Riverside Walk (Zion National Park)
add photosThe Riverside Walk is 2 miles round trip, along a flat paved path that runs along the North Fork of the Virgin River. This hike begins at the farthest end of Zion Canyon, the Temple of Sinawava. This well traveled path ends near Zion Narrows Trail begins.
The best trail features include the towering monoliths at the Zion Narrows. The added bonus is the Virgin River flowing alongside the walking path and the lush vegetation seen throughout the hike.
4 Reviews for Riverside Walk (Zion National Park)
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'11, '12
0 families found this helpful
"Crowded but stroller friendly"
I believe most visitors to Zion National Park drive or shuttle to the end of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and then decide to get out and explore. Which means that most visitors end up on the riverside walk just because it's at the end of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
The trail is paved the entire 2 mile round trip distance as it winds along the virgin river to where the canyon narrows. I noticed several parents pushing strollers along making this a good option for families with babies. The trail is also a good pathway for toddlers to "hike" all by themselves since it's quite flat and there aren't too many distractions.
A few things to look for: lush plants growing on the rocks, tadpoles and fish in the little ponds near the trail, wild turkey and deer in grass and trees. There is no spectacular payoff at the end of the hike. The canyon just narrows to where there is only room for the river to flow through. This is actually the beginning of "the narrows" hike which requires trekking through the river and is not exactly family friendly.
We took our kids ages 3, 7, and 11 on this stroll early in the morning and found the trail wasn't too crowded. We were even able to spot several turkeys and deer near the path. However, by the time we returned, the parking lot was completely full and several large groups were starting down the trail. Therefore, I would suggest hiking this one early in order to avoid the crowds.
Note that the trail is shaded since you are walking along sheer canyon walls. Wear some layers and be prepared for the cooler temperatures. In the winter the trail gets pretty icy.
In all, I would recommend this trail to families with young kids since it is stroller and toddler friendly. However, be sure to arrive early in order to beat the crowds.
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0 families found this helpful
"Too crowded"
We did not enjoy the Riveside walk, mostly because it was so crowded with other visitors. It felt a bit to us like walking along a city street, only the skyscrapers were towering cliffs, and the noise of traffic was the rushing river. We were also disappointed with how far away we were from the river on this walk. The trail is paved, which is great for strollers, but it seemed quite removed from the beauty of the river and the nature below. When we reached the end of the trail, the canyon walls are only as wide as the river and to proceed further, we had to cross the river by wading. Many other people were crossing, with water up to their thighs, and with one or two fully falling in because of the slippery rocks. We knew it was not worth it to go further. There were many people at the end of the trail which made the destination point on this trail feel worthless to us. We couldn't go further, and we couldn't enjoy the river because of so many people.
We decided we would not go on this trail again until our kids were older and we could plan appropriately how to travel into the Narrows, which is at the end of the trail. We saw several groups outfitted with wetsuits, water shoes with great traction, and poles to steady themselves. That was smart and what we want to do next time.
There were several great places to play in the river along this trail, which is what I would recommend to families. The river section at the end is no better than all along the way. Several spots were already in shadow by 2 pm because the sun had set behind the cliff, and I could imagine them being perfect swimming holes during the high heat of summer. If you decide to walk this trail, at least bring a stroller for the 2 mile round trip paved section as it will save a lot of carrying of little kids (which is what we did!)
0 families found this helpful
"Best part of the park"
We recently moved to southern Utah, and we've been able to get to Zion three times so far with our toddler. He loves riding the bus out to the last stop so he can go play in the river. The river access on the riverside walk is unbelievable. There are tons of places to go wade in the water to escape the summer heat. The canyon views are incredible, and we can't wait to go further up the river where the canyon narrows.
1 family found this helpful
"Riverside Walk"
This is a beautiful walk along the river that runs through Zion National Park. You will need to take the shuttle to the far end of the park. This walkway is completely paved the entire way so it is a very easy walk. It is fairly flat so it isn't strenuous. It is perfect for families with young children or older adults. At the end of the walk, it is possible to wade in the river. Many families do this and it is safe for the children. Our kids loved this! It is also very refreshing on a hot summer day!
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