How to Hike the Narrows in Zion National Park
Take a scenic river hike through towering rock walls at Zion National Park’s Narrows. Featuring everything you need to know before you go including, when to go, what to bring, about the trail, & much more.
If you’re coming to Zion National Park, then you’ve probably heard of The Narrows. The Narrows are a stretch of towering rock walls extremely close together with the virgin river running through it. To get to the Narrows you first must hike the paved Riverside Walk Trail and then the path will end and you’ll start your river hike.
No permit or reservation is required to hike the Narrows. Nor is any equipment required however it is very helpful to purchase boots and a hiking sticks through a local outfitter. They are reasonably priced, we rented boots, socks, and sticks from Zion Outfitter and paid $32 for the day. That way we didn’t have to worry about ruining our own shoes.
Is it worth it? Absolutely, 100%, YES!
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TRAIL STATS
Distance: 9.4 Miles | Difficulty: Strenuous | Elevation Gain: 334 FT. | Time: 8 Hour | Location: Stop 9 Temple of Sinawava
PRESENCE OF CYANOBACTERIA
There is possible exposure to Cyanobacteria found in the Virgin River so it’s recommended not to drink or fully submerge your body or head in the water. Rangers at Zion National Park are consistently monitoring the presence of cyanobacteria.
For more information on cyanobacteria in Zion, visit the park website.
GETTING TO THE NARROWS
To get to the Narrows you’ll hop on the shuttle bus at Zion Canyon Visitor Center and take it all the way to Temple of Sinawava, stop 9. You can either park at the visitor center parking lot or take the Springdale shuttle to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
See our Complete Guide to Zion National Park for the parks full pet policy, entrance fees, & amenities.
WHEN TO VISIT
Zion National Park is open all year long giving you the opportunity to see this park in a variety of ways. March to September are the busiest times for the park.
SUMMER & FALL
The ideal time to hike the Narrows is in summer and fall due to warmer water and lower water levels. However, monsoon season in Zion is July to September bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms, and flash floods. Less than half an inch of rainfall within an hour can cause a flash flood. It's important to note that the Narrows will close if there is a flash flood warning.
WINTER & SPRING
Winter’s in Zion bring much colder water. Full body suits are recommended if you plan on hiking the Narrows in the winter. Spring brings higher water levels due to snow melt and The Narrows is often closed during this time.
Always Check for current conditions before exploring Zion National Park.
WHAT TO BRING
Dry Bag
Great for keeping things you don’t want wet, dry.
Sun Protectant
There is a decent amount of shade on the trail but it’s a good idea to bring your favorite sunscreen and wear sun protectant clothing when exploring.
Warm Clothes
Even in the summer cold water mixed with no sunlight can make a breeze feel pretty chilly. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring a jacket just in case you need it.
Water
Be sure to pack extra water and stay hydrated while exploring. We love using these insulated bottles to have ice cold water for the whole day.
Hiking Boots
We strongly recommend renting boots and socks with a local outfitter instead of using your own. However if you do choose to use your own it’s recommended to wear hiking boots with good ankle protection as the rocks in the river are quite slippery
Hiking Sticks
Hiking sticks are so helpful in giving you extra support as you navigate this river trail. Most outfitter rentals come with hiking sticks.
First Aid Kit
It’s never a bad idea to carry a small first aid kit while exploring in Zion. Cell service doesn’t really exist in the park so it’s good to be prepared in case of an emergency.
Lunch / Snacks
It is highly recommended to pick a lunch and snacks when visiting Zion. Hiking through a river is much more strenuous than it seems so it’s good to bring snacks to refuel while on the trail.
AMENITIES NEARBY
IN THE PARK
ZION CANYON VISITOR CENTER
Open year round and a great place to start your adventure in Zion National Park. Load up on info, pick up a park map, and get exploring. Here you can also find water filling stations, restrooms, gift shop, museum exhibit, and permits for backcountry camping. Hours and services vary by season so it’s best to check for current conditions before planning a trip.
TOWNS NEARBY
SPRINGDALE
Springdale was originally settled in 1862 by a Mormon farming community. Today it’s a tourist town known as the gateway to Zion National Park. The town offers tons of charming shops, restaurants, lodging, as well as varies Zion adventure outfitters. It sits at 4,000 ft in elevation and has a population of 530 people.
ABOUT THE TRAIL
Distance: 9.4 Miles | Difficulty: Strenuous | Elevation Gain: 334 FT. | Time: 8 Hour | Location: Stop 9 Temple of Sinawava
Your adventure in the Narrows starts at the Riverside Walk. The path is 1 mile, paved and runs along the virgin river with plenty of opportunity to see different plant and animal life of Zion. We saw 5 deer hanging out by the water when we were there.
Once the paved path ends the Narrows officially begin. This will be your first introduction to the virgin river. Get used to the water temperature and take it one step at a time. The rocks can be slippery and you do not want to fall in this water. The water was about knee deep in some areas when we went in early October.
As you make your way in the Narrows there are several patches of dry land to walk on so you don’t have to be in the water the whole time if you don’t want to. Take your time and enjoy this awesome hike.
Winding your way through the gorge, you’ll see tons plant life and and colorful marks as the water drips down the walls. There are some patches of sunlight to warm up in if you get cold.
The further you go into the Narrows the cooler it gets. The sun becomes none existent as the walls grow more narrow. If you brought a walking stick feel around as you choose your footing, there are several deep drops off in different spots.
About 3 miles into the Narrows you’ll come up to Orderville Gulch on the right. We decided to turn around here as the weather was starting to turn. As we started to head back it began to rain and we then received a flash flood warning on our phones. We got back safely but it definitely felt like the river was running a bit faster making us be a bit more cautious.
Overall, the Narrows in Zion National Park is one of the coolest hikes we’ve done because there’s no other hike like it. If you’re planing a trip to Zion definitely consider hiking the Narrows!
Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever hiked the Narrows!
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WE’RE MIKE & DEANDRA.
Two adventure seekers traveling the U.S in our 37 FT. travel trailer with our two companions, Griffin & Lucy. We share our life on the road and travel guides to our favorite destinations.
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