Zion National Park – The Narrows Hike

on December 26, 2024

Introduction:

What? :

The Narrows is where the North Fork of the Virgin River carved its way through the Navajo sandstone rocks, creating 15 miles long and deep slot canyon.

This is one of Zion’s most popular hikes and there are many good reasons for that.

In this blog I will describe the hike starting at The Temple of Sinawava and walking up the river almost as far as you want or have time. Because this is an out-and back hike you can make it as long as you want.

This is a moderate to strenuous hike depending how far you walk, river walking milage is very low so it better to hike according to your available time and not as the planed milage.

Hiking at the canyon starts with easy paved accessible trail along the river as the gorge get narrower, after 1 mile from the starting point the paved trail ends and hiking from here is in the river itself. Here the massive straight cliff walls are closing on the river from both sides.

From here the trail pass through the river.

You simply hike upriver for as long as you want and enjoy some of the best scenery of the Narrows and then return the same way you came.

Hiking for 5 miles will take you all the way to Big Springs. This is the farthest point you can go without a permit. This is a very popular hike, expect a lot of crowds during the summer months, as farther you will hike upstream you will see less people.

This hike is one of the most famous hikes in the US National Parks.

Not only you are walking inside the river you will be amazed by the spectacular and unique canyon view where people are dwarfed by the massive cliff walls, walls a thousand feet tall where you can’t see their top, and trees find their way to grow in the canyon.

Even a short hike into the canyon worth the effort and the fact you are getting wet.

This is definitely one of my bucket list hikes.

Related Blogs:

Travel Time and Milage to Zion Visitor Center:

Salt Lake City, UT: 4 hours 23 minutes, 308 miles

Las Vegas, NV: 2 hours 39 minutes, 160 miles

St Gorge, UT: 1 hour, 42 miles

Bryce Canyon: 1 hour and 50 minutes, 82 miles

Kanab, UT: 1 hour, 41 miles

Page, AZ: 2 hours 20 minutes, 116 miles

Where is the trailhead and Zion Shuttle System:

The trailhead is located at the end of the road following the park canyon, Virgin River, at The Temple of Sinawava, last stop #9 on the Zion Shuttle.

This ride from the visitor center to the trailhead is approximately 45 minutes long.

For most of the year month you can’t drive up the road that takes you the trailhead and you need to use the free shuttle service that run in the park or by riding bike up the road.

Check at the park website for exact shuttle operation dates and schedule.

You will need to park at the Visitor Center, right near the town of Springdale.

If the visitor center parking lot is full, usually happen at 9am at spring, summer and fall months, you can park at the nearby town (paid parking) and use the town shuttle to get to the visitor center or walk over.

In busy months you can have a waiting line of 30-90 minutes long for getting the shuttle, come as early as you can but expect many others to do exactly the same.

The potential for no available parking near the visitor center and the wait for shuttle must be part of your visit schedule planning.

This shuttle system is hop-on hop-off so you can use it for any stop along it route.

When hiking at the afternoon, know when the last shuttle schedule and plan to be in the shuttle station 30 minutes prior to last ride.

If you miss the last shuttle you will need to walk to the lodge and see if you can get a private transportation from there.

Google Map Link

When? :

Zion National Park is open year-round.

Spring and fall are the preferred time to visit here.

In summer temperatures are about 100f during mid-day so plan accordingly.

Try to start your hike early in the morning or late afternoon, evaluate the trail climbing difficulty and your hiking ability, bring enough water with you, snacks and light food, as well use sunscreen, wear hat, sunglasses and long sleeves.

Summer also is the most crowded time of the years, Zion get several hundreds of thousands of visitors every month, this create a lot of loads on the shuttle system and trail congestion and overcrowded locations.

Winter months are cold, the night temperatures can be below freezing, and the days are around 60f. You might find snow and ice on trails.

One of the many benefits of hiking in Zion National Park is that its canyon elevation is not high (4,000-6,000ft), and most trails are doable year-round, thanks to the typically mild weather.

When it is cold below freezing rangers can close the trail below some section that have water dripping to protect hikers from sliding over the ice that accumulate on the trail below.

Specific considerations when hiking The Narrows:

In my opinion, September and October are the best months to hike the Zion Narrows. The water level will probably be low and less people compare to summer months.

As you get more into mid-late October the better the fall colors will be, and you will have less hikers in the canyon. Take into consideration that further in the late fall you will have shorter daylight, colder air temperatures, and last shuttle time is early.

Another important aspect is the water level and flow, as you will need to walk in the river itself. When water levels are higher, and the faster current makes hiking more challenging.

You can look for flow level at the following page:

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/09405500/#period=P7D&dataTypeId=continuous-00060-0&showMedian=true

I saw that 50 cfs and under is considered easy and very safe, over 70 cfs, hiking is a lot more difficult, especially upstream and when crossing, and may involve with crossing pools that can be chest deep. I will not recommend this water level for the recreational hiker.

If the flow goes to over 150 CFS and during flush flood warnings, The Narrows will be closed to all travel.

