Pa'rus Trail

The Pa'rus Trail is Zion's most relaxed walk and its most versatile. It runs along the Virgin River from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center (Shuttle Stop 1) up to Canyon Junction (Shuttle Stop 3), where the Scenic Drive and the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway meet, a distance of about 3.5 miles out and back. The trail is almost entirely paved, with sections of wooden decking and five bridges across the river and side washes, and it gains only about 150 feet, so it suits walkers of every ability. It is also unique in the park: bicycles are allowed, and it is the only trail in Zion where dogs are permitted, on a leash no longer than six feet. That makes it the place for families with strollers, travelers with pets, cyclists heading for the Scenic Drive and anyone who wants to stretch their legs after a long drive. The scenery is excellent. The Watchman dominates the view to the south, the Sentinel and the Towers of the Virgin rise to the west, and the river is close by, with several access points where you can sit on the bank. Trailside exhibits explain the canyon's ecology, and in the meadows mule deer are often grazing at dawn and dusk. The trail is open year round at any time of day, with restrooms and water at the visitor center. An unpaved connector from the Zion Human History Museum (Shuttle Stop 2) joins midway, but it is not suitable for wheelchairs, bikes or pets.

Ways to use it. The Pa'rus works as a short stroll, a bike route or a link between other activities. Walk from the visitor center to the first bridges and back for a 30-minute leg-stretcher; continue all the way to Canyon Junction and take the shuttle back when it is running; or ride it on a bicycle or e-bike as the start of the Scenic Drive. It also connects campers at Watchman and South campgrounds to the visitor center and Springdale. In the evening, the light on the Watchman from the bridges is lovely, and the trail is a pleasant walk after dinner in town.

Accessibility notes. The National Park Service's accessibility assessment rates the trail with a typical grade under 3 percent and short pitches up to about 11 percent, a tread at least eight feet wide, and a few small trip hazards and decking gaps. Most wheelchair users and strollers can manage it, though some sections are steeper near the bridges. Cyclists must yield to pedestrians and ride at walking-friendly speeds, and dog owners must keep pets on a short leash and clean up after them.

Seasons and tips. In summer, walk early or late, because there is little shade and the paving radiates heat. In winter, the Pa'rus is one of the most reliable outings in the park, as it is low, paved and quickly clear of snow, though ice can linger in shaded spots. River access is tempting in hot weather, but the North Fork of the Virgin River has carried a toxic cyanobacteria advisory, so keep dogs out of the water, do not drink untreated river water and check the park's current water quality notices.