Zion National Park is one of the most popular parks in the nation, and it’s also home to some of the best hikes for families with kids. While challenging — and dangerous — Angels Landing is often the most talked-about trail, the park is also home to many moderate and even easy trails, including short, flat, and paved trails ideal for families with small children or even those facing mobility challenges.
When you stay in lodging near Zion National Park, like Flanigan’s Resort, you can also ensure that you get to the park early in the day, before the heat and the crowds descend, to make these trails even more kid-friendly.
Planning your next stay at the best Zion hotels? We’ve compiled a list of some of the best trails for kids and families so you can enjoy your visit and keep everyone safe at the same time.
Pa’rus Trail
The Pa’rus Trail is one of the most accessible and family-friendly trails in the park. The 3.5-mile one-way trail is paved and allows bikes and even pets. If you opt to rent an e-bike during your Zion hotel stay, this is the only trail that you can ride in the park.
Pa’rus Trail follows the Virgin River through the Lower Canyon. Along the way, you’ll enjoy incredible views of Zion’s peaks. This is one of the best spots in the park for views of the Watchman. It’s also a great spot to watch for wildlife like mule deer and rock squirrels.
You can shorten this hike by turning around earlier in the walk. Or, rent bikes or e-bikes to help your little hikers cover more ground. Don’t forget your sunscreen on this hike; while it may be an easy walk, big portions of it lack shade, and see a lot of sunshine on hot summer days.
Canyon Overlook Trail
Canyon Overlook Trail is another great choice for families. Located in the Upper Canyon, you can drive to this trailhead, making it a good choice if you’re planning a quick trip into the park while staying at Zion hotels. The trailhead is a short distance past the exit of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel — another must-see for families!
This trail is excellent for families with kids because it’s short and easy — it’s just 1.7-miles roundtrip, and relatively flat. You can walk the trail in around 20 minutes, stopping at viewpoints along the way to take photos of Zion Canyon stretching out below you.
Riverside Walk
The Riverside Walk is a short hike that’s great for families, photographers, bird watchers, and even experienced hikers looking for a relaxing spot to take in Zion’s stunning beauty.
This trail is one of the only paved hikes in the park and is wheelchair accessible. It’s 2.2-miles roundtrip and is fairly flat. You’ll find this trail at the very last shuttle stop on the Zion Canyon loop; Stop 9, at Temple of Sinawava. On this hike, you’ll follow the Virgin River upstream, as the canyon gets increasingly narrow.
At the end of the trail, where you’ll turn around to head back, you can leave the trail and walk down to the banks of the river. This is where the popular — and challenging — Narrows Trail begins. Kids can splash around in the Virgin River, and you can even hike up the river for a short way to see what the more challenging trail is like.
Weeping Rock
Weeping Rock Trail is another short, easy hike with beautiful views of Zion Canyon. At just .4-miles roundtrip, it’s a good choice for families with young children still learning to hike.
The trailhead is located at the Weeping Rock Shuttle Stop 7 and offers restrooms, parking, water fountains, and a spot to fill up your water bottles before you begin your journey. If you’re staying in lodging near Zion National Park, you can hop on the Springdale Shuttle, leaving your car at your hotel. At the entrance to Zion, you’ll hop off that shuttle, and board the Zion Canyon Shuttle, and ride to Stop 7.
On this short walk, you’ll travel under hanging gardens that drip with water trickling down from the canyons above. It also offers a great view of the Great White Throne. Along the way, keep your eyes out for the steps, located near a bridge on the trail. Here, you can walk down to the stream below. Little hikers will love splashing around and cooling off on a hot day.
Choosing the Best Lodging Near Zion National Park
Despite its many challenging hikes and steep elevations, Zion offers plenty of kid-friendly hikes for families to enjoy.
Planning a family trip to the park? Start by choosing the best lodging near Zion National Park. Flanigan’s Resort is a great base camp for your family’s next adventure. Easy access to the Springdale Shuttle makes it easy to get to and from the park each day. Spacious rooms and suites give you plenty of room to unwind after a long day of exploring. And after a hot morning of hiking, you can head back to the resort for a refreshing dip in the pool!
Check out our room, suite, and villa options today to find the perfect one for your family!