Temperatures in the Narrows can be 10 to 20 degrees cooler than the temperatures measured in Springdale, this is great during the hot summer days but become cold during fall and winter.

Spring: Because of snow meltdown and water level The Narrows is usually closed from mid-March to mid-May, the exact closing/opening days vary year to year.

Summer: Air temperatures is hot; canyon temperatures are lower and the days are long. This is the most crowded time of year. Flash floods, as result of summer monsoon rains, are possible this time of year.

Fall: This is a great time to hike the Narrows. Water level are low, fall colors start to appear although you start to have less hours of daylight and colder temperatures.

Winter: It is possible to hike The Narrows during the winter months, but you need to be prepared for cold air and water temperatures and limited daylight. The Zion Shuttle does not run during the winter months, except for select days during the holiday season.

Special equipment for hiking in the water:

I never use “special” hiking equipment when I hiked the Narrows but looks like I “like to suffer” and many other do use renting clothing for this hike.

The specific gear that you can rent will help you enjoy your hike and move through the river more efficiently. When it is cold the dry pant/bib will dramatically help you to protect against the cold water.

For me, I found that it usually not about the air temperature but rather how cold and deep are the waters.

For 40-45f temperatures, as long as the deepest water crossing is no more than heap level, I’m good with bringing with me extra socks and change them after the hike.

In near freezing temperatures it is better to get the waterproof clothing.

A walking stick will make your hike much easier, especially when crossing slippery rocks in strong current.

A pair of closed-toe light walking shoes or boots is a must !

Do not wear hiking sandals for this hike, you will hurt your feet and fingers.

You can rent neoprene socks and canyoneering boots.

During the summer months, when the air and water temperature is warm, you do not need dry pants, when it is very cold dry pants keep your legs dry and helps to keep you warm.

Dry bag inside your “regular backpack” for keeping your camera dry as well as any other item that you do not want them to get wet (phone, wallet, car key, food, spare cloth,…). This is good even water level are low in case you will fall by accident.

Equipment renting companies that I saw online (I do not have personal experience): Zion Adventure Company and Zion Outfitters

Due note 1:

Zion National Park enter pass costs $35 per vehicle. This pass will cover your visits to Zion for one week.

If you want you can buy a year pass for all US National Parks, that will cost you $80.

No need to pay or reserve the free park shuttle.

Due note 2:

Hiking in The Narrows upstream as far as Big Spring does not require a permit.

Permits are required for this 16-mile through-hike of the Virgin River Narrows from Chamberlain's Ranch to the Temple of Sinawava.

Due note 3:

When hiking with kids make sure they are always safe.

They may be more effected by the water flow and can get cold from the water faster.

Due note 4:

Overnight camping is not allowed in the lower section of the canyon.

Due note 5:

Restrooms are located at the trailhead shuttle stop.

There is no cell services in the canyon.

Due note 6:

You will need to bring your water with you to this hike !

Even though you will be walking in the river the water are not safe for drinking even with filter system, there is a toxic cyanobacteria that pass through hikers filtering system.

If you need to filter water use drinking water directly from springs (i.e. not from rivers, streams, or other water bodies).

Due note 7:

Distance measurement with GPS may not be accurate so much in narrow and deep slot canyons. Download the relevant map and know where you are along the hike, river miles are much “longer” than regular hike. Check the time it took you get to a point to estimate how much time it will take you hiking back.

Due note 8:

If you want to avoid the crowd in this hike start early mornings at the first shuttle.

Another option is to keep hiking into the canyon, as you hike farther in there will be less people.

Due note 9:

Inside the park along the canyon road the nearest snack bar, restaurant and souvenir store is located at Zion Lodge (shuttle stop #5).

No service or other stores/food available on Zion-Mt. Carmel Road (highway 9).

My thoughts:

I hiked this river trail twice; the first time was many years back and the next time was during end of Oct. 2020. I hiked only 2-3 miles into the river and had to turn around because it was already getting late and very cold.

Last time I visit the park, Dec 2025, it was already late in the afternoon, and we walk only the paved path, this was also a good hike.

What an amazing place to hike, I need to find the time and re-hike here all the way to Big Spring.

The Hike:

The hike starts on a paved walkway leading you into the canyon.

The trail is following the base of the tall cliffs, you will pass few locations where the river is wide but as you walk the canyon get narrower.

After 1 mile from the hike starting point the paved trail reach it end, from here the trail get into the river.

In some areas there are some riverside gravel sections that are easy to hike at. When the rock cliffs close your path cross the river at shallow spots to the other side.

Once you pass the Mystery Canyon point (connect to main canyon on the cliffs above you) the Narrows section of the canyon begin.

Tall rock faces towering above you and close the say, the river twist and bend as it finding his way in the rocks.

After the twisting section the canyon get into Wall Street section, where towering walls are 1500 tall and the river is about 25 feet wide.

I hiked somehow longer and once I run out of my planed time I head back to the trailhead, aiming not to miss the last shuttle back to the visitor center.

What a Hike !

I recommend this hike to all, bring the right equipment and hike as long as you want you will not be disappointed here.

Additional Pictures:

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