Take An Easy Gorgeous Walk To This River In Utah

Amid the grandeur of the sandstone cliffs, a river is unlikely to be foremost on the minds of visitors to Zion National Park in southwestern Utah. What’s more, the Virgin River is often overlooked in a state that features major waterways such as the Colorado and Green Rivers. Yet the North Fork of Virgin River is a definite attraction. The Riverside Walk offers an easy hike that’s as much of an enjoyable journey as it is a way to reach the destination. Once known as the Gateway to the Narrows, the Riverside Walk is partly paved and is good for families with young children who can navigate the 2.2-mile round trip.

Cottonwood trees create shade in portions of the trail, making the Riverside Walk more comfortable.

Kent Kanouse/flickr

A cascading waterfall is part of the attraction of the Riverside Walk.

James Marvin Phelps/flickr

The Riverside Walk begins at the Temple of Sinawava, one of the shuttle dropoff and pickup points.

Patrick Rudolph/flickr

Squirrels are a more common sight on the Riverside Walk, but other wildlife such as deer occasionally share the trail.

De kleine rode kater/flickr

The cathedral setting created by the canyon walls frames the trail as the autumn scenery lingers in this photo taken in late November.

Vivek Tulsidas/flickr

Hikers have the option of extending their treks to the Narrows, a popular destination. That part of the trek requires more planning and proper equipment.

John Peltier/flickr

The Riverside Walk serves as a contrast to more strenuous hikes in Zion National Park. Many hikers suggest using this trail as a warmup activity or a way to recover from more difficult treks. The free shuttle provided within the park takes visitors to the Riverside Walk trailhead. The Scenic Drive is closed to vehicles in the summer and fall. For more information about visiting Zion National Park, see the National Park Service website.