Where to hike with a dog in Zion NP: Pa'rus Trail

We never got out of the car on our first visit to Zion National Park, mostly because there was no place to park, but also we couldn't do much with the dog. The views were so spectacular, though, I honestly would have been content to just drive through this extremely crowded park.
But on our second visit, we found what felt like the last parking space on earth right next to the only dog-friendly trail, so I jumped at the chance to walk on the Pa'rus Trail. And I can't recommend it highly enough, with or without a dog.

You can start the trail near the South Campground, but we found a parking space at the Zion Human History Museum, so picked up the trail near there. As you look for the signs pointing you to the trail near the parking lot, keep an eye out for wildlife visiting the canal tucked between the main road (Highway 9) and the parking lot. In the short time we were there, I saw many deer, birds and squirrels drinking out of it.

A sign and path leads you down and under the road, and after you navigate the stairs and uneven pathways from the parking lot, the trail itself is flat and paved, so keep your eyes peeled for bicyclists. And maybe even Bigfoot! (Check out the video to see him and get just a taste of the trail, which has sweeping views of the rock cliffs soaring above you.)

For the most part on our visit we had the trail ourselves, and enjoying those outstanding views in near solitude felt like the second miracle of the day: finding a corner of this very popular park that wasn't teeming with people and vehicles. The first, of course, was finding a parking space!

If the views and relative solitude on this trail aren't enough to tempt you, it also features several bridges over the Virgin River, and many side paths you can use to reach the water. The trail is only 1.7 miles one-way, and mostly flat and accessible.