The Grotto in Zion National Park

The Grotto is found in Zion National Park, a short, unpaved trail that connects the lodge to the picnic area. Many tourists and travelers enjoy this one mile walk, and hikers use it as a useful connector route to many of the maps most popular trails. It offers scenic views and a rewarding stop with complete facilities.

Picnicking is one activity that almost everyone on the planet enjoys, no matter where it may be taken. However, Zion National Park, like many protected areas, has specific places where guests can go to enjoy picnics, barbecuing and other feeding frenzies without causing critical damage to the fragile environment. The Grotto Trail leads to the park's most famous picnic venue, also baring the same name.

The Grotto Trail is short and unpaved. It stretches only a mile from the Grotto Picnic Area to the main lodge. Most of the park's main trails also see their start at the Grotto, including the Angels Landing, West Rim, Kayenta and Lady Mountain. The Behunin Canyon and its rappelling slot canyons can also be accessed from the picnic grounds.

The trail section is easy for most and is very well taken care of. It is well shaded and provides relief from the summer heat as it leads to the picnic facilities. Both the trail and the facilities are open most of the year, depending on the weather.

The picnic spot is favored by most hikers because it has plenty of water supplies and complementary water bottles. It is only small in size, but the area is the main venue for most park children's programs, providing excellent chats from local rangers.

The facilities and amenities in the picnicking spot are pretty standard and strict rules are in place to keep the park safe from fire other destructive forces. These include picnic tables, washrooms and fire grates. All fire wood has to either be brought in from outside the park or purchased from the lodge. No wood gathering is ever permitted within the park.