Zion National Park with Kids

Posted on April 23, 2026
by Jenny
with 0 Comments

We just spent a long weekend in Zion National Park with our 11- and 13-year-olds and came away with great memories and a few lessons learned. My advice in this blog post is based on our experience and the ages of our kids. I saw families with very young kids and babies, but honestly, I’m not sure I would have wanted to trade places with them. The easy, stroller friendly trails were crowded, the harder trails were (in my opinion) too difficult for anyone under five or six years of age.

You can check out where we stayed while we were there in THIS BLOG POST, spoiler alert, it was one of the coolest resorts we have ever been to. If you’re planning a family trip, here are the trails, logistics, and a few food stops that worked best for us.

OUR Top Zion hikes

Canyon Overlook Trail:

Our favorite hike of all, we actually did this one twice! It is short (about 1 mile round trip), fairly easy, and delivers dramatic views without a major commitment. Great for photos at sunrise or late afternoon. The second time we went back we actually brought our daughter’s pointe shoes to take a few photo’s and they turned out so pretty.

Lower and Upper Emerald Pools:

A classic Zion hike (1.2 miles round trip to lower, 2.2 miles to middle and 3 miles total for upper pools). Lower Emerald Pools is an easy, shady walk with water features; Upper is steeper but very doable for older kids and rewards you with quieter pools and neat rock formations. The Middle Pools were not very impressive to us, but if you decide to go to the Upper Pools you will go through this area.

Scout Trail:

The most challenging hike we did (4 miles round trip)! Prepare for climbing some high elevation with a steep final scramble, but memorable. Our kids loved the sense of adventure and the payoff views. This trail actually leads right into Angels Landing, which I DO NOT recommend for children and you need a permit to climb.

Weeping Rock:

Extremely short (0.4 miles round trip), but unique: dripping rock alcove covered in plants. Good quick stop for curious kids.

Riverside Walk:

Flat, paved, and family-friendly, but expect crowds (about 2 miles round trip). It’s the gateway to the Narrows; the river views are lovely and easy for kids who need a gentler outing. Because of the flat, paved terrain, there were more strollers and lots of people, because of this reason, it was not our favorite hike.

Pa’rus Trail:

Very flat, paved, great for biking or even strollers (1.7 miles ONE WAY). A nice warm up walk. We went off the paved pathway to grab this shot down by the river, would be a nice place to cool off in the summer or have a little bite to eat.

Zion NP Shuttle system

Most of Zion Canyon is shuttle-only (park vehicles are not allowed on the main Scenic Drive). The shuttle runs frequently and stops at most major trailheads (Zion Canyon Visitor Center, Court of the Patriarchs, Zion Lodge, The Grotto, etc.).
Board early to get seats, buses can fill up, and LONG waiting lines form during peak hours (think Disneyland). Shuttles are free and frequent.
Not all shuttle stops go in both directions (which we learned the hard way). There are 9 bus stops, but bus stops #2, #3 and #8 only go DOWN, not up the canyon. This became a problem for us when we found street parking near stop #3 and wanted to go up, but couldn’t. So we walked up to #4, which I DO NOT recommend. It would have been better if we took the shuttle down to #1 (the visitor center) and then caught a bus back up.
You can also bike the Scenic Drive if you want more flexibility, there are lots of places to rent e-bikes in town. Because there are no cars allowed on the scenic drive, it feels safer for the e-bikers. You do need to be at least 12 years of age and accompanied by an adult to rent the e-bike, which will run you about $80 per day, $40 for 1/2 day (so, not cheap).
The shuttle system does not take you to the Canyon Overlook Trail. That you need to find street parking and can be very difficult! So get an early start.

Parking in Zion NP

Parking near the Visitor Center can be scarce; on busy days it fills EARLY!! We got there by 8:30 one morning and it was already FULL. Expect bottlenecks comparable to theme-park crowds at peak times (holiday weekends, spring break, etc…).
Arrive early (before 7:30am) or possibly very late afternoon and try to catch someone leaving to avoid the worst congestion. If staying in Springdale, consider walking or using local shuttles to the park entrance to skip parking headaches.

