Located at the Temple of Sinawava, which is shuttle stop #9 when the shuttle is running, this is a nice paved two mile round trip walk alongside the Virgin River. I got to see turkeys and deer though, so don't go rushing through or else you might miss some sweet wildlife viewing. If it has rained recently, there might be puddles or spots of mud. The trail ends at the river where The Narrows begin - aptly named as it's the most narrow part of the gorge. This hike passes through some swampland which is unusual terrain in the desert. It's due to the erosive forces of flash floods. Speaking of which, you shouldn't enter the The Narrows if there's any rain in the weather forecast or any rain in the surrounding areas. It's too risky to be caught in the canyon with any chance of flash floods. The trailhead/parking lot has water, as well as a lot of porta-potties. read more

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This hike is everything I read about it - chill, easy, paved, and CROWDED. Lots of families with kids and strollers and people just headed to the narrows along this path. I still enjoyed it and had fun going to the beginning of the narrows before turning back (which lots of people do who don't want to get wet). It's not a long walk either, like a mile or so so you can do it fast. It starts at the temple of Sinawava, plenty of signs point the way towards it. Would rec the walk even if you aren't going to do the narrows itself, just for the vibes :) read more

Riverside Walk - End of the river walk, start of the narrows - Hiking Near Me

This trail is fine. Paved. The great parts of this trail- you get to walk along the beautiful river and see the towering cliffs above you, they change color depending on the sun angle. The scenery changes frequently and there is a decent amount of shade. Any elevation change is barely noticeable. The not great parts - at the end of the trail begins "The Narrows". That spot of beach is WILDLY crowded. The folks returning from the Narrows use the Riverside Trail to come back to civilization, and can leave the trail wet and muddy. The trail itself is highly popular with people not doing the Narrows. So it's crowded. You'll have trouble overtaking slow folks and be slightly annoyed at loud groups wanting to pass your own slower than them self. Tips- do not wear boots. My feet were furious at me for doing this many steps in trail boots on hard concrete. Tennis shoes would have been so much better. Take your patience with you. Take a snack and plenty of water. Unless you're doing the Narrows or quite unsteady on your feet, you dont need poles. read more

This is a very good place for walking around if you are in Springdale Utah. The Riverside Walk is refreshing and easy. Easily accessible by bike or even wheelchair. Nature is beautiful and has many benefits to enjoy. I always recommend walking around in nature and hiking trails. I love this place! read more

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This Riverside Walk hike takes you to the entrance of The Narrows. The Riverside Walk is located at the very last shuttle stop and is the "farthest" into Zion you can go with the shuttle. This hike is super doable and I would definitely classify it as beginner, mostly flat surfaces and well paved. There are some waterfall features along the way and it follows right along the Virgin River, which offers some beautiful sights, but is otherwise a bit monotonous. Unfortunately for us, the Narrows were closed due to flash flood warnings when we went, so I would say don't go out of your way to do this hike unless you're going to be hiking the Narrows once you get here as well! But if you're looking for a very chill hike (2 mile round trip, can be done in less than an hour), this is definitely a good one to do! We did it because we had just finished up a 4 hour Angel's Landing hike and wanted to squeeze in a visit at least to the entrance of the Narrows before we left Zion for the day and did this hike quickly (around 40 minutes) towards the end of the day and caught one of the last shuttles back to the visitor center. read more

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Trail that leads to the narrows. It was so overcrowded as it's a paved and easy trail. Way too many people to enjoy it. Unless your doing the narrows hike or need a really easy trail then it's a must skip read more

My family and I wanted to come to Zion National Park and avoid some of the more strenuous hikes as we were pretty hiked out. Riverside Walk was the ticket. You take the free shuttle to the last stop at the Temple where you're forced to exit. The walk is all paved but many sections are covered in sand. It's about a two-mile round trip with awesome views like the whole park. There are several stopping places if necessary. Bring water! Near the beginning there's a place to see the water rushing and many families were wading in. Further down the way you'll run into the squirrels. Some are extremely friendly because people have fed them. Don't because you risk a $100 fine. Many are tagged in their ears. At the end of the trail, there's more water to play in. Or you can continue on for one of the more strenuous paths called the Narrows. We didn't have the time to tackle the many hours for that one. Maybe someday. Overall, only my son and I completed the trail. My wife and daughter decided to just wait for us. Still, a good time for all. read more

