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Zion National with Kids in July
Posted on 6/15/25 at 8:44 pm
Posted on 6/15/25 at 8:44 pm
I know it will be very hot and I don’t want to do anything too strenuous. Looking for recommendations on the best “kid friendly” hikes or any other advice. Thanks guys
8
Posted on 6/15/25 at 9:29 pm to tigerO
Will be hot and crowded. There are a few car friendly parts of the park, but mostly it is a hiking park. There should be information online about each of the hikes you can access via the shuttles so read and plan accordingly. Don't know how old your kids are, but you should look at the Narrows. You'll have to walk in water and rent waders, but it is a good hike and you can decide for yourself how far you want to go in.
Posted on 6/16/25 at 11:13 am to tigerO
Yes it's primarily a hiking/biking park. Renting ebikes is a great way to see/smell/feel the canyon as opposed to packing into the shuttle. Also support the Narrows. Go at your own pace and turn around when you're halfway to "had enough".
I recommend The Watchman trail to the overlook. About 1.5mi and +850' one way.
Another is Pine Creek. Park at 37°12'59.8"N 112°57'55.8"W to access. Easy walk to the waterfall and pool.
Walking along the Virgin River from the lodge southward to Court of the Patriarchs should offer wildlife opportunities in the mornings and evenings.
I recommend The Watchman trail to the overlook. About 1.5mi and +850' one way.
Another is Pine Creek. Park at 37°12'59.8"N 112°57'55.8"W to access. Easy walk to the waterfall and pool.
Walking along the Virgin River from the lodge southward to Court of the Patriarchs should offer wildlife opportunities in the mornings and evenings.
Posted on 6/17/25 at 8:06 am to SloaneRanger
We were there at the end of April - last major stop on 6+ week camping odyssey. Camped at Watchman campground
Temps were already hitting near 100 deg in daytime. Crowds were growing. Can't imagine riding the shuttles when full. Taking the shuttle from the visitor center to the last stop takes well over 1/2 hour.
The Pa'rus trail parallel to Zion Park Blvd is pretty nice - esp morning & evening. It runs basically from visitor center to where the restricted access is.
Lots of bike rental places...
Temps were already hitting near 100 deg in daytime. Crowds were growing. Can't imagine riding the shuttles when full. Taking the shuttle from the visitor center to the last stop takes well over 1/2 hour.
The Pa'rus trail parallel to Zion Park Blvd is pretty nice - esp morning & evening. It runs basically from visitor center to where the restricted access is.
Lots of bike rental places...
Posted on 6/17/25 at 7:04 pm to tigerO
As others have stated rent e-bikes. Emerald pools hike is great for all levels.
The main road in the canyon (where you would be e biking) is shaded all morning so get there early and it’s not that hot.
The main road in the canyon (where you would be e biking) is shaded all morning so get there early and it’s not that hot.
Posted on 6/18/25 at 1:39 pm to tigerO
Kids ages are very important. Some of the hikes are very steep, we went in 2022 when my kids were 3, 5, and 8 and it made me very nervous with them. If they are older its really not an issue at all.
I wouldn't think you'd need waders in the summer as the water will be cold but feel good?
Its a great park to bike, the trams are going to suck during the summer. They sucked in November of 2022. Well not sucked, but just wasn't great.
Beautiful park, the deer were mating when I was there and there were bucks chasing does around the campground every night. My daughter was within 3-4 ft of being plowed over walking to the bathroom by a doe being chased by a buck. Obviously that won't happen in summer but I'm sure you'll see deer and turkey.
I wouldn't think you'd need waders in the summer as the water will be cold but feel good?
Its a great park to bike, the trams are going to suck during the summer. They sucked in November of 2022. Well not sucked, but just wasn't great.
Beautiful park, the deer were mating when I was there and there were bucks chasing does around the campground every night. My daughter was within 3-4 ft of being plowed over walking to the bathroom by a doe being chased by a buck. Obviously that won't happen in summer but I'm sure you'll see deer and turkey.
Posted on 6/19/25 at 1:09 pm to baldona
quote:
Kids ages are very important. Some of the hikes are very steep, we went in 2022 when my kids were 3, 5, and 8 and it made me very nervous with them. If they are older its really not an issue at all.
I read the Death in the Grand Canyon book a few months ago and one thing the author mentioned that I thought was interesting is that of all the many deaths from people falling into the GC, a very small percentage have been children.
Make what you want of that, I'd be nervous with children around steep cliffs as well, but I just thought that it was an interesting fact.
Posted on 6/20/25 at 4:14 pm to tigerO
Camelback or other water bag is a must. Go early or late. Several trails around the park entrance area that are safe to do late in the evening.
