When exploring Utah, a visit to Zion National Park is an absolute must! This iconic park has some of the most amazing landscapes of the southwest USA – the Zion Narrows stands out as the jewel of the park. Trekking through the Virgin River, with massive sandstone cliffs rising around you, this adventure is an unforgettable experience filled with adrenaline and placing you face to face with nature.
This hike is a MUST – even if you are only visiting the park for one day. We do highly recommend 2 or more days in Zion National Park to be able to experience this wonderland because the Narrows can take a huge portion of one single day (between renting gear if needed and getting to the trailhead and exploring the Narrows).
Table of Contents
Quick facts about the Zion Narrows
- Difficulty: Moderate/difficult (mainly due to the water levels, some tactical parts, and uneven rocks)
- Distance: 10 miles out and back if starting from the Temple of Sinawava (the last stop of the Zion shuttle) to Big Spring – without permit. Sixteen miles through-hike from Chamberlain’s Ranch to Temple of Sinawava (permit required) – hikers usually decide to split the 16 miles in two days and camp.
Check Zion National Park Shuttle Schedule: https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/zion-canyon-shuttle-system.htm
Entrance fee to Zion
- Private vehicle – $35 and is valid for a week.
- You also may enter the park by using an annual pass, such as the America the Beautiful Pass that allows you to enter national parks, national forests, and other beautiful places. You can check it out here: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm
The trail and why it is a must
As world travelers, we love to share our stories so that maybe we can inspire others to travel to the places we visited. We treasure the stories that we are gifted by the places that we have been honored to visit. Every place has a story. Every place stays with you forever. But, there are places that not only stay with you but also blow your mind away when you look back at the fact that you were there.
The beautiful colors, the glowing turquoise water, the fascinating rock formations and walls, natural springs, and a path that allows you to walk through a riverbed all make the narrows fascinating and unique. The Narrows is an incredibly picturesque place that allows you to have moments of unbelievable intimacy with nature. A humbling experience and we were just two tiny living things while nature had been drawing the paths ahead of us for millions of years. Making every turn inside the narrow canyon a mystery about what was next.
This stunning geological jewel of Zion National Park has be carved over millennia by the relentless flow of the Virgin River. This slot canyon contains walls rising up to 1,000 feet! It is believed that the Narrows formed around 10 million years ago when tectonic shifts lifted the region’s rock layers, creating the conditions for the river to carve its way through. For centuries, the Virgin River has been sacred to the native people of this land. The Zion Narrows is a very powerful reminder of nature’s incredible beauty and humanity’s deep connection to its inspiring landscape.
The Zion Narrows quickly became one of our All-Time favorite hikes! If you love adventure, then this is a bucket-list item for you! Not every hike in the world includes hiking inside a river, where the water is past your knees for most of the hike! You will spend most of the hike wading and depending on your height, almost floating, depending which sections you enter. Unfortunately, the Narrows hike is not for everyone. It is a difficult hike and you will be walking in a river on top of uneven rocks. There will be plenty of spots that are not in the water but have slippery rocks. We did see a 9 year old in this hike that was having a blast! With that said, most people should be able to hike this but it is not accessible to everyone. For families with small children and others, we recommend the initial one mile paved hike along the Virgin River – two miles out and back.
The two ways of hiking the Zion Narrows
Out and back 10 mile day hike
The Zion Narrows starts with a shorter one mile hike that starts at the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop. You can take the park’s shuttle from any stop in the park to make it here. The Temple of Sinawava is the last shuttle stop. I recommend taking the shuttle early in the morning and make sure to check the schedule before going – the schedule changes depending on the season.
The first mile is a riverside walk on paved terrain. The first mile is a beautiful walk that is full of excitement and adrenaline as you are about to reach the narrows. The one mile hike takes you alongside the Virgin River until the trail ends and you make it to the water! From here, there will be no maintained trails and you will just follow the river. The hike gets a bit tactical at times and you have to watch your step due to uneven and slippery rocks.
The water can get cold depending on the time of the year, which is why we recommend dry gear – which we mention later in the article. The great part about making this an out and back day hike is that you can decide to turn back at any point of the hike. There is no official ending to this hike but you can hike all the way to Big Spring without a permit or you can just walk hours into the Narrows and explore to then turn back at any time and head back to Temple of Sinawava.
