Zion National Park is one of Mike & I’s absolute favorite national parks to visit and it’s also the first national park we took our daughter to at 6 months old. Now after wrapping up another season working at Lake Powell we headed back to Zion for another visit with our now 20 month old girlie.
Stunning red rock scenery, charming shops & restaurants, amazing campground vibes, and family friendly walks make Zion a place we will keep on visiting with our family.
Whether you have a baby in a stroller or a toddler running around Zion National Park is a place you will love to getaway too. In this post we are sharing 5 great things to do in Zion National Park with your babies & toddlers.
#1. Explore the Pa’rus Trail
If you are looking for an easy way to get some stunning Zion views while bringing a stroller with supplies AND your pups then the Pa’rus trail is your trail! This popular 3.2 mile trail is a paved path that starts from the Zion Canyon visitor center and meanders along the virgin river all the way to Canyon Junction. The path is stroller, wheelchair, and bike friendly so you can explore this trail in whichever way suits you best.
There are 5 different bridge crossings over the virgin river which make for spectacular views for the whole family to explore. We took our time looking at all the different plants and the various holes in the dirt where many animals make their home. This is also the only pet friendly trail in the park.
The trail is fully exposed so I wouldn’t recommend this on a summer afternoon. However you if do find that you need some shade there are several overhangs with benches and plaques to rest & learn about the landscape.
Along the trail you can also stop at the Zion Nature Center for Junior Ranger activities or learn about Native Americans at the Zion Human History Museum.
#2. Have a Picnic at Zion National Park Lodge
The Zion National Park Lodge is a great spot to bring a soccer ball, pack a picnic and spend the afternoon admiring the park’s stunning canyon walls. This has become one of our favorite things to do in the park because it allows the family to experience the beauty of Zion while allowing the kids to run around and be outside. You can visit the park lodge via the parks free shuttle system or if you book a room you can drive right to the lodge in your car. And if you get hungry you can grab a bite to eat at the Castle Dome Cafe or the Red Rock Grill.
#3. Visit the Animals Behind the Bumbleberry Inn
The Bumbleberry Inn itself is a great place to stay during your visit to Zion if you are looking for a family friendly accommodation in the area. It boosts a large gift shop with tons of unique souvenirs, an ice cream parlor which is a big win on a hot summer day, and it’s a prime location for accessing the other restaurants and cafes in town. My parents stayed here on our first visit in 2022 and absolutely loved it. The rooms were nice and they had a stunning view of the canyon walls from their patio.
But what you might not know is located behind the Inn is a property with tons of farm animals. They have goats, chickens, ducks, and several other animals for kids to see and feed if they want. There have a sign posted on the fence indicating what the goats like to eat and what they don’t. Our 1.5 year old loved seeing all the animals and they came right up to her looking for food. It was a really fun stop in our day and something we will continue to do when we visit Zion.
It’s important to note that the owners do ask that you do not venture past the animals as it is private property.
#4. Spend the night in Watchman Campground
Watchman Campground is one of the best national park campgrounds we’ve stayed in and is a great spot for either RV or tent camping. There is water available throughout the campground, bathrooms, dish washing stations and many electric sites available. It’s a short walk to the visitor center and Zion Canyon Village where you’ll find the Happy Camper Market stocked in any last minute needs. There are showers available right outside the park in Springdale however we have never used them so I’m not sure of the quality. We watched the moon rise over the rocks every night and enjoyed the peaceful ambience of the campground.
#5. Explore the Town of Springdale
If you’re planning a trip to Zion National Park with young kids then you have to spend a day exploring the town of Springdale. Springdale is the gateway town to Zion and is located just steps from the entrance station. Our favorite things about Springdale is that it’s very walkable and bike – able, we felt extremely safe walking around at night, and there is a shuttle that will take you to several stops throughout town including the entrance to Zion National Park.
Grab a cold refreshing snack from Desert Ice, enjoy a colorful sunset dinner from Thai Sapa, or run around the playground at the Springdale Town Park. You will love your time in Springdale!
I hope this helps play your family trip to Zion National Park! Let me know in the comments what are your favorite things to do in Zion with your babies and toddlers.