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This is an EASY walk with enjoyable views along the Virgin River. It is a paved, mostly flat, and wheel chair accessible journey. Many like to play in the water and then turn around at end of walk to return. If you want to be up close and personal, there are many spots where you can get off the paved path and walk a dirt path right next to the river! LOOK FOR WILDLIFE: We enjoyed seeing a number of deer up close. They didn't seem to be afraid of people. The squirrels were also super friendly and would come right up to you without fear. I suspect people had been feeding them which is prohibited and you can be fined. WATCH HIKERS ENTER WATER FOR NARROWS HIKE: This used to be called the "Gateway to the Narrows" because the end of the river walk is the start of the hike on the "Narrows" which is literally in the river, through the narrow canyon. You can rent water suits and shoes for that hike. The Narrows is a difficult hike in the water and you must be aware of flash flooding as water can get up to head high! SPRING 2022 TOXIC ALGAE BLOOM: Unfortunately during our visit there was a toxic algae bloom in the Virgin River. Signs warned against drinking the water and even warned against touching the algae. Apparently they discovered it when a dog DIED when drinking from the river. We stayed out but many still played in the water and hiked the narrows. read more

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Great little trail to start off our last day in Zion! It's a short, flat, easy 2 mile hike on a paved trail that takes you to the entrance of The Narrows and gives you great views! At the end of this trail you'll find the spot where the tour companies start their hikes into The Narrows. We didn't see any tour groups - but there were individuals and couples dressed in all the waterproof gear and heading in!! The trail meanders alongside the Virgin River through the slot canyon that seems to get more narrow and close in as you go along. There are lots of little areas along the trail that open up and provide access to the riverside, which allows you to get close to the water. You could even get in the water if you want, but they did have warnings during our visit that the river was experiencing a bacterial overgrowth that is harmful. The cliffs rise up on all sides of the trail very dramatically! There's even an area where the cliff face is entirely drenched with water seeping out and makes for some nice dripping waterfalls! We always ran into some very curious ground squirrels begging for food - but it's a $100 fine if you feed them according to warning signs. There's plenty of parking and even some restrooms at the trailhead. This trail is at the very end of Zion Scenic Drive so you can't miss it Bc you can't go any further lol! read more

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Want to enjoy the Virgin river and breathtaking views of Zion canyon without the commitment of the more strenuous Narrows hike? Then Riverside Walk is the one for you! Doing the Narrows? Well, you'll need to do the Riverside Walk to get to the Narrows so you're able to knock off two of the most popular trails in the park at the same time. Everybody wins with this trail! It's a mostly paved path that is easily accessible for wheelchairs and others with mobility aids to enjoy, plus very kid and family friendly. The entirety of the trail is a mile in and a mile out so it's not terribly long but it may take a while depending on your speed. You can also veer off the paved trail and walk along the river if you'd like as well. But once you hit the entrance to the Narrows you'll need to get into the water to keep going. Take the shuttle to the last stop and enjoy the majesty that is Zion and the Virgin River! read more

This is a nice walk along the river from the last shuttle stop. It is how you would get to the Narrows which was still closed when we went. But the hike itself is beautiful and pretty easy. It is also very crowded but the path is large enough to accommodate traffic both directions. You will see a ton of squirrels and deer along the way. read more

If you are planning on hiking the NARROWS, don't do Riverside Walk separately, do it the same time because you have to go through the Riverside Walk in order to get to the Narrows. It's also the last stop #9 so you don't want to go there 2 separate times...utilize the time wisely especially if you have limited time. It's very nice & easy walk (not hike). Hardly any water needed but good to bring a bottle. If you are doing this, I'd say take the time to enjoy the walk AFTER the Narrows because it's very calm and enjoyable after the tiring time at Narrows. You're going to need as much of it for the Narrows. It ends at the beginning of the Narrows with the rocks to the rest of the river. Still very nice pictures all around. Very do-able & great for the whole family. Recommend - 2 birds 1 stone. read more

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Just a beautiful walk along the river. A little busy cause everyone was going to the narrows. Otherwise an easy walk for a family as most of the path is paved. read more