Tips for hiking with kids

Layer clothing: temperature shifts and narrow shaded canyons make light layers useful.
Bring plenty of water and snacks: even shorter hikes feel longer for kids. Refillable bottles are accepted at many park water stations. We love our water backpacks!
Wear sturdy shoes with good traction: some trails have loose rock or slick surfaces near water. We all got new hiking boots before we went and I am so glad.
Safety first on exposed trails (Scout Trail, Canyon Overlook): watch for loose rocks or wild animals. We also loved using our new hiking poles for added stability.
Start with easier hikes (Overlook, Lower Emerald Pools, Riverside) and work up to longer or more exposed routes.

Places to eat (near the park)

Zion Lodge dining room: Convenient if you’re inside the canyon off of shuttle stop #5. Kid-friendly, but the line was very long at lunch time!
Springdale cafés and diners: A short drive from the park entrance, Springdale has a variety of family-friendly options: pizza places, sandwich shops, and casual American fare. We liked quick stops for burgers or tacos after a long day hiking. Our favorite treat was ice cream from Bumbleberry Bakery.
Pack lunches: Bringing picnic food for midday hikes lets you avoid shuttle timing stress and gives you flexibility. We did this everyday and had no regrets.
A Nicer Dinner Option: We did one dinner out at Wild Thyme Bistro, a little further from town, but on our way to our resort. The ambience was really nice with tables outside on the lawn. The food wasn’t anything remarkable, but I did enjoy the burger.

Final thoughts

Zion is an incredible family destination; dramatic scenery, accessible kid-friendly hikes, and a shuttle system that helps manage traffic (once you get the hang of it). With a little planning around parking and a mix of easy and adventurous hikes, it’s a perfect spot for kids who love exploring.

Here’s a possible itinerary to follow…

Day 1: Arrival, easy warm-up, and shuttle intro

Morning: Arrive early (aim BEFORE 7:30 AM). Park near the Visitor Center or use Springdale shuttle/parking if lots are full. Pick up park map and shuttle schedule.
Late morning: Take the shuttle to Emerald Pools. Hike Lower Pools (easy), consider going to middle and upper pools (slightly harder, but not bad).
Lunch: Picnic anywhere
Afternoon: Explore Riverside Walk from the Temple of Sinawava (flat, paved, kid-friendly). Walk partway into the Narrows if the kids want to wade (check river conditions & gear).
Evening: Dinner in Springdale. Settle into lodging; prep layers, water, and snacks for next day.

Day 2: Scout Lookout, Weeping Rock and Family Downtime

Early morning: Take the shuttle to Scout Lookout (which is the same trail for Angels Landing, but you won’t do the final ascent). This hike is difficult, but mainly because of the elevation change! Take is slow, take breaks, and enjoy the views along the way.
Midday: Return by shuttle to Zion Lodge for lunch (or picnic). Rest at the Lodge/green area.
Afternoon: Make a stop for Weeping Rock, this will not take you very long at all since it is super short.
Late afternoon: Relax back at the lodge or return to Springdale for ice cream/early dinner. Rehydrate and stretch.

Day 3: Canyon Overlook, Bikes and Pa’rus Trail

Early Morning: Drive straight through the tunnel to go to Canyon Overlook. Parking is very limited, the early bird gets the worm. This is not a long hike, but once you reach the top you will want to stay for a while to take in the views.
Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Drive back to Springdale for brunch, then possibly rent bikes for a 1/2 day (many shops near park entrance). Ride the Pa’rus Trail from the Visitor Center toward the canyon. You can bike the whole trail to the campground area and back (distance flexible). You could also take the bikes to any of the other trails again if you wanted. If not biking, then you can also walk the Pa’rus trail and just hang out by the water’s edge.
Evening: Pack up, one last scenic drive to the park entrance, and depart when traffic is lighter.