Last updated: April 30, 2025
Thing to Do
Pa'rus Trail
NPS
"Pa’rus" is Paiute for “bubbling water.” The Pa’rus Trail follows the Virgin River and has some of the best views of the Watchman. The paved trail connects the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and Canyon Junction. It is accessible for wheelchairs, pets on leashes, and bicycles. Trailside exhibits cover a variety of subjects, including plant and animal life along the river, geology, and human history.
The Pa'rus makes a good location for watching the sunset, stargazing, and astrophotography.
Access this trail from the Museum (Shuttle Stop #2) by using a short connector trail that is not designed for wheelchairs and not approved for bikes or pets.
Restrooms and water filling stations are available at the Visitor Center.
The Pa'rus makes a good location for watching the sunset, stargazing, and astrophotography.
Access this trail from the Museum (Shuttle Stop #2) by using a short connector trail that is not designed for wheelchairs and not approved for bikes or pets.
Restrooms and water filling stations are available at the Visitor Center.
Details
Duration
30-120 Minutes
The Pa'rus is 3.5 mile (5.6 km) from one end to the other.
Visitors may also take an optional, unpaved connector trail to the Human History Museum (shuttle stop #2) about halfway through the trail. This short path is not designed for wheelchairs and not approved for bikes or pets.
Visitors may also take an optional, unpaved connector trail to the Human History Museum (shuttle stop #2) about halfway through the trail. This short path is not designed for wheelchairs and not approved for bikes or pets.
Activity
Hiking
Hike, bike, or walk a dog along the paved Pa'rus Trail. Wildlife, such as deer, can often be seen in the meadows near the trail. Multiple river access points. Trailside exhibits.
Pets Allowed
Yes
Please follow the rules of BARK!
Bag your pet's poop
Pet owners are responsible for removing pet waste from all areas in the park including campgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots, roads, pet-friendly trails, and other developed areas.
Always wear a leash
Pets must be restrained on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Respect wildlife
Pets can harass or harm wildlife by making noise or scaring wildlife away.
Know where you can go
The only trail that allows pets is the Pa’rus Trail, which begins at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
Pets are not permitted - on any other trails, wilderness areas, on shuttle buses, or in public buildings in Zion.
Additionally, properly restrained pets are welcome along public roads and parking areas, in the developed campgrounds and picnic areas, and on the grounds of the Zion Lodge.
Pets should not be left unattended. Zion is hot! The interior temperature of a vehicle can quickly warm to dangerous levels, during most months of the year. Leaving a pet unattended in a vehicle with environmental conditions that pose a health risk to the animal is prohibited. Properly restrained pets may be left unattended in developed campgrounds only when environmental conditions are safe for the animal, and the animal is not making unreasonable noise (barking, etc.).
Service Animals may accompany their owner to all park locations. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.
36 CFR 2.15 (Code of Federal Regulations) provides more details concerning pets within National Park Service areas. Pet owners not adhering to regulations may be cited (minimum fine is $100).
Read the complete Superintendent's Compendium for more details.
Boarding kennels are available in the nearby towns of Rockville, Hurricane, St. George, Kanab, and Cedar City.
Activity Fee
No
Park entrance fees apply.
Location
Pa'rus Trailhead
Start from either the Zion Canyon Visitor Center (shuttle stop #1) or from Canyon Junction (shuttle stop #3).
Zion Canyon Visitor Center
To reach the trailhead, follow the sidewalk through the Visitor Center plaza and past the shuttle stop to the bridge. Once you cross the bridge, follow the crosswalk to the trailhead adjacent to South Campground.
Canyon Junction
From the Canyon Junction shuttle stop, follow the sidewalk south (in the direction of the Watchman) under the roadway bridge.
Zion Canyon Visitor Center
To reach the trailhead, follow the sidewalk through the Visitor Center plaza and past the shuttle stop to the bridge. Once you cross the bridge, follow the crosswalk to the trailhead adjacent to South Campground.
Canyon Junction
From the Canyon Junction shuttle stop, follow the sidewalk south (in the direction of the Watchman) under the roadway bridge.
Reservations
No
Season
Year Round
Time of Day
Any Time
Accessibility Information
- Length (one way) | 1.6 mi (2.5 km)
- Elevation | Gain: 151.7 ft (46.3 m) | Loss: 62.7 ft (19.12 m)
- Grade | Typical: 2.6% | Maximum: 11.4% | 1.2% of the trail is at an 8.3% or higher grade.
- Cross Slope | Typical: 2.1% | Maximum: 8.8%
- Tread Width | Typical: 120 in (304.7 cm) | Minimum: 96 in (243.8 cm)
- Surface | 93.6% of the trail is paved and 6.4% is hard wood decking.
- Obstructions | Bridges (5) 120 in (304.8 cm) wide and 416 - 1744 in (1056.6 - 4429.8 cm) long, with gaps in decking up to 3 in (2.5 cm) wide | Post in trail leaving 60 in (152.4 cm) of remaining tread | Tripping hazards 1 - 2 in (2.5 - 5 cm) tall, with 0 in of remaining tread
Last assessed on January 13, 2025. Obstructions less than 0.5 in tall, or outside the tread area of 120 in (304.8 cm) wide by 96 in (243.8 cm), high were not reported.