Day 1 In Zion National Park--Riverwalk

Zion National Park Red cliffs
Zion National Park

Zion parking lot showing cars and red cliffs. Sign points to Watchman and Par'Us Trails
Zion Parking Lot

Zion National Park is different from the other Utah parks because the canyon in Zion is formed by the Virgin River. The Virgin River flows year round, so it can work all the time cutting the canyon. This is unlike the erosion feature in Bryce National Park, and Cedar Breaks National Monument which were created by a combination of flash flood, freezing and thawing, and wind.

Black and White Photo of Zion Cliffs and twisted tree
Zion National Park

We were surprised by the size of the crowds at Zion. The campgrounds were full, the lodge was full, and the motels near the park were full. Based on our experience in other National Parks, we assumed that in mid-September the crowds would have thinned out quite a bit. Instead we found large crowds everywhere. Many of them were from overseas enjoying the beauty of our country.

All travel in the canyon part of Zion is by shuttle buses. We found that the shuttle system was very efficient and the drivers were very helpful. Because Zion is a small park, it would be impossible to accommodate any significant number of private cars in the park.

Riverwalk in the Virgin River

Our son-in-law told us that we had to take the Riverwalk hike in the Virgin River. So we got on the shuttle (along with a full shuttle of other people with the same idea), and headed to the Temple of Sinawava where the walk begins.

The first part of the walk is paved and takes you by a swamp and lush vegetation. It seems so out of place in the desert. Then the trail ends at the river.

From here on you walk in the river. We were glad that we'd packed our hiking sticks and good hiking shoes. Our feet were well protected from the rocks in the river and the hiking sticks allowed us to keep our balance while protecting camera gear.

Swamp at start of Riverwalk Zion National Park
Swamp Zion National Park
Small waterfall in the Virgin River Zion National Park
Waterfall in Virgin River Zion National Park
Virgin River Zion National Park
Virgin River Zion National Park
Riverwalk Zion National Park showing Virgin River and hikers
Riverwalk Zion National Park
Virgin River and Waterfall along Riverwalk
Riverwalk Zion National Park
Waterfall entering Virgin River from Canyon Wall
Riverwalk Zion National Park
Canyon Walls along Riverwalk
Riverwalk Zion National Park
Narrow canyon walls along riverwalk
Zion National Park
Sunlit dark canyon wall along Riverwak
Riverwalk Zion National Park
Narrow canyon walls along Riverwalk
Riverwalk Zion National Park
Narrow canyon walls along riverwalk
Riverwalk Zion National Park
Looking along Virgin River back toward riverwalk
Virgin River Zion National Park

The river was full of people of all kinds making the hike. Some had babies in backpack carriers and others had small children walking with them. I suspect that this kids had to be carried at the end of the day. Then there were some people that could barely walk.

There were guided tours with t-shirts and logos on their hats and hiking sticks, groups hiking on their own, and individual hikers like us. A thousand of our closest friends as my wife said. (Her count might not have been too bad--at least part of the hike is attempted by over 3,000 people a day in the summer.

In mid-September conditions were ideal for the hike. The water was warm, and except for a few places never above knee high.

Why were we all there? Because the beauty of the place starts as soon as you get off the shuttle. The walk up the river is something that we'll never forget and that we want to to again.