Imagine towering red rock cliffs, a sparkling emerald-green river, spectacular scenery around every corner, and an adventure you’ll never forget.
That’s exactly what you can expect as you hike through The Narrows in Zion National Park!
The Narrows is easily one of the most epic hikes in the country. This “trail” meanders through the Virgin River as it travels through a narrow section of beautiful red rock cliffs.
If you’re heading out to Zion National Park in Utah, make sure this hike is on your list. You definitely don’t want to miss this!
What You Need to Know
The Zion Narrows hike is NOT your typical trail! Trekking through a river that flows between stunning cliffs is a unique and exciting adventure, but extra preparation is needed to enjoy the experience fully.
Over the next few pages, I’ll outline everything you need to know before you go.
You’ll learn about:
- Route options
- Permits needed
- Water levels
- Seasons
- Extra gear to bring
- Hygiene
- Flash floods
- Detailed description of the bottom-up route
Yes, it’s a lot to think about, but this extraordinary trail deserves some extra planning time.
Get ready for this unforgettable outing in Zion National Park!
Click NEXT to start your Narrows adventure.
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Just wanted to say that I and 3 friends did the Narrows this spring and all of your suggestions made it go so well! Thank you for such an informative post, it’s incredibly helpful!
Thanks Genessa! I’m glad you had such a fantastic experience!
Hi, what kind of backpack do you recommend for hiking the narrows? I want to bring my DSLR, a bit of snacks and of course water. Something that’ll keep my camera dry preferably and fit everything. Loved your article, very informative.
I use dry bags when I’m hiking in/near water for my gear. You can get different sizes so that they fit within the backpack you already own. Have fun!
I found your post extremely helpful and I also downloaded the guide. Thank you! I was wondering if it’s possible to visit the park late afternoon versus the suggested time of 7:30am… So for example, if I wanted to do a sunset hike (around 5pm or so) on Day #1, would it be possible to get in with parking/shuttles/etc?
Yes, that would work. Late afternoons/early evenings are usually good as well, though you’ll want to double-check the shuttle schedules to make sure you don’t miss the last shuttle out. Have a great time!
Hi,
We are planning a hike in the narrows with kids .Please suggest if aqua shoes or water shoes are good enough for the narrows hike.
I wouldn’t use water shoes…you’ll need strong shoes with good soles and closed-toes.
We found neoprene socks added additional cushioning (since you will walk on rock cobbles most of the time) as well as retaining warmth….I would recommend two (2) walking poles.
Did you carry in all your water for both days? Or is filtering from Deep Creek and Big Springs still seem OK?
I filtered from Big Springs, but I would check with the park to see what they suggest for this year. I would definitely not filter directly from the river!
Is there a sign or something at Big Springs that indicates you are not able to go further?
Not that I can recall, but as long as you’ve seen a few pictures of it, you can’t miss it!
I would also like to print this out. I have your Zion 3 day itinerary (and Arches and Bryce). Thanks so much!
Hey Bridget, please contact me!
This is great! We are a group of 13 headed to Zion in early June and our group ranges from ‘real’ hikers to total out of shape newbies. I have a question about the neoprene socks though. I am looking on amazon and elsewhere and all of those types of socks look more like shoes. How do I find neoprene “socks” that will fit inside my hiking boots? Any suggestions?
Also, any tricks to getting shuttle tickets for our group size? It looks like they sell out quickly.
Thanks!
They are pretty thick socks, but I’d stay away from anything that looks like it has a sole or mentions being booties. Make sure you take a thick walking stick for everyone too — that’s the most important piece of equipment for walking through the river. The water levels will probably be fairly high in early June, so you’ll need something strong to stabilize you.
You’ll have to have two people reserving tickets for your group because you can only reserve 8 tickets at a time per account. Good luck!
How do I print this guide and/or buy it to print??
Please contact me and I’ll get you squared away!
We are heading out in August and using your fabulous itineraries for Arches, Bryce, & Zion. I have been looking at a tour of the Narrows using a guide. For a family that are new to this landscape, do you think that is a good idea? It is quite pricey, so wondering if it is worth it. It would be nice to have someone give us history and education on the Narrows, etc. Do you have an opinion about it?
I personally don’t think a tour is needed unless you’re really wanting to get the extra information. It’s nice to be able to go at your own pace on a hike like this — it can be a challenge to get your footing and you don’t want to feel rushed. However, if you want to contact me with the specific tour you’re looking at, I’m happy to take a closer look!