Riverside Walk is an easy and paved trail that leads to the Narrows- once you reach the water, you can turn around if you're not going on into the Virgin River. There are a few steep parts, but this is appropriate for everyone from kids to seniors and is about 1.5 miles. The trail starts at the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop, where there are bathrooms and water stations. The trail takes you through wooded areas, alongside the water, and briefly to a swamp area. Highlights include the great views of the canyon walls and river, as well as multiple opportunities to see weeping rocks. This trail is a good option if you are near Zion but cannot make an entire day of it. Highly suggest taking the drive-through tunnel route out to see even more of this amazing park. read more

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My husband and I enjoyed this walk. It's short and easy. You can walk on the paved sidewalk or on the dirt trail between the river and sidewalk. The dirt trail doesn't quite go through the entire hike, so we went on the dirt trail and on the sidewalk. Next time we will rent the gear and continue across the river to go into the Narrows. read more

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Riverside Walk is the last shuttle stop at Zion. It is about a 40min ride from the 1st shuttle stop at the Visitor Center. Most people come here to do The Narrows hike. Although it is not as popular and unique as The Narrows, the Riverside Walk is a pretty cool trail as well. It is paved and it goes alongside the river for about a mile. At the end of the trail, you will see lots of people posing for photos and others getting ready to start The Narrows. This trail is kids and family friendly. The scenery is beautiful and peaceful. Fantastic views of rocks, mountains and the Virgin River. Definitely recommend doing this one even if you are not doing The Narrows! read more

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We're really talking about two totally separate hikes here when we say Riverside Walk v. The Narrows. Both are magnificent, but one is for serious and the other can be done with the kiddies in tow. I'll try to break it down: "The Narrows" refers to just that - narrow sections of canyon where the Virgin River cuts through steep canyon walls. It's cliffs on both sides and doesn't see a lot of sunlight. It's magnificent, and you're obviously hiking through the water which, depending on the season, can be ankle to knee deep, or sometimes chest high. This storied section of canyon is at its most potent several miles from the Temple of Sinawa trailhead and the Riverside Walk. When people talk about hiking "The Narrows," it almost always refers to starting from the top and hiking down. It can be done as a really brutal dayhike, but there are some backcountry campsites available (must be reserved) so you can bring the backpack and do it in two days. You start from Chamberlain Ranch (shuttles can be reserved) and bust out 16 miles downstream. The majority of the hike is done in water, although you will have some dry spots, and depending on your aversion to water, can try to hike the banks where possible. It's not often possible. The Riverside Walk, while technically the last mile of a top-to-bottom Narrows hike, does not require permits and is a whole different beast.... er.. kitten. It starts at the Temple of Sinawa and ambles along the river until you reach an entrance point. You can, technically, enter the water and start hiking upriver towards the narrows. It's quite fun and I've done it this way a few times. It's not practical to think you're going to hike the whole thing (and how would you get back?) so it's an out-and-back hike. But it does give you a taste of what a full Narrows Hike is like. The Riverside Walk is perfectly suited to people of all ages and abilities. It's a wide, smooth trail and offers a couple of chances to get up to the water. Do be cautious in winter, though, there can be water and ice on the trail and it can be dangerous. The Narrows is one of Utah's most memorable hikes. Coupled with Angel's Landing (also in Zion) you have the chance to knock out two hikes that belong in the top five for the state. But you'll have to plan ahead for this one. Ever hiked through water? Hiking poles are almost a must, sturdy shoes that can get soaked, convenient bags for water, dry bags for any other gear; these are just a few of the tips. It's a whole other beast. And despite your best plans you might get there and Mother Nature opens the skies and your trip is off. Flash floods are real. And if you're in The Narrows during a flash flood you will die. On a side note: Consider hiking in from the Orderville Canyon side. It's phenomenal. It requires a permit and you need a shuttle to the top, but it's crazy fun. The hike starts dry, then finds a little water. Then, after a while, you're in the water full-on. It's like an obstacle course: seemingly every 100 yards there's a new dropoff or waterfall you have to navigate your group through. Eventually you meet up with the main channel of the Narrows (there's one roped drop) and you hike out with everyone else. If you're in Zion, do bring some water shoes and take a hike upriver. Take it at your own pace. Or just bring the little ones and go a half mile or the full mile of the Riverside Walk. If you've got the gusto, do the Narrows Hike. It's breathtaking. read more

