Riverside Walk

This is Zion's gateway drug — the trail that turns casual tourists into canyon obsessives. You'll start at the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop and follow a paved path along the Virgin River as the canyon walls squeeze tighter with every step. The pavement is smooth enough for strollers in most sections, though a few uneven patches keep things interesting. Hanging gardens drip from alcoves overhead, and the river runs emerald-green beside you. The real magic is watching those sandstone walls close in until they're close enough to almost touch — this is the appetizer for The Narrows, which picks up right where the pavement ends. When you hit the river at trail's end, most people kick off their shoes and wade in. This trail is perfect for anyone who wants to feel the scale of Zion without breaking a sweat.