State: Utah
Location: Zion National Park
Length, Round Trip: 2 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 4100 feet
Maximum Elevation: 4150 feet
Elevation Change: 50 feet
Best Season: Fall
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Heavy
Colorado River, viewed from Bryce Canyon” height=”375″ width=”500″ />
Trail Information
The Riverside Walk Trail is a short, easy trail that heads north along the Virgin River from the end of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. This is one of Zion National Park’s most popular trails and follows the pools and small rapids of the Virgin River up the dramatically-narrowing canyon. It is a delightful walk during late afternoon or an early summer evening.
The Riverside Walk Trail is paved and relatively level, gaining only 57 feet in one mile. It ends at the southern terminus of the North Fork Virgin River narrows. Hikers will have views of the narrows from the trail’s northern end. The trail heads along the eastern bank of the river, passing several hanging gardens. These gardens form at the contact between the porous Navajo sandstone and the denser Kayenta shale formation. Wildlife is attracted to the diverse plant communities and the springs that feed them. Also along this route are interpretive signs describing the geologic formations and identifying the plant and animal life with the canyon. This is a very popular trail so expect crowds at most times of the year.
Directions
From the South Entrance:
Drive north along Highway 9 to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Board one of the shuttle buses and go six miles to the end of the road and the Temple of Sinawava monument.