Yup, its a River!! I'm guessing the height of this river depends on what season you visit. I came end of May 2012. Waters were up to your knees, and sometimes thighs at points. You walk the sides, never the middle in case currents are strong. Really fun! It connects to Temple of Sinawava where people are swimming and playing around. Best to rent or bring your own water/hike shoes with neoprene socks. The waters do get cold so keep those toes warm. I didn't actually do this hike. I came from Mystery Canyoneering, repelling off a mini waterfall into the Riverside to walk the Narrow....its beautiful. read more

This is a fairly easy, flat, relaxing trail that is approximately 2 miles round trip. It starts at the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop and takes you along the Virgin River. There are many river access points so you can get closer to the river and explore a bit more. The trail is very family-friendly, and it seemed more crowded than the other hikes in Zion! Nevertheless, it was still very relaxing walking along the river. The end of Riverside Walk is the start of the Narrows hike. The Narrows was closed when I was there, so just check beforehand with the Park if you want to do this hike! read more

Riverside Walk - View from the trail - Hiking Near Me

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Nice relaxing hike along the rivers edge. Goes about 1 mile to the river and 1 mile back. Starts At the last shuttle stop #9 where there are water fountains and bathrooms. Path is partially wheelchair accessible and then pretty sandy after that. Not a lot of great views but easy for people with mobility issues or families. At the end is the narrows hike, which gets very busy in the summer. Has many river access points for those wanting to wade and swim. read more

Great hike for people of all ages. Very nice and easy flat trail that takes you the the Narrows. You get off at the last shuttle stop to start this walk. This is a very enjoyable walk to take in the scenery around you and bird watch. It's about 1.5 miles rt. read more

Great for families w small children, strollers, or the elderly! This is our first visit to Zion and we have 2 kids, ages 3 and 6. Our three year old is still a little grumpy guy, so we needed something easy and fun to do with him. A couple tips that we didn't know: Park opens at 9am. You pay $30 to get into the park, then go to Visitor Center for parking. For most trails, you park at the Zion Visitor Center and take the shuttle bus (free) to one of the 9 stops. Riverside Walk is stop number 9, the last one. (Stop is called "Temple of Sinawava") It was a 35+ minute ride to get to our stop. Hike is easy but regardless of the weather forecast, it's COLD if you go first thing in the morning. We only brought light sweatshirts bc the weather is supposed to get into the 80's today, but this trail is cool, breezy, and shaded so the kids were pretty cold for the first half of our hike. Trail is easy and wide. Mostly paved. Strollers and wheelchairs (w assistance on hills) would do fine. Where the trail dead ends is where the "narrows" starts. We took our time on the trail, so what would have been an hour hike roundtrip took a total of 3 hours because of the shuttle ride to and from, potty breaks, etc. Have fun! read more

Riverside Walk - Hiking Near Me

#17/100 For my 600th review, it had to be you- One of the most beautiful walks I have ever experienced and one that i will always remember. It's perfection in the most natural form. And I was very happy to have been here. It was about 32 degrees on a cold November morning with predictions of snow during the day. Well, the sun was shining and the wind was brisk. So we decided to head in to Zion and do the easiest trail. The Riverside Walk. It's one of the shortest hike approximately about a mile long. For Chel, it wasn't about trying to conquer all these different trails. It was really trying to appreciate one of mother nature's gift for us. And it was indeed priceless. The fresh air. The fall colors. The sound of the water streaming along the river. The wind whispering. And snow flurries. Don't miss this amazing place when in Zion. #thankful#for #my #C&H read more

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Tranquil and beautiful... Here we go again with another Zion moment but I can't help myself & after every trip I fall even harder for this place. This is the last shuttle stop & they have saved the best for last. It's a very easy hike that lasts about 45 mins before you reach the narrows where the real adventure begins. If you're anything like me it'll take you much longer because I stopped to take pics every few mins :) It's really challenging not to because the scenery is changing constantly and once again there's beauty everywhere you look. The sound of the river alone is worth stopping for, finding a rock to sit on and closing your eyes for a few mins. I haven't had a chance to attempt the narrows yet because it's too cold now but I have something to look forward to in the summer. This easy hike is still worth doing even if you won't be doing the narrows because it's so beautiful and once you reach the entrance to the narrows there are even more picture opportunities that keep getting better & better. See you soon Zion. read more

