🥾 Trail

Riverside Walk

Q: Is it safe to hike alone?

Yes. The trail is heavily trafficked, well-marked, and short. Ranger presence is typical. Stay alert for the minor drop-offs and irregular surface, but solitude-wise, you're never truly alone on this trail March–November.

Q: Do I need special gear or training?

No special gear. Wear shoes with firm grip (the paving sheds sand and can be slippery). Bring 2L water minimum, sunscreen, and a hat. No technical skills or special training required.

Q: What happens if I visit in winter?

Sections may close due to ice. Before going, check nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm. If icy patches are reported, postpone—the regular concrete becomes treacherous when frozen.

Q: Can I turn back whenever I want?

Yes. This is an out-and-back trail. You set the turnaround point. Most stop at mile 1; some scout the Narrows junction beyond. You're in control.

Q: Will I see The Narrows on this hike?

You'll reach the junction and gateway view to The Narrows, where the paved section ends. The Narrows proper involves wading through water and is not part of this trail. The Riverside Walk stays dry and paved.

Zion Canyon

Overview

About This Trail

The Riverside Walk is a deceptively easy 1-mile paved trail that follows the Virgin River through a narrowing sandstone canyon in Zion's heart. This is not a lung-buster—it's a paced warm-up with 154 feet of gain and irregular paving that demands foot focus. The real reward: intimate canyon immersion, river access, and a gateway view to The Narrows. Most hikers complete the round trip in 1–2 hours; veterans push beyond the pavement to scout deeper terrain.

Highlights

Difficulty Level

Easy

Trail Highlights

The narrowing canyon intensifies at mile 0.8, where towering sandstone walls close in on both sides. The payoff is full river immersion in a slot-canyon atmosphere without technical scrambling. The paved trail ends at Temple of Sinawava junction; beyond lies The Narrows (non-paved, wades through water).

Insider Tips

• Most tourists stop at the mile-1 turnaround. Scout beyond to the Narrows entry point to see what lies ahead. • Visit in early morning (before 7:30 AM) to have the trail nearly to yourself. • The riverside exhibits are worth 10 minutes; they explain the geology and ecology shaping the canyon. • If winter ice is present, turn back—don't risk slipping on concrete in a canyon.

Best Season to Hike

Year-round; optimal March–May and September–November to avoid extreme heat and winter ice.

Hiking Tips

Wear shoes with firm grip—irregular paving and sand create slip hazards.
Carry 2L water minimum; the Virgin River is unfiltered.
Go early: the trailhead fills by mid-morning March–November.
Step carefully at minor drop-offs; don't assume flat = safe.
Bring sunscreen and a hat; canyon walls provide partial shade only.
If you reach the paved end at mile 1, scout the junction to The Narrows to gauge the deeper terrain.

Family Info

Easy paved trail suitable for families with young children and elderly hikers. Irregular paving and minor drop-offs demand hand-holding with small children. Strollers feasible on smooth sections but irregular paving creates challenges. No shaded rest areas—bring water, sunscreen, and hats. Teach children about edge hazards near the river.

Details

Trail Specifications

Distance: 1 miles

Elevation Gain: 154 ft

Duration: 1–2 hours round-trip (2 miles total)

Difficulty: Easy

Route Type: Out and back

Surface: 100% concrete paving with irregular, uneven sections. Some areas slippery from sand; tread width minimum 50 inches.

Getting There

Trailhead: Temple of Sinawava (Shuttle Stop #9), end of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Follow sidewalk past the shuttle stop and restrooms to trail entrance.

Fills Up: Full by mid-morning March–November. December–February: typically available.

Restrooms at trailhead

Requirements

Permit Required

No permits required.

Fees: $35 (Private Vehicle entrance to Zion National Park; valid 1–7 days). Youth 15 and under free with paying adult.

Shuttle Required

March–November: Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is shuttle-only; Riverside Walk is accessible via Shuttle Stop #9. December–February: private vehicles can drive to Temple of Sinawava. Verify current conditions and shuttle schedule at nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm before your trip.

Trail Rules

Dogs: No

Biking: No

Trail Markers: Well-marked paved surface with clear path. No navigation challenge; the trail is linear and traffic is constant.

Trail Features

Conditions & Safety

Water: Water available at Temple of Sinawava trailhead. No potable water along the trail. Carry 2L water minimum; the Virgin River is unfiltered.

Shade: Partial shade from canyon walls; full sun exposure in open sections. Heat accumulates in the narrow canyon—expect 5–10°F warmer than rim temperature.

Hazards:

Paving is irregular and uneven in sections—watch foot placement. Minor drop-offs are present; edge awareness mandatory with children. Tread width varies; minimum 50 inches in bottleneck sections (48 inches of clearance under overhanging rocks). Concrete surface becomes slippery from sand and water. Winter conditions create unpredictable icy patches that close sections. Virgin River can flood during heavy rain upstream.

Emergency: Alert a ranger immediately at Temple of Sinawava facilities or call for emergency services. Park headquarters: general inquiries at nps.gov/zion.

Crowd Info

Typical Crowds: Conga line. Heavy shuttle-season traffic March–November.

Peak Times: Spring (March–May) and summer (June–August), especially 9 AM–4 PM. Shuttle season March–late November increases foot traffic.

Accessibility & Family

Accessibility:

Flat paved surface (100% concrete) with typical grades of 4.6% and cross slopes of 1.7%. Minimum tread width 50 inches. Surface may be slippery from sand. Overhanging obstacles with 4-foot vertical clearance and 48-inch remaining tread width. Wheelchair access to first sections possible; full accessibility limited by narrow passages.

Family Notes:

FAQs

Can I do this hike if I'm not very fit?

Yes. This is a flat, paved trail with only 154 feet of gain. The challenge is not fitness—it's foot placement on irregular paving and attentiveness to minor drop-offs. Any healthy adult can complete it.

Is it safe to hike alone?

Do I need special gear or training?

What happens if I visit in winter?

Can I turn back whenever I want?

Will I see The Narrows on this hike?

🏞️ National Park Service 📝 YourNPGuide Editorial

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