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Planning on adding the Narrows as a day hike on your trip to Zion National Park?
To be honest, Daniel and I though that the Narrows would be a little bit overrated when we visited Zion National Park. We thought it would be a fun novelty and a fun memory, but we didn’t expect it to be one of the most unique things we’ve done in a national park–and one of the best parts of our time in Utah!
The Narrows has a few unique challenges that hikers need to be aware of before they dive right in. Since you are walking through water, you need a whole new set of gear. Plus, conditions in the canyon change often, so you need to keep up on what’s going on before you head to the trailhead. This isn’t the simplest hiking adventure!
However, it’s one that you don’t want to miss when you are in Zion. We’ll go over what you need to know so when you pop off that shuttle, you’re confident taking this on and you’re ready to go!
In summary: This guide will cover how to hike the Narrows from bottom to top, as well as include some tips for making the hike more fun, and some common FAQs you might have about it.
Quick tip: I recommend setting aside an entire day to do this hike. Even if you want to do something else, you might be too tired to!
Quick stats
Distance: 8.9 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation gain: 695 feet
Time on trail: 6 hours
How to hike the Narrows (bottom to top)
The hike starts at the Temple of Sinawava, the last stop on Zion’s shuttle system. From there, you’ll walk the paved Riverside Walk for about a mile until it ends–this is when you are going to want to get ready to get wet.
You don’t need a permit for the bottom-up day hike, but you do need proper gear. We hiked this in our Chacos and shorts and didn’t have a problem, but we were hiking this in late October and the water was quite warm. If you are hiking it in the colder months, then it might be worth it to rent neoprene booties at the two local outfitters that supply them: Zion Guru and Zion Outfitter. These, along with a walking stick, go for about $30 a day.
While we didn’t use the neoprene booties, I definitely recommend having some hiking poles with you. Even if you have the best balance, it can be tough not to fall over when hiking through here. Another thing I am going to mention is that the water is cold. My feet were freezing for the first half mile or so. While I eventually got used to it and booties would have helped, don’t expect the Virgin River to be a bath tub even during the summer!
The first mile in the river is relatively easy as you get used to walking on slippery rocks and navigating the current. The canyon starts fairly wide, but as you continue upstream, the walls begin to close in. About two miles in, you’ll reach the beginning of “Wall Street,” the most dramatic section of the Narrows where the canyon walls soar up to 1,500 feet overhead.
Orderville Canyon junction, about 2.5 miles in, is a popular turnaround point for many hikers. But if you’re up for it, I highly recommend continuing further into Wall Street. The crowds thin out significantly beyond this point, and the scenery just gets better and better.
Most day hikers can go as far as Big Spring, which is about five miles upstream. This is where the park requires you to turn around unless you have a top-down permit. Daniel and I made it to Big Spring, spent some time enjoying the peaceful surroundings (and our packed lunch), then headed back.
The return trip is easier since you’re walking downstream, but don’t rush it–those rocks are still slippery! I definitely turfed it when heading back and had a nice bruise for a few days. Plus, the changing light in the canyon creates completely different views on your way back. We started our hike around 12:00 pm and in the early evening, which gave us plenty of time to enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.
However, I would recommend starting this hike in the morning instead of what we did. This not only gives you more time before catching the last shuttle back, but then you don’t have to worry about the threat of afternoon thunderstorms as much, either.
Remember, the Narrows closes during spring runoff (usually March-May) and whenever there’s a flash flood risk. Always check the weather forecast and stop by the visitor center before your hike. If there’s even a slight chance of rain in the forecast, skip this hike–flash floods in slot canyons are extremely dangerous.
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Map of the Narrows (bottom to top)
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Tips for hiking the Narrows
Here are some tips I found helpful when hiking the Narrows from the bottom to top.
- Check current conditions daily: Even if you have checked them the day before, conditions change in the canyon often. You’re going to watch to double check on the Zion National Park website to make sure the hike is still open. Take these warnings seriously! These include flash flood warnings and announcements about any cyanobacteria blooms.
- Hike in the morning: It sucks getting up to be on the first shuttle, but I recommend getting there early to avoid the crowds. This is an incredibly popular hike, and it’s a lot harder to navigate with a ton of people there too.
- Consider what time of year you are hiking: Whether you will want to rent extra gear will depend greatly on how cold the water is. In some cases, the water might come up to your chest and you will want a full wetsuit. If you are too cold, turn back–hypothermia is a real concern.
- Take frequent breaks: Hiking in water is tough! You’re likely to become a lot more tired than you would expect. Take the opportunities when you are out of the water to rest, and remember you can turn back at any time.
The Narrows hike FAQs
Here are some commonly-asked questions I get about hiking the Narrows.
Conclusion
There’s a reason why this hike has become so popular! Not only is it a truly unique experience unlike any other trail, but the scenery is incredible. I would highly recommend that anyone who is on the fence go ahead and make the leap of heading out to explore the Narrows. Even with the cold water, it’s well worth preparing for and adding to your Zion itinerary.
Have any questions about hiking the Narrows? Let me know in the comments!