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Deep in the heart of Zion canyon... We drove here to the last scenic point of our Zion map (point #9) and is also the final shuttle stop at the Temple of Sinawava. We hiked the Riverside Walk (formerly known as "Gateway to the Narrows") which is a nice paved trail. All around us, as we followed the leveled trail (elevation was mostly flat), were beautiful scenic views of the canyon walls, the vegetation, trees, moss, ferns, and the river. Hubby and I took our time on a leisurely stroll, soaking in the beauty of the canyon views and we also veered off the trail to get closer to the Virgin River. There were plenty of easy access trails to the river. We did not wet our feet during our visit (almost end of winter) as the water was cold and frigid at the time. Must feel great during the summer, though. We did not go as far as The Narrows, however. The whole hiking experience is about 2 miles (1-2 hours). The pavement is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. In this hike I've seen families with small children as well as elderly folks. In other words, great family-friendly hike. There is no formal destination and you return the same way you came. The trail is so peaceful and beautiful. Enjoy the hike! Review #0463 read more

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Out of all the hikes we did on our Canyon Adventure trip this was probably the easiest of them all. But don't mistaken the ease of this hike to the beauty it has. It's a pleasant hike with wonderful views of the river and the canyons around us. The entire hike which isn't very long at all is paved, there are some hilly areas but not too bad at all. If you are doing the Narrows, this is nothing like it. We were treated to cute encounters with chipmunks and chubby squirrels whose body language will ask you for food at any time on this hike so be prepared to take photos, keep your hands from reaching out to them, and to say no to their requests. They are pretty insistant but stand your ground, you can do it! The end of this trail stops at a brick wall where you can sit down and rest put your feet in the water if you are not moving forward or you can begin the narrows hike here. Just walk down the stone steps and you are on your way to some stunning views of the narrows. read more

The Riverside Walk is a very photogenic and easy walk. During our most recent trip here, we did not walk all the way to the Narrows. We stopped where the paved path ended. Yeah, we were lazy. We were not properly equipped to do the hike through the Narrows. Will have to do that hike next time. The Riverside Walk is located at the last shuttle stop. It's not too long and just about anybody can do it no matter what the age. Each time we've been here, we'll stay at this stop the longest out of any other. The hike is not too long, but it is truly beautiful (even with crowds of people). Bring your camera and enjoy! read more

Nice little walking/biking path along the Virgin River... Well maintained and paved trail with cool bridges to cross as you make your way and wind along the river from side to side. Great for kids and older people! read more

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This trailhead is last stop / end of the road. Is really easier hike with great scenery. read more

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We took the Riverside Walk on the way to the Narrows. A very pleasant and easy walk along the Virgin River. The squirrels seem very tame here. Don't feed them! You start at the Temple of Sinawava which is underappreciated because of the Narrows. Plenty of places to get off the trail and into the water. Long and easy walk for everyone. It ends at the entrance to the Narrows. read more

This is the easiest hike in the Zion park. It is about a mile down heading to The Narrows. It's when you are at the narrow trail where the fun begins. Make sure to bring underwater type shoes. River can be a lil rocky here n there but overall. Strolling down the river for miles in between sandstone walls is an experience. Water was a little cold but tolerable. You have to park at the visiting center and take the shuttle to the river walk stop... Bring extra clothes, towels and enjoy the walk. read more

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This train is beautiful! It leads up to the narrow! Along this trail you'll see a lot of wildlife. The wildlife walks up to people almost as though they do not fear people. The trail isn't long and is wheelchair accessible for the most part. Today Zion had a heavy rain fall so this trail was ideal! read more

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Fantastic, easy hike with beautiful views of the Virgin River. Saw a beautiful buck and doe at the shoreline. Not crowded during the week.

