Highlight (Segment) • Trail
Pa'rus Trail
Cycling
5.0
(9)
This Highlight goes through a protected area
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Zion National Park
Tips
January 18, 2025
Cycling
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Nearby routes
Best routes near Pa'rus Trail
5.0
(1)
16
riders
5.12km
00:19
40m
40m
For an easy, scenic touring cycling experience in Zion National Park, the Pa'rus Trail is a top pick. This paved, multi-use path winds gently alongside the Virgin River, offering continuous views of Zion Canyon's towering red rock cliffs, including iconic formations like The Watchman. You'll cover 3.2 miles (5.1 km) with a minimal 134 feet (41 metres) of elevation gain, making it an easy ride that typically takes just 18 minutes.
This trail is the only one in Zion's main canyon that allows bicycles and leashed pets, making it a unique option for visitors. It connects the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to Canyon Junction, and you can easily link up with the park's shuttle system, which accommodates bikes. To avoid crowds and enjoy optimal lighting for photography, plan your ride for early morning or late afternoon.
The Pa'rus Trail offers more than just a ride; it's a gateway to the park's natural beauty and history. Along the route, you'll find educational exhibits detailing local plant and animal life, geology, and human history. From Canyon Junction, you can continue cycling on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which is restricted to shuttle buses for much of the year, providing an extended car-free journey into the heart of the park.
5.0
(2)
177
riders
13.7km
00:54
130m
130m
The Pa'rus Trail, the cycling heart of the Watchman Trailhead – Pa'rus Trail loop from Zion Human History Museum, offers an incredibly scenic and easy ride through Zion Canyon. You'll pedal alongside the Virgin River, enjoying continuous views of majestic red rock formations like The Watchman and Bridge Mountain, with cottonwood trees and desert greenery framing your journey. This 8.5-mile (13.7 km) route, with a gentle 423 feet (129 metres) of elevation gain, is a relaxed experience that takes about 53 minutes, perfect for soaking in the park's beauty.
For planning your visit, know that the Pa'rus Trail is uniquely accessible; it's the only trail in Zion National Park where you can cycle, bring leashed pets, and it's wheelchair-friendly. You can access it from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, and while the spur to the Zion Human History Museum isn't for bikes, the main trail connects to key areas. Consider visiting in the morning or evening for optimal lighting and to spot wildlife like mule deer and wild turkeys.
This trail stands out as a car-free, paved option to experience Zion's grandeur, making it ideal for families and beginner cyclists. It provides a fantastic opportunity to get up close with the Virgin River, whose name Pa'rus means "bubbling water" in Paiute, and offers excellent photo opportunities of the canyon's iconic cliffs and peaks.
4.8
(4)
130
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Details
Informations
Distance 493 m
Uphill 10 m
Downhill 30 m
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Sunday 14 June
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