From our beautiful spa to our unique rooms, a stay at Cliffrose Lodge can be the perfect romantic getaway. But don’t let our serene setting fool you—our Zion Canyon resort is also a great base camp for a family vacation!
Multiple pools offer the perfect spot to cool off on a hot day. Spacious rooms and suites provide plenty of space for your family to relax. And our location, less than half a mile from the entrance to Zion National Park, makes it easy to explore the park during your stay.
Zion might be well-known for challenging trails like Angels Landing and The Narrows. But the park is also home to plenty of easier, family-friendly trails. Planning a visit to our Springdale hotel with the whole family? Keep reading to learn about a few of the best kid-friendly hikes to enjoy during your stay.
Pa’rus Trail
Perhaps the best kid-friendly trail in Zion National Park is the Pa’rus Trail. This 3.5-mile, one-way trail starts at the entrance to the park. In fact, the trailhead is located at the pedestrian entrance to the park. You can walk from our Zion Canyon resort to the park’s entrance, and hop right on this trail.
Pa’rus Trail is paved throughout and allows bikes, dogs, scooters, and strollers. This makes it a great trail for small children. Bring their bikes and let them ride the trail, or bring a stroller along in case little legs get tired.
The trail meanders along the Virgin River, with plenty of overlooks along the way to look down at the water, not to mention some incredible views of Zion’s peaks. Pa’rus Trail is lined with wildflowers in the spring and early summer, and it isn’t unusual to spot mule deer quietly grazing along the trail, especially in the morning and before sunset.
Keep in mind that this trail is quite exposed in long stretches throughout the 3.5 miles. This means that in the summer months, it can get very hot, particularly in the middle of the day. If you’re visiting our Zion accommodation during this time, plan to hike early in the day or just a couple of hours before sunset.
Weeping Rock Trail
At just under a half mile in length, Weeping Rock Trail is an excellent spot to test out your children’s hiking abilities and introduce them to all of the fun that they’re going to have on other trails.
Weeping Rock Trail is .4 miles in total and is paved for the entirety of the trail. While it may be short, it’s certainly not short on views. The trail’s namesake is a large alcove carved into the sandstone cliff. You can climb up to the viewing platform underneath the alcove, and look out at the vegetation that drops from the edges like a hanging garden.
Below the platform, you can take a few steps down to the Weeping Rock stream. In the summer months, your little ones will love cooling off in the water.
If your children are older, this is likely to be just a 10-minute walk for you. But the trail is a bit steep, so younger children may take a bit more time. If you plan to bring a stroller, keep in mind that you’ll be pushing it uphill most of the way.
Riverside Walk
To actually hike the length of The Narrows, one of the world’s best and biggest slot canyons, you’d need to plan at least one night spent roughing it on the trails, not to mention plenty of time to walk the more than 16 miles.
But for those traveling with children who still want to experience the slot canyon, there’s the Riverside Walk. This paved trail takes visitors to the mouth of the canyon. At 2.2 miles roundtrip, it’s short and easy enough for many children. For little feet or those who have already hiked a trail or two today, you can always bring a stroller.
Canyon Overlook Trail
One sight that is a must for any families traveling with children is the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Little ones will be fascinated by the length of this amazing tunnel. Once you’ve driven through it, head to the trailhead for Canyon Overlook Trail.
While it may not quite be Angel’s Landing, this trail still offers incredible views but is only one mile to hike out and back. This is an ideal hike for anyone looking to get their children hooked on hiking!
Planning Your Family Vacation at Our Zion Canyon Resort
Whether you plan to spend your time hiking in Zion, taking day trips to destinations like Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, or simply enjoying all that our Zion Canyon resort has to offer, a stay at Cliffrose Lodge is a great choice for your family vacation. These trails are a great choice for kids of all ages and families looking to share the incredible views this national park is known for.
Ready to start planning your next family vacation? Book your stay at our Springdale hotel today!