Sixteen through-hike
This option starts at Chamberlain’s Ranch and ends once you reach the Temple of Sinawava. You must find your own transportation to the Chamberlain’s Ranch or back at the end of the hike to pick up your vehicles if you parked there and must obtain a permit. https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/narrowspermits.htm
It is possible to complete this hike in one day but it is recommended to split this into two days and turn this into a backpacking trip. There are multiple camping options to spend the night. https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/narrowscampsites.htm
We also think that it is important to keep the time in mind – the Zion Narrows are not the type of hike that you would want to do in the dark. No matter what option you pick, make sure to have plenty of time to make it to camp, car, or shuttle before dark.
Best times to hike the Narrows? And safety
The best times of the year to visit Zion National Park and hike the Narrows are May-June, September-mid-November. These months offer lower water levels and better weather. Zion National Park can get very cold……..it will be even colder at the Narrows. July and August might not be terrible months to hike the Narrows but it will be very hot. You should definitely avoid hiking the Narrows during rainy days due to possible flash flooding. Always make sure to check the park’s website before visiting to obtain information regarding conditions: https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
We hiked The Narrows in November and had perfect weather! The water was very cold but we rented special outfits! (Mentioned later in the article)
How fit do you need to be?
I don’t think you need to be super fit. But you need to be able to hike long distances. It is important to prepare before a long hike, specially if you are not used to hiking long distances.
Any requirements?
Nothing is technically required to hike the Zion Narrows (except for the permit if you pick the 16-mile option), but we highly recommend a couple of things! We consider these a must if you want to enjoy your time without worries.
What to wear and what to bring:
- Dry gear is a must for the Zion Narrows, especially if you’re hiking during the colder months. However, it can also make your experience more comfortable in warmer weather by helping you stay dry as you wade through the river. While you can buy your own gear, we highly recommend renting from Zion Outfitter, conveniently located inside the park. We opted for the overalls, and honestly, we think it was the best choice. Sure, we might’ve looked a little funny, but the comfort and flexibility they provided made all the difference. We were able to venture deeper into the hike and enjoy the experience without the constant worry of being cold or uncomfortable. We did see some hikers in regular clothes, and they didn’t look nearly as happy — many turned back early, clearly uncomfortable in the chilly water. If you’re visiting in cooler months (we hiked in November), investing in dry gear will definitely enhance your experience!
- Consider renting canyoneering boots from Zion Outfitters. We suggest renting these, regardless of the weather. These specially designed waterproof boots will not only keep your feet dry but also provide better grip and support as you navigate the uneven, slippery rocks in the river, making your hike much more enjoyable and safe. If you decide not to rent canyoneering boots, we recommend wearing tennis shoes instead of hiking boots. Even waterproof boots can become heavy and uncomfortable once soaked in the river. Avoid sandals at all costs—the rocky riverbed can easily cause cuts and bruises, and open-toed shoes offer little protection.
- Neoprene socks! These socks will be extremely helpful if the water is cold. They will also prevent too much water from getting to your feet, making the hike more comfortable.
- Warm hiking clothes during cold months to go under your rented gear or comfortable summer clothes if you go during warmer months.
- Hiking stick! A hiking stick will be extremely helpful since it will be hard to see what you are stepping on in moving water while walking on top of moving rocks at times.
- Dry bag! It always brings peace into my mind knowing that my belonging, including electronics, will remain dry during water related activities.
- This is a long hike so it is important to bring plenty of water.
Hiking PRO TIP
Keep dry clothes, including socks, in your car! It felt amazing changing into dry clothes after this beautiful hike! I was not only wet due to the water but also the sweat from wearing all the gear for so long.
Hiking the Zion Narrows was, without a doubt, one of the most incredible experiences we’ve ever had. The magic of this place is something that stays with you long after the hike ends, and we truly hope you have the chance to experience it for yourself. Whether you’re an avid hiker or simply looking for an unforgettable connection with nature, the Narrows will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. So, lace up your boots, embrace the journey, and prepare to discover one of the most unforgettable trails in the world.