Zion National Park: Pa'rus Trail
Paving the way for a traffic-free park, this 1.8-mile trail connects the Zion Visitor's Center and Canyon Junction. Don't miss a foot-soak in the Virgin River on your way!
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Zion’s Pa’rus Trail, with the mission of relieving traffic congestion on the park’s busy roads, offers hikers and cyclists easy and vehicle-free access to the park’s Human History Museum and Zion Canyon Road.
From the Visitor’s Center and the South Campground, the Pa’rus Trail heads north, crisscrossing the Virgin River and bypassing several river-access points and short, foot-soak worthy detours. Near mile 0.7, a left-hand side trail leads 0.25-mile to the Human History Museum and a bus stop for canyon- and Visitor’s Center-bound shuttles.
To continue to Canyon Junction, bypass the spur trail and stick to the wide pavement of Pa’rus Trail. The trail gains less than 100 feet of elevation and the barely-noticeable climb is lined by cacti and offers unobstructed views of the Watchman, the West Temple and Bridge Mountain. Near trail-end, you’ll traverse a short section of hard-packed dirt between bridges and turn uphill briefly, crossing under the park road before climbing to road level at Canyon Junction.
-Mapped by Kristy Holland
Trail Facts
- Distance: 5.2
Waypoints
ZPA001
Location: 37.2005437, -112.9867941
The Visitor’s Center near the park’s south entrance is the epicenter of park activities year-round. There is a gift shop, ranger services, park information and restroom facilities here as well as easy access to the grocery store and movie theater just outside the park.
ZPA002
Location: 37.2014391, -112.9865985
Stay on the left side of the road to cross the river (there’s no sidewalk on the right-hand side) and use the crosswalk on it’s north side to join the trail.
ZPA003
Location: 37.2022732, -112.985047
This is the first of several river-access trails. Use established routes to access the water and stay on trail to protect vegetation and help reduce human-affected erosion in this popular park.
ZPA004
Location: 37.2041903, -112.9807168
Near the north end of the campground, you can step into campground restroom facilities and access drinking water.
ZPA005
Location: 37.2061248, -112.9798499
Check for traffic before crossing this service road and continuing north over the first of 5 pedestrian bridges on this section of the Virgin River.
ZPA006
Location: 37.2066879, -112.9793644
The Pa’rus Trail continues straight at this 3-way junction, but an easy, 0.5-mile round-trip will take you to the Human History Museum. Note: The museum-bound trail is unpaved and has several wooden steps that make it inaccessible to wheelchairs.
ZPA007
Location: 37.2089137, -112.9782977
Near the trail’s halfway point, the northern edge of this bridge s flanked by benches.
ZPA008
Location: 37.2144757, -112.9762303
This diversion dam directs water to the town of Springdale and provides an ideal rest stop for those looking to extend their trail adventure. Take the right-hand access path to the river’s edge and picnic or nap on the large, flat rocks that line the dam.
ZPA009
Location: 37.2159416, -112.9748583
The short, hard-packed section of trail between the two final bridges is the only unpaved section. The trail surface is smooth and easily navigable by bike, wheelchair, or with a stroller in tow.
ZPA010
Location: 37.2175824, -112.9748277
After passing beneath the park road, the trail turns briefly uphill before ending at the Canyon Junction shuttle stop. Hop on the shuttle (each equipped to carry two bicycles) or continue north by bike or on foot toward the canyon trailheads.
Visitor’s Center
Location: 37.2004411, -112.9866922
There are interpretive signs, map displays, informative rangers, a gift shop, water, and toilet facilities at the Zion Canyon Visitor’s Center, sitting below The Watchman’s red-sandstone face. © Kristy Holland
Shuttle
Location: 37.2007146, -112.9867995
Between March and November, the Zion Canyon Shuttle is the only motorized way to access many of the canyon’s viewpoints and trailheads and transports over 3 million people annually. The shuttle leaves as often as every 6 minutes during peak summer hours but shuts down in the winter when private vehicle access is allowed. © Kristy Holland
Trailhead
Location: 37.2010992, -112.9867512
This map kiosk shows the Pa’rus Trail, but the actual trail begins on the north side of the bridge. © Kristy Holland
Trail
Location: 37.2017572, -112.9866439
Pick up the trail after crossing the bridge and the park road. The entire trail winds alongside the Virgin River, but this first stretch also skirts sites in the South Campground. �� Kristy Holland
Museum Trail
Location: 37.2067477, -112.9792786
This unpaved path leads 0.25 mile to the Human History Museum and Park Headquarters, and another shuttle-bus stop. © Kristy Holland
Diversion Dam
Location: 37.2144549, -112.9762638
The interpretive sign and access path to the trailside Virgin River diversion dam. © Kristy Holland
Bridges
Location: 37.216608, -112.9750407
The Pa’rus Trail includes 5 river-spanning bridges. © Kristy Holland
Canyon Junction
Location: 37.2176504, -112.9747295
The trail ends (or begins!) at the well-signed shuttle bus stop at Canyon Junction. © Kristy Holland
Cyclists
Location: 37.2097555, -112.9778194
The Pa’rus Trail is the only one in the park that allows cyclists. This trail ends at Zion Canyon Road, a popular in-park cycling route.
