Utah · Hiking · Near Hurricane

Pa'rus - A Living Canyon

Pa'rus - A Living CanyonPhoto: NPS/Abi Farish
Feb–May, Oct–Nov
best months

Is Pa'rus - A Living Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Zion National Park. It doesn't name Pa'rus - A Living Canyon, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

  • Narrows and All Slot Canyons in Zion National Park Closed

    Park closure covering Zion National Park · NPS · Zion National Park

  • Watchman Trail closed

    Park closure covering Zion National Park · NPS · Zion National Park

  • Toxic cyanobacteria in rivers, streams, and pools

    Park alert covering Zion National Park · NPS · Zion National Park

  • Large vehicle restrictions on Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway

    Park alert covering Zion National Park · NPS · Zion National Park

As of · Source: NPS · Zion National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

A Living Canyon Learn Zion's diverse topography leads to a diversity of habitats and species. Along the Virgin River, the riparian area is home to plants and animals that require an abundant supply of water. Fremont cottonwood trees (Populus fremontii) require a constant source of water and thrive along the Virgin River. When Fremont cottonwoods have access to reliable water, they can grow between 10–20 feet per year. These trees can also be helpful for streambank protection and are able to withstand low levels of flooding. The riparian area is also the perfect habitat for the American beaver. You may not immediately think of the American beaver when in the Southwest, but the Virgin River provides a welcome habitat for this river specialist. Sightings are rare, but evidence of the beaver's activity can be seen on many of the park's Fremont cottonwood trees. They do most of their tree-chewing during the night when the cover of darkness helps them to avoid predators. Look Have you seen any evidence of wildlife along the trail? The tall shrubs and plants along the trail like Utah Juniper and Rabbitbrush provide food and shelter for a variety of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Along the trail keep an eye out for wildlife like mule deer, road runner, and western scrub jays. Connect Zion Canyon would be inhospitable for plants and wildlife without water. How would our experience as visitors change if there were no water present in Zion Canyon?

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    South Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.2 mi from the trail
  • If it rainsDon Graham from Redlands, CA, USA - God bless it!, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Zion Human History Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 1 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Don Graham from Redlands, CA, USA - God bless it!, CC BY-SA 2.0 (commons)

More in Hurricane

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Feb–May, Oct–Nov

    Best time to visit Pa'rus - A Living Canyon

    Best months: February–May and October–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      54° / 30°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      58° / 34°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      66° / 39°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      73° / 44°

      6 wet

    5. May

      83° / 53°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      95° / 62°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      100° / 70°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      98° / 69°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      91° / 61°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      78° / 49°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      64° / 37°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      53° / 29°

      6 wet · 1 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Zion Np, UT, 0.4 mi away at 4,038 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Pa'rus - Changing Landscapes

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