IF you do the narrows:
-rent boots and walking sticks. You have to get fitted a day or so before. Don’t do it day of. If you don’t want to rent boots then I’d recommend not going. Especially with kids.
- get there early. Don’t remember when there shuttles start but it’s a 15-20 min shuttle ride best I can remember. Be first in line.
- the walk in is great if you are early. You will get wet and have to wade in spots depending on water levels.
- it’s cold and slick. The boots help with providing traction and ankle stability but it’s tough for kids depending on there age.
- once you turn around and hike back it’ll be packed. Enjoy the walk in, it’ll be a long line of people you are passing when you walk back and not a ton of areas to sit and chill.
Aside from that some of the nearby river floats are fun. Cold water feels good in the heat. You float on your own tube.
I didn’t care of the ATV/UTV “trails”. Unless someone has specific recommendations most of the trails were dusty gravel roads. Never found anything that was actually off road riding thru the woods.
IF you do the narrows:
-rent boots and walking sticks. You have to get fitted a day or so before. Don’t do it day of. If you don’t want to rent boots then I’d recommend not going. Especially with kids.
- get there early. Don’t remember when there shuttles start but it’s a 15-20 min shuttle ride best I can remember. Be first in line.
- the walk in is great if you are early. You will get wet and have to wade in spots depending on water levels.
- it’s cold and slick. The boots help with providing traction and ankle stability but it’s tough for kids depending on there age.
- once you turn around and hike back it’ll be packed. Enjoy the walk in, it’ll be a long line of people you are passing when you walk back and not a ton of areas to sit and chill.
Aside from that some of the nearby river floats are fun. Cold water feels good in the heat. You float on your own tube.
I didn’t care of the ATV/UTV “trails”. Unless someone has specific recommendations most of the trails were dusty gravel roads. Never found anything that was actually off road riding thru the woods.
Posted on 6/20/25 at 4:30 pm to tigerO
We went there for a couple of days with my kids. We stayed at a hotel off park and bussed in.
Hike the narrows. The kids will have to wade in some cold water, but it’ll be a blast. Also, the Three Pools(?) hike was amazing. We did it pretty early and we were the only ones at a couple of the pools.
Bryce Canyon is only a short drive and you can hike through the Hoo Doos in an afternoon.
Hike the narrows. The kids will have to wade in some cold water, but it’ll be a blast. Also, the Three Pools(?) hike was amazing. We did it pretty early and we were the only ones at a couple of the pools.
Bryce Canyon is only a short drive and you can hike through the Hoo Doos in an afternoon.
Posted on 6/21/25 at 2:25 pm to tigerO
I was looking at going last Labor Day when LSU was in Vegas, seem like Bryce Canyon was a better alternative.
Posted on 6/21/25 at 5:29 pm to TigerintheNO
Just did Narrows and Angels Landing a week or so ago.
I just went with some neoprene socks and Simms fly fishing shoes in the narrows with some standard cheap hiking poles.
I flew past the people in rented gear and I am old and slow. The rented boots are pretty garbage. I saw people in sandals with hiking sticks doing just as well as rented boots people. I also recommend doing it early. That canyon gets hot when the fireball gets directly overhead. Also at least one pole or hiking stick is highly recommended.
If you don’t get or want to do the permit part of Angels Landing. Still do Scout Lookout, it’s beautiful and I got to see the condors there. It’s a great hike and watching us fools that do Angels is insane too. Kids can do Scout, July will be the rough thing. Being on first tram or late in the day is key.
Emerald pools is back open, that’s a great hike too. It reopened our first day in the park.
I just went with some neoprene socks and Simms fly fishing shoes in the narrows with some standard cheap hiking poles.
I flew past the people in rented gear and I am old and slow. The rented boots are pretty garbage. I saw people in sandals with hiking sticks doing just as well as rented boots people. I also recommend doing it early. That canyon gets hot when the fireball gets directly overhead. Also at least one pole or hiking stick is highly recommended.
If you don’t get or want to do the permit part of Angels Landing. Still do Scout Lookout, it’s beautiful and I got to see the condors there. It’s a great hike and watching us fools that do Angels is insane too. Kids can do Scout, July will be the rough thing. Being on first tram or late in the day is key.
Emerald pools is back open, that’s a great hike too. It reopened our first day in the park.
This post was edited on 6/21/25 at 6:17 pm
Posted on 6/23/25 at 5:59 pm to tigerO
If you will have a car, head over to Kanarra Falls on the West side of Zion. One of the best hikes that we did. You do need a day permit, so you will need to plan ahead.
This post was edited on 6/23/25 at 6:01 pm
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