Riverside Walk

Overview

The Riverside Walk is the final trail on the Zion Canyon Shuttle route, beginning at the Temple of Sinawava - the last stop at the far end of the canyon. The paved path follows the Virgin River north for one mile as the canyon walls close in dramatically on both sides, growing taller and narrower until the trail ends at the point where the canyon becomes The Narrows.

It's one of the most scenically rewarding easy hikes in the park. The walls here tower over 2,000 feet above the canyon floor, and the river and vegetation create a lush, green corridor that feels completely different from the dry open terrain elsewhere in Zion. Hanging gardens cling to the cliff faces wherever springs seep out of the sandstone.

Part of what makes the Riverside Walk so rewarding is the sense of progression built into it. The canyon at the Temple of Sinawava is already narrow by Zion standards, but with every few hundred feet the walls draw closer together and climb higher, so the scale of the place changes visibly as you walk. By the time the pavement ends, you're standing at a genuine narrows - the same landform that gives The Narrows hike its name - without having gained a foot of elevation or needed a permit to get there.

Trail Route

The trail begins at the Temple of Sinawava (Shuttle Stop 9). Follow the sidewalk past the shuttle stop and restrooms - the paved trail starts immediately and heads north alongside the river. Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead.

The path is mostly flat, following the gentle grade of the river upstream. It crosses a couple of small bridges and passes several interpretive exhibits covering canyon formation, hanging gardens, and the ecosystem of the riparian zone.

At the trail's end, the canyon walls pinch together until there are no banks left - just river. This is the mouth of The Narrows. Hikers with the right gear and conditions can wade into the river from here and continue upstream without a permit, as far as Big Spring (~4.5 miles). Those without waterproof footwear typically turn around at the end of the paved trail.

Because the whole route is paved and gently graded, it's easy to underestimate how long a mile can take here. Most visitors stop often - at the interpretive signs, at overlooks where the walls first begin to close in, and at the many spots where hanging gardens are visible from the trail - so budget more time than the distance alone suggests, especially if you're traveling with kids or anyone who wants to linger at the water's edge.

Hanging Gardens

One of the highlights of the Riverside Walk is the hanging gardens that dot the canyon walls. Wherever water seeps out of the Navajo Sandstone through cracks and fissures, lush colonies of maidenhair fern, cardinal flower, and golden columbine take root on the vertical rock face. These gardens thrive in the shade of the canyon walls and are most vivid in spring and early summer.

Gateway to The Narrows

For many visitors, the Riverside Walk serves as the approach to The Narrows bottom-up hike. If you plan to wade into the river, bring waterproof footwear - the riverbed is slippery and the water can be cold even in summer. Neoprene socks, water shoes, or canyoneering boots all work well. Several outfitters in Springdale rent full Narrows gear packages if you want to wade further upstream.

What to Bring

• Water - available at the trailhead, but carry your own for the walk itself.
• Layers - the canyon walls shade much of the trail, so it runs noticeably cooler than open stretches of the park.
• Waterproof footwear - only if you plan to wade past the end of the pavement into The Narrows.
• A camera - the hanging gardens and closing canyon walls are some of the most photogenic scenery on any easy trail in Zion.

Best Time to Go

Year-round, though the trail may close in sections during winter due to icy conditions. Spring is spectacular for hanging garden wildflowers and waterfalls. Summer can be crowded but pleasant in the shade of the canyon walls. Fall brings beautiful light and fewer crowds. Check the NPS site for closures during and after heavy rain, as flash flooding can affect this area. The same shade that keeps the trail cool in summer also means ice can linger longer here than on more open trails, so winter visitors should expect to check conditions before relying on the full route being open.

Safety

The paved trail itself is gentle, but conditions change quickly at the water's edge and in the narrowing canyon beyond it.

• Do not enter the river during or after storms - flash flooding is a real risk in a narrowing canyon like this one, and conditions can change with little warning.
• Watch your footing near the trail's end, where pavement gives way to wet rock and river gravel.
• Keep children well back from the riverbank, which can be slick and drops off quickly in places.
• If you continue upstream into The Narrows, check current river conditions before wading - the park closes The Narrows when flow exceeds 150 CFS.

Tips

• Wheelchair accessible - the full trail is paved and suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
• Shuttle required - personal vehicles are not allowed on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive in season. Take the shuttle to Stop 9.
• Arrive early or late - the Temple of Sinawava is a popular shuttle stop; midday waits can be long in peak season.
• Bring waterproof footwear if you plan to wade into The Narrows from the end of the trail.
• Check river conditions before wading - the park closes The Narrows when flow exceeds 150 CFS. Current conditions at nps.gov/zion.