Riverside Walk

Hiking in Zion
•Easy frontcountry trails suitable for larger groups include:
Pa'rus Trail:1.7 miles one-way, start at the Zion Canyon Visitor center. Trail ends at Canyon Junction.
Riverside Walk: Paved, 1 mile one-way, start at Temple of Sinawava. May be closed at times during the winter because of ice on trails or ice falling from above.



Emerald Pools Trail Complex
•If you are willing to split up large groups, you may want to try trails within the Emerald Pools Trail Complex. Zion Lodge or Grotto Picnic Area can be used as drop-off or pick-up points. Please allow no more than one class of students (20 - 30) on the same part of a trail at a time. One adult chaperone for at least every 10 students is highly recommended.

•Lower Emerald Pool Trail: Easy, .6 mile one-way, 69 foot ascent. Paved trail to the pool, which goes behind the waterfalls that cascade from the Middle Pools into the Lower pool. Minor drop-offs. Connects to the Middle Emerald Pool Trail to form a moderate, 1.6 mile loop. Trailhead is across from Zion Lodge. Once across the footbridge, turn right.

•Middle Emerald Pools Trail: Moderate, 1 mile one-way, 150 foot ascent. Unpaved climb, including steps to a sandstone ledge that parallels the lower trail but at a higher level. Long drop-offs. Do not go near the edge. Deaths have occurred from falling from the middle pools. Trailhead is across from Zion Lodge. Once across the footbridge, turn left. Or alternatively, you can connect via the Lower Emerald Pool Trail for a moderate, 1.6 mile loop.

•Kayenta Trail: Moderate, 1 mile one-way, 150 foot ascent. Unpaved climb to a sandstone ledge, connects The Grotto Picnic Area to the Emerald Pools. Trailhead is across from the Grotto Picnic Area.

•Grotto Trail: Easy, .5 mile one-way, level. Trail connects Zion Lodge to The Grotto Picnic Area. Can be linked with Emerald Pools and Kayenta Trails allowing a 3 mile loop hike. (Follow Middle Pools Trail to Lower Pools and backtrack a short distance to pick up Kayenta Trail towards The Grotto.)


TO THE TEACHER
•Caution! It is your responsibility to ensure the students maintain a safe attitude while hiking in the park. Take care to stay on the trails at all times. The trails parallel the top of the cliffs, and although they are marked and safe, several persons have fallen to their deaths going off-trail to the cliff edge. The cliff edges are unstable, down-sloping, and slippery. Supervise your students closely. There are other hikers below so do not roll rocks or drop anything.
•Swimming, wading, and bathing are prohibited in all of the pools to protect the aquatic wildlife and to return the water to its original emerald color.
•The trails may be closed at times during the winter because of ice on the trails or ice falling from above.

For more information on trails in Zion National Park, check out the:
2009-10 Winter Zion Map and Guide
2009 Fall Zion Map and Guide
2009 Summer Zion Map and Guide