Ultimate Guide To Hiking The Narrows in Zion National Park
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As the sun dipped below the towering cliffs of Zion National Park, casting a warm glow on the Virgin River, I found myself on an impromptu journey to the heart of nature’s masterpiece – The Narrows. With no plan but the thrill of the unknown, Memorial Day weekend unfolded into an unforgettable adventure. Join me as I unveil the secrets of Zion’s enchanting canyon and share the ultimate guide to conquering The Narrows, where the river becomes the trail and every step immerses you in a thousand feet of raw emotion and natural wonder
Edit June 2023: The Narrows are open again! Keep scrolling below to learn more about hiking the Narrows at Zion National Park. Prepare for your hike, and expect the water to be cold (around 50F), and it may get quite deep unexpectedly as well. Be safe out there, and have fun!
What is The Narrows Hike?
The Narrows hike is one of the most popular in Zion National Park. The trail takes you to the narrowest section of Zion Canyon. And in a surprise twist, the trail is actually the Virgin River, after the first mile! You will be surrounded by a thousand feet tall walls.
If you are in a wheelchair, don’t let that stop you because you can still enjoy the first mile of the trail, which is a paved trail called the Riverside Walk. You will be able to see the river and the tall walls from this Riverside Walk trail.
When is the best time to hike The Narrows?
A successful hike of the Narrows is often dependent on the weather.
In winter and early spring, the weather may be colder, and the water levels higher. This means the hike could be closed to the public for safety reasons.
Summer and early fall are the most popular times of the year to hike the Narrows since the water should be warmer and water levels should be lower as well. Again, be mindful of flash floods! Make sure you check the weather forecast before your trip and on the day of your hike.
The Narrows Hiking Options
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There are two ways to hike the narrows:
- Bottom-Up Hike from the Temple of Sinawava (Wilderness Permit not required)
- Top-Down Hike: 16-mile through-hike from Chamberlain’s Ranch. A Wilderness Permit is required for this hike, plus your own transportation to the trailhead. Unfortunately, I have not yet experienced this option, but I shall update this post once I have.
The Bottom-Up Hike of The Narrows (no permit required!)
IMPORTANT! Before you head to the shuttle, make sure you have all the equipment you need with you! You can either buy your own ahead of time, or you can rent it out. All the equipment details are included below.
Hiking the Narrows is easy as 1, 2, 3!
1: Zion National Park Shuttle
I slept at the Watchman campground the night before, which really was a great location because I could walk to the visitor center’s shuttle bus station (#1).
From there, I took the shuttle bus to the Temple of Sinawava (#9), the last stop on the shuttle route which takes about 45 mins to get to.
The shuttle schedule differs depending on the time of the year you visit the park, so be sure to check the schedule on the park’s website.
2: Riverside Walk Trail
Once you arrive at the Temple of Sinawava, the trailhead is well-marked.
You first hike about a mile on a paved trail named the Riverside Walk, along the Virgin River. This is a pretty scenic walk in itself, and well worth the visit even if you don’t want to hike in the water.
But after a mile, the paved path ends, and the Virgin River becomes the trail. And for me, that’s when the real fun starts!
3: The Narrows!
You can hike out all the way to Big Spring, which would make your hike a ten-mile round trip. But you can also hike in the river for a short while and turn around whenever you like. Doing the bottom-up hike allows you to see some of the most spectacular and narrowest parts of the canyon.
After a while, the river splits into two. Taking the left fork will allow you to stay on the way to Big Spring. There will be another fork shortly after, and you’ll have to take the right path there to stay on the North Fork.
Personally, I really enjoyed the river hike. Sometimes the water was only ankle-deep, other times waist-deep. I would recommend coming prepared, being aware of your comfort levels, and also paying attention to your energy levels. Walking in the river is quite tiring. Make sure you turn around before you get tired.
Hiking equipment for The Narrows
The air temperature was close to 100F in the canyon that day, but the Virgin River’s water temperature was just 47F!
Waterproof gear for hiking
I wore the wetsuit bottoms and paddle shoes that I usually wear for stand-up paddleboarding, and I was very comfortable. These are the exact pants I wore, and these are Amazon’s best-selling wetsuit pants. Many people wore shorts, but I overheard several people complain that the water was chilly. At the same time though, I am sure it was also refreshing given the air temperature.
Some families got to the trailhead only to realize that they were not equipped for the hike!! Make sure you get there prepared!
Hiking poles for river trails
I was glad I had both my hiking poles with me. They helped me feel more stable in the water, and I think they also helped me go further on the hike. Had I only taken a single wooden stick with me, I probably would have turned around earlier than I did.
Dry Bag
I had a dry bag with me to keep electronics, food, and a change of clothes dry. I stored it inside my regular backpack, but you could also buy or rent a dry bag that is the whole backpack.
Zion Outfitter Rental for the Narrows
If you don’t have any waterproof gear with you, you can rent equipment to hike The Narrows from a store named Zion Outfitter in Springdale.
The store is located just outside the pedestrian park entrance, and near the visitor center where you take the shuttle to the trailhead.
So plan ahead and get your gear before you take the shuttle to the trailhead!
Most people I saw had rented waterproof shoes, neoprene socks, and a tall wooden stick.
Planning on backpacking soon? Read this blog post about investing in backpacking gear.
Final Thoughts
My Narrows hiking experience was a blast and I would definitely hike the bottom-up hike again, but I think I’ll be planning a top-down overnight hike for my next visit.
Ready to embark on your own Narrows adventure? Share your experiences, ask questions, or let me know your favorite hiking spots in the comments below!
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Post originally published on June 11, 2022, and last updated on November 21, 2024.
