops of several hundred feet — keep a firm grip on small children and stay behind the railings.
Snow buries this section of Rim Drive well into June most years, and the trail can be icy into early July. Check road status with the park before driving out.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Hit this trail in the late afternoon when the sun lights up Phantom Ship from the west — the rock formation practically glows against the deep blue water, and most tour buses have already moved on.
Pair Sun Notch with the Pinnacles Overlook drive on the east rim — they're close together and both are quick stops, so you can knock out two underrated viewpoints in under an hour.
Bring a telephoto lens or binoculars. Phantom Ship is roughly 170 feet tall but sits far below the rim, so it looks deceptively small to the naked eye. Zooming in reveals its cathedral-like spires and the trees somehow growing on top of it.
