Zion National Park
Grotto Trail
easy FamiliesWheelchair UsersWildlife Watchers
0 mi Distance
45 min Estimated Time
Out & Back Trail Type
What to Expect
The Grotto Trail is the connective tissue of Zion Canyon — a flat, shaded half-mile ribbon linking Zion Lodge to the Grotto Picnic Area along the Virgin River corridor. Unlike the canyon's big-ticket hikes, this one rewards patience over ambition: dappled cottonwood shade, sandstone walls glowing warm in afternoon light, and a surprisingly good shot at spotting wild turkey or mule deer grazing in the undergrowth. The path is well-maintained and smooth enough for strollers and wheelchairs. On its own it's a pleasant leg-stretcher between shuttle stops, but it earns its keep as the connector piece in a loop with the Emerald Pools and Kayenta Trails — making the whole canyon accessible without backtracking. This trail is made for families with young kids, anyone who needs a flat reprieve, and hikers who've just finished something punishing and want a cool-down walk back to civilization.
Trail Details
Difficulty easy
Estimated Time 45 min
Trail Type Out & Back
Pets Not allowed
Season Year-round
Trailhead Grotto Trail
- 1
Use this trail as the return leg of an Emerald Pools loop — hike up to the Lower or Middle Pools via the Emerald Pools Trail, cut across on Kayenta, and drop back down via Grotto. You get the waterfall payoff and avoid retracing your steps.
- 2
When the shuttle is running, most people skip this trail entirely and just ride between stops — which means wildlife sightings are far more common here than on crowded canyon paths. Walk slowly and scan the brush, especially in the first and last hour of daylight.
- 3
The Grotto end of the trail has the best light for photographing the canyon walls in late afternoon — position yourself near the picnic area around an hour before sunset and the Navajo sandstone turns a deep burnt orange.
Photos
NPS