This hike is very accessible! Saw kids as well as people powering through on their wheelchairs! It's mostly paved and flat trail. Easy to explore the area and enjoy the red mountains and cliffs. There's benches along the way in this trail and an incredible amount of good picture spots. Lots of squirrels so don't feed them! They will rummage through your pack if you leave it unattended. This trail at the end leads to Angels Landing. You'll see a lot of people walking this trail with their water shoes and hiking poles in tow. Don't let that intimidate you because you need neither of those things on this trail. I highly recommend bringing a lunch and picnic somewhere on the trail!! read more

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This is a very kewl trail. I really like that they created this path for the handicapped, kids, and folks who have mobility issues to enjoy some of the most beautiful nature scenes around. It is a wheel chair accessible path that leads from the furthest north bus stop inside of Zion to the base of the narrows... Consequently when its time to get wet, the path ends, but everyone can enjoy the sight and kick off point. So this riverwalk path is a very easy path and is at most a mile long, but I believe it is more like a ¼ to 1/2 a mile long. It meanders through the narrowing of the canyon that Zion is to the point the narrows begin. This trail follows the river for the most part and doesn't have many inclines or declines which really helps those with physical impairments who want to enjoy nature as well. I think that this is a super special but very important trek. It is also an extremely easy hike that everyone can enjoy. Definitely make sure you stroll down this path if you get to Zion. Or you will be one of a handful of folks who has missed out on it. read more

Beautiful hike and a fairly easy hike considering we did more difficult hikes in Zion. The water was rather cold even though we were here in late May and it was so hot outside. I like that overall, it's a flat hike so for someone who is hiking with a kid attached to them, like me, would appreciate it. I want to come here again when the river is a bit higher and see how deep it really is. read more

Best hike I've even taken! To get there, take the last stop on the Zion Bus tour. The hike is about an 20 min, roughly 1.5 miles to get to the part of the river where you wade through. Path is shaded, with stunning views of the river and waterfalls.The hike is well paved, with the natural air conditioning coming through the shaded canyon. You can continue through the water, which is about ankle-knee deep with a gentle current. The river is beautiful and refreshing. Perfect hike for kids and even elderly people. Lots of people were swimming. Very rewarding hike as the trail gets cooler as you go along. Recommended items to Bring: 1. A bathing suit, or lightweight clothes you can get wet so you can wade through the rest of the trail. 2. Water proof backpack for your camera. 3. Water as there aren't any fountains. 4. Water shoes, otherwise you will have to carry your sneakers through the water read more

Very irritated with Zion National Park today. Drove all the way here from Phoenix to hike The Narrows and even stayed in the Zion Canyon Lodge. I was extremely excited to complete this world famous hike this morning and it's full. We were there at 6am but they were already full and we were told that they start lining cars up at 5am, only take a certain amount, and take them in waves. HOWEVER, when we were asking yesterday NO ONE WOULD TELL US ANYTHING and we even had two park employees tell us they "WEREN'T ANSWERING QUESTIONS?!" Ugh. What a disappointment. I'm torn between coming back another time to try again (since I've always wanted to do it) or just refusing to support an area with such incompetent employees. At the bare minimum I feel that the process of lining cars up at a certain time and only taking so many should have been included in the brochure they provide outlining all the trails and things to do. Otherwise we're coming here and spending money just to leave disappointed. read more

Ugh this place. If you want to get the full depth and breadth of Zion - like really be in the heart of it - this is where to go. This trail leads up to the Narrows although the Narrows day hike was closed when we were up there in late May as the river flow was too strong. This is still worth it though. It's a peaceful walk along the river with points to jump join and walk alongside the sandy path right against the water. It's peaceful and at the hottest parts of the day it's mostly shaded. We did Angels Landing around 10 a.m., finished around 2, rode the bus to Zion Lodge, hot an ice cream cone and hung in the shade, then rode it all the way up to the narrows and did the riverside walk. It was the perfect way to end the day. It should be noted that you can no longer drive up Zion canyon. You have to take a shuttle so don't expect park and get right on the trail. Grab a Zion newspaper on the way in from the ticket office or stop in and talk to a ranger before you do anything. read more

Nice hike at the end of the shuttle. About a mile long, making it 2 miles round trip. Relatively flat. The trail is paved the whole way, but there are many legitimate side trails so that you can go walk along the Virgin River. Many benches along the way so that you can sit and admire the view. This is the trail you need to take if you want to go hike The Narrows i.e. Go walk the river upstream. Keep in mind that The Narrows tends to be closed in Spring since the snow melt makes the current too swift. The trail is very family friendly. So lots of kids and strollers. Noisy. This is NOT the trail for quiet solitude. read more