Pa'rus Trail Out and Back

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Geological Significance · River/Creek · Swimming

The Parus Trail is a very popular, easily accessible and ADA-compliant trail that departs from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and follows the Virgin River with abundant canyon scenery. A run along this path provides many good places to stop and enjoy the flowing water or sit and take in the views. It is also one of the only trails in the park that allows dogs (must be on a leash) and bicycles.

This is a nice flat trail to run, and can easily be linked into more trails in the upper canyon.

Start at the Zion National Park Visitor Center and head up canyon toward the South Campground, following signs for the Pa'rus Trail. After the Visitor Center, cross the bridge and turn right. Follow the well-marked signs and paved path north along the river. You can follow the Pa'rus Trail all the way to Canyon Junction (one of the first shuttle stops going up Zion Canyon).

Once you have reached Canyon Junction, you have a few different options for how to proceed. The route mapped here turns around to run back to the visitor center, but you could wait on the shuttle bus and get a ride back instead. Alternatively, you could take the shuttle the other way to go farther into Zion Canyon and see more of the park.

Red tail hawks, lizards, and snakes live in this area, you may also see mule deer or wild turkeys. Be sure to look up into the sky, and if you are really lucky you might spot a California Condor! This once endangered species is the largest land bird in North America, and can sometimes be seen soaring on thermal updrafts above Zion Canyon.

Classic desert plants thrive in this area, including sage, prickly pear and yucca. Cottonwood trees line the river, offering small bits of shade along the way.

The name Pa'rus comes from the Paiute word for "bubbling water" and refers to the spring-fed Virgin River that flows beside this trail year round.