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Scenic river hike at Zion National Park.

Family-Friendly Hikes in Zion National Park

by | Apr 28, 2023

Zion Wildflower Resort is the ultimate destination for a family getaway. Many of our unique Zion National Park bungalows and tents feature bunk beds, including our Covered Wagons, the Sego Lily King & Bunk Bungalow, and our Grand Mesa King & Bunk.

There are also tons of on-site amenities perfect for spending a memorable day with your family. Take a dip in the pool, climb around on our playset, play a game of giant Jenga, ping pong, or spike ball, or hop on a complimentary bike for a ride around the property. Nightly campfires are perfect for roasting s’mores while swapping stories with your loved ones.

When you’re ready to venture beyond our Zion accommodation, you’ll be just a short drive to the national park. Once there, you’ll have plenty of hiking trails to choose from. While an Angels Landing hike isn’t kid-friendly, there are many other trails in the park that are. Keep reading to learn some of the best family-friendly hikes to enjoy during your stay in our Zion National Park bungalows and tents.

Pa’rus Trail

Perhaps the most family-friendly trail in the park, Pa’rus Trail is a paved, flat trail that’s great for hikers, walkers, and bicyclers of all ages. Lined with wildflowers in the spring and early summer and colorful leaves in the fall, this 3.5-mile trail is paved from start to finish. This makes it a good spot for families with strollers or those in wheelchairs. Bicycles are also allowed on this trail. In fact, this is the only trail in the park that’s open to both bikes and pets. If you brought your own bikes along to our Zion accommodation, this is where you’ll want to bring them.

Pa’rus Trail begins just past the South Campground and follows the Virgin River. It offers plenty of spots to stop for a break and to take in views of the river. While there isn’t a steep climb, much of the trail is out in the open, with little shade. If you’re planning a visit in the summer, opt to hike it early or late in the day to avoid the heat. 

If the 3.5-mile hike is too long, this is an excellent trail to hike out for a ways and then turn around and go back. Or, let the little ones ride their bikes or bring a stroller in case they get tired part-way through.

Canyon Overlook Trail

Visitors to the park of all ages marvel at the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. After driving through this engineering marvel, head to the trailhead for the Canyon Overlook Trail for another fun, family-friendly treat. 

This hike is great for those who want incredible views of the canyon but without a steep hike. It’s a great alternative to an Angels Landing hike for those with kids or if you don’t get a permit. At just one-mile round trip, the hike is relatively flat and looks out over Zion Canyon and the many surrounding peaks. Look down from the trail, and you’ll spot the Pine Creek Slot Canyon far below.

Riverside Walk

The Narrows, following only perhaps behind Angels Landing, is one of the most famous hikes in Zion. This 16-mile trail takes you into the narrowest part of Zion Canyon as you hike up or down river in the Virgin River.

This trail isn’t family-friendly. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t still experience what it’s like. Riverside Walk is a relatively flat, paved trail that winds just over two miles alongside the Virgin River to the start of The Narrows. Before the turnaround point, you can take a few steps down to the banks of the river. You can even hike a ways upstream. Water levels vary, and may not be safe for kids when water levels are high. But the Riverside Walk is still one of the best hikes in the park on its own.

Weeping Rock Trail

If you’re looking for a shorter, mostly-paved hike, head to Weeping Rock Trail. At just .4-miles, this trail is great for new or young hikers. To get to the trail for most of the year, you’ll need to hop on the Zion Canyon Shuttle. Hop off at the Weeping Rock Shuttle Stop, Shuttle Stop #7.

While it may be shorter than Pa’rus Trail, it’s not short on views. You’ll wind beneath a canyon with lush gardens hanging down overhead. You’ll have a great view of the Great White Throne. There are also steps along the trail that are great for accessing the stream. Little hikers will love splashing around on a hot summer day.

Planning a Family-Friendly Visit to Our Zion National Park Bungalows

If you’re looking for a family-friendly getaway in Southern Utah, you can’t beat our Zion National Park bungalows, tents, and covered wagons. From the unique accommodations to the convenient location, just a short drive from the park, Zion Wildflower Resort is the ultimate base camp for your next family adventure.

Ready to see for yourself what makes our Zion accommodation so special? Book your stay today!

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