Location: Zion National Park – Park Shuttle Map
Distance: 1.5 miles [From the Zion Visitor Center to Stop 3 (Canyon Junction)] OR 0.5 miles [From the Zion Visitor Center to Stop 2 (History Museum)]
Type: Day-hike; Out-and-back
Rating: Very Easy
Permits & Fees: $35 pass for one vehicle (good for 7 days). If parking in the town of Springdale, UT, right outside of the entrance, it is $10 to park and $20 per person (good for 7 days) if walking into park by foot. More information can be found here.
Preparation
No preparation required; walking shoes and water are the only required equipment.
The Hike
This trail can be 0.5 to 1.5 miles long depending on the starting point. I took the Park Shuttle from Stop 9 to Stop 3 and hiked the 1.5 miles back to the Zion Canyon Center instead of taking the shuttle all the way back. This hike is completely paved and crosses over the Virgin River at several points. I highly recommend walking back to the Zion Canyon Trail instead of taking the shuttle, especially when it’s crowded. The shuttle I was on was full and I decided to take advantage of the walking trail. Practically no one else was walking it. The hike is flat and ground-level the entire way and it felt as if I was walking through the heart of the canyon. It was one of the most peaceful experiences I had in the park, and the views were hard to beat:
