The last of our whirlwind post-Christmas Utah swing through three national parks, a state park, and BLM land, Zion is always a crowd favorite. And the crowds were out in force. Pandemic or not, holiday season or not, Zion was packed. Zion Canyon itself was closed without a reservation, so we confined our visit to the eastern side of the park. Still absolutely stunning!

Paula and I visited east Zion on December 30, 2020 and remained confined to our car except for photo taking to remain Covid safe. I was thrilled for her to see the beauty within the park. While I love everything about Zion National Park, the east side has an appeal to me because it is so different from Zion Canyon. Most of the granite structures are white instead of red. There is usually less traffic on the east side, but not this day, as you weren’t allowed onto a shuttle into the canyon without a pre-approved reservation. So everyone crowded to the east.

The drive along the Zion-Mount Carmel road (Hwy 9) is breathtaking, including through the mile-long tunnel and the twisty, winding road down to the canyon level. We did manage to find a picnic table with some solitude for a nice lunch in a pleasant breeze.

We were there a total of about five hours and left late in the afternoon to head back to our home in western Colorado. About that… on the drive back we learned that the AirBnB host might have contracted Covid from family over Christmas while we were gone.

Pivot to an emergency home search, and an abrupt change of plans. Instead of spending the last four days of our AirBnB contract there, we found a hotel room in Grand Junction where we stayed, and Paula worked, including on New Year’s Day. She has taught me to be adaptive and quick on my feet leading the nomad life.

This gallery includes pictures from the east side of Zion National Park in Utah. Enjoy the photos, and please feel free to comment.

The only trail in Zion National Park that is suitable for wheelchairs, allows your pets to join you, and is also bicycle friendly. Pa’rus is from a Paiute word meaning “bubbling, tumbling water.” Both Oak Creek and Pine Creek cross this paved pathway that winds along the Virgin River between the Visitor Center and Canyon Junction. Ideal for start of day or end of day strolls, the sunset in particular dances off the Navajo sandstone formations that surround the river valley. It’s a great way to warm up your legs for the tougher hikes later, or to wind down with a riverside evening stroll. Every time we go to Zion we take in the Pa’rus. The latest was on Monday, October 13, 2014 beginning at 5:30PM and ending about 7:00PM. Our plan was to catch the sunset.

After riding the shuttle back to the Visitor Center following our hike to Observation Point, we still had some time to savor the sights and sounds of Zion. Immediately, the Pa’rus came to mind. For already tired legs, this simple trail is pure relaxation, especially when enjoying at sunset.

South Campground is directly across the street from the Visitor Center, and so too the Pa’rus. The first quarter mile walks directly through the campground with the Virgin River on your right and the tents and popups on the left. As you clear the camping area, the valley is alive with desert scrub. In mid-October we caught the flowering rabbitbrush and even some desert thorn apple.

Keep your eyes and ears open for the occasion bicycle as they can sneak up on you. Stepping out in front of one would not be pleasant for either of you.

The primary landmarks along the way include the Watchman Tower at the far southern end of Zion and the West Temple and the Sentinel on the west side of the river. Also on the west side is the Zion Human History Museum with the Towers of the Virgin sandstone formations directly behind. There is a particularly scenic spot behind the museum at sunrise, so plan accordingly.

As you get more toward Canyon Junction and the northern end of the Pa’rus, there are several footbridges that cross the Virgin River. I have found from experience over the years that most of the best photographs of the area come from these bridges. There are fewer distractions, and you can look directly down the path of the river as you zero in on the picturesque landmarks in the background.

October is after the rainy season, so there won’t be much whitewater in the river. If you’re looking for that, then it’s best to try the Pa’rus in spring. Low river water conditions do make it ideal, however, for The Narrows in Zion Canyon… one of the best hikes in Zion, if not the world.

What October does offer though, is the bright golden Fall coloring of the cottonwood trees that line the Virgin River. These twisty, gnarly desert poplars love to hang around creeks and rivers and are especially tolerant of floods, a common occurrence in canyon country. The cottonwood is distinguished by its deeply fissured bark and triangular to diamond-shaped leaves that glisten in the sunlight much like the quaking aspen.

When you reach the end of the Pa’rus Trail at Canyon Junction you can return the way you came, or hop on a shuttle bus for a ride back to the Visitor Center. If you’re totally enjoying the stroll along Virgin River, you can continue on into Zion Canyon, but you will no longer have the smooth, paved trail underfoot.

To summarize, the Pa’rus Trail isn’t intended to test your stamina or endurance, or challenge your technical hiking abilities. It is simply a scenic walk along the Virgin River that enables you to relax and enlighten your senses with the Zion experience. It is family and pet friendly, handicapped accessible, and level. It’s for anyone, from 9 months to 90 years. If you visit during the hot summer season be sure to slather on the sunscreen because it is exposed, and always bring water to drink in the desert. I especially recommend the Pa’rus Trail as either a sunrise or sunset excursion.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.