Pa’rus Trail in Zion National Park
– By Tom Garrison –
Trail: Pa’rus Trail
Location: Zion National Park
Difficulty: A very easy paved trail. This is the only trail in Zion National Park to allow leashed dogs and bicycles.
Average Hiking Time: Less than two hours at a leisurely pace.
Elevation: 3,852 feet trailhead elevation with about a 100 feet elevation change.
Family Friendly: Yes, family and leashed dog friendly. Just watch out for speeding bicyclists.
Getting There: From St. George drive to Hurricane via Interstate 15 and State Route 9. In Hurricane stay on State Route 9 and follow the signs to Zion National Park. It is about 45 minutes driving time from St. George to Zion.
Beyond the southern park entrance station, continue less than 100 yards and turn right (southeast), cross a bridge over the Virgin River, and enter the Visitor Center parking lot. Park, walk back to the Visitor Center, and recross the bridge. On the northwest side of the bridge heading north, and alongside the Virgin River, is the signed trailhead for Pa’rus Trail.
Sometimes you want a challenging hike, one that pushes you. Other times, when you need to get outside but are feeling a bit lazy, an easy hike, almost a stroll, is appropriate. Especially one on which you can take Fido, a hike and walking the dog.
Fortunately, we live close to spectacular Zion National Park. Included in its boundaries are some demanding hikes—Angel’s Landing, The Narrows, The Subway, Hidden Canyon, and so on. We have done them all. It also has some easy hikes such as Pa’rus Trail—our destination.
Just because it is easy doesn’t mean Pa’rus Trail should be ignored. It is a stroll in the middle of the Zion Canyon alongside the Virgin River with amazing views. When you need that easy hike filled with stunning views where you don’t sweat or risk a heart attack, consider Pa’rus Trail. (The trail is named after the Paiute word for “bubbling water.”) It is the only trail to allow dogs on a leash and bicycles in Zion National Park. Beware of speeding bicyclists.
In 1919 Congress established Zion as the Utah’s first national park. Diversity dominates the 229 square mile park. Diversity in habitats with elevations ranging from 3,600 to 8,700 feet and including arid desert, woodland, coniferous forest, and riparian environments. Diversity in life forms with 69 species of mammals, 208 birds, 29 reptiles, six amphibians, and nine fish. And diversity in geology with mountains, buttes, mesas, arches, and, of course, canyons.
The trailhead elevation is 3,852 feet and the 3.5 miles round trip hike has an elevation gain of about 100 feet. The sky was mostly blue with some wispy clouds as we began our hike at 9:30 am with the temperature in the mid-50s.
The wide paved trail heads north along the Virgin River in the flat and open lower section of Zion Canyon. The first section runs along the edge of South Campground and next to the Virgin River. After passing through the campground, the trail is in an isolated wooded riparian environment. Several places along the trail give approved access to the river below, great for some exceptional river photos. But please obey the “Do not hike here” signs.
Further along the scenery is more dramatic with magnificent views of the cliffs and mountains of Zion Canyon. From this point on, the towering reds, oranges, and browns of the canyon walls are stunning.
Along the way, we stopped and read the several trail exhibits, often placed near rest area benches. Among other topics, they provided quick lessons about the plants and animals in riparian zone near the river, the power of erosion, and the diversion dam along the river.
About one mile from the trailhead is a dirt trail on the left (heading west) leading to the Zion Human History Museum.
Via bridges, we crossed the Virgin River three times and it’s Pine Creek tributary once.
Near the northern end, 1.7 miles from the trailhead, the trail goes under State Route 9 and ends at the Canyon Junction shuttle stop. We hung around for a while taking photos and then retraced our steps back to the trailhead.
This is a 3.5 mile round trip hike, (well, maybe a stroll) that took us less than two hours at a leisurely pace with many photo stops. If you need an easy hike featuring the riparian environment alongside the Virgin River and stunning views of lower Zion Canyon, this may be for you.
