The Narrows at Zion National Park – The Complete Guide

Zion National Park in Utah is stunningly composed of beautiful red, cream, and pink sandstone mountains that jet into the sky. Hidden towards the back of the park is the narrowest part of Zion Canyon, which the Virgin River runs through. Commonly referred to as “The Narrows,” this slot canyon is a world-famous hike that treks through the crystal clear river. If you want to hike The Narrows at Zion National Park, this is your guide to navigate the hike and the park. 

Which Trail Head Should You Use for The Narrows?

The Narrows trailhead at the Temple of the Sinawava is The Narrows’ most popular and easily accessible starting point. From the Temple of Sinawava, you can hike 8.9 miles round trip through the river and turn around anytime. This trail is called “Zion Narrows Botton Up to Big Springs.”  It is also the only trailhead that does not require a permit. To start from the other trailhead, Chamerlain’s Ranch, a 16-mile trek, you must obtain a wilderness permit from Zion. The Chamberlain Ranch trailhead marks the start of the “Bottom Down” trail.

How to Get To The Narrows Trailhead?

To get to The Narrows, you must first enter Zion National Park. At the time of writing, October 2024, reservations are not required to enter the park. However, there are challenges to entering the park, primarily parking.

There are limited parking lots inside Zion. Unless you arrive early, chances are you’ll have to park at a paid lot in town and take the shuttle to the park. Once you arrive at the shuttle drop-off, you can walk through the gate and pay to enter the park.

Once you are inside Zion, the Zion Park shuttle will take you to the trailhead of The Narrows. You cannot drive to the trailhead; you must take the shuttle. Temple of the Sinawava is the last stop, stop 9, on the shuttle. 

From the first shuttle pick-up point, it is about a 45-minute drive through the park to the Temple of Sinawava. Enjoy your time on the shuttle; it’s a beautiful drive through the park with stunning landscapes and mountain views. 

The shuttle drops you off at a shuttle stop with a bathroom and direct access to the Riverside Walk trail. Once you enter, there are no other bathrooms along the trail. 

To access The Narrows, you must walk down the Riverside Walk trail for about a mile until it opens into the Virgin River access point. The Riverside trail is very flat and easily accessible.

When Should You Hike The Narrows at Zion?

Summer and early fall are the best times to hike in the Narrows to get warmer water and better weather in the river. I hiked the Narrows in mid-September and thought that was the perfect time, as the water was warm and the park wasn’t overly crowded.

Winter and springtime bring colder water and higher water levels. It’s recommended to wear a dry suit to stay warm when hiking from October through May. The trail may be closed in the spring due to rising water levels. Always check with park rangers if you’re unsure of the safety of the conditions of the trail.

Also, start early! This hike is extremely popular and gets crowded. Start early to avoid the crowds.

What Should You Wear to Hike The Narrows?

The trail is exposed to the sun and water, so dress appropriately. I’m 5’9″, and the water sometimes came up to my hips during the hike. I recommend wearing loose-fitting, water-resistant shorts and a top. You’ll need sturdy water shoes to navigate the rocky floor of the river and sun protection such as a hat, UV shirt, and sunglasses. If you don’t have any technical gear, you can rent it from Zion Adventures, which I highly recommend.

The Narrows Clothes Recommendations:

• Quick drying Shorts, e.g., Columbia Women’s Sandy River Shorts
• Quick Drying Top, e.g., Columbia Women’s Hike Short Sleeve Crew. Consider a UV shirt as well.
• Closed-toed water shoes with good grip
• Wide-brimmed hat e.g., Columbia Bora Bora Hat
• Sunglasses 

What To Bring on The Narrows

• Water
• Hiking poles 
• Closed-toed water shoes
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Dry bag
• Waterproof case for phone
• Dry pants/dry suit if hiking October 1 through mid-May

The Narrows Rentals: Almost everything on this list above can be rented if you don’t own or want to purchase the items. You can rent dry clothes, water shoes, hiking poles, and dry bags from Zion Adventures, located right outside Zion National Park. 

Hiking Pole: You must maintain balance during the hike because if you don’t, you could fall into the water. 

Dry Bag & Phone Case: Anything can happen when hiking through a river. You can fall in the water, get splashed, or end up in waist-high water. Bring a water bag to keep your valuables dry. If you only bring a phone or camera, you can protect your phone from nature with a waterproof phone case. 

Quick-Drying Clothes: You will surely get wet as you hike The Narrows. I recommend wearing clothes that dry quickly or are water-resistant. If you’re hiking in the colder months, wear a dry suit. 

Food/Water: Make sure you pack adequate food and water. There are dry places to stop on the trail, take a break, and eat food or drink water. 

Sun protection: The trail has little natural shade. Bring a hat and sunglasses, and wear plenty of sunscreen. 

Flash Flooding and Water Current:

Given the nature of this hike, you want to be cautious about water levels and flash flooding. There are certain times during the year when the trail is completely closed. Flash floods can happen instantly with rain and can cause injury and even death to hikers. Check the weather forecast before you go to the park, and avoid hiking if rain is in the forecast. If you’re uncertain about the water, ask the park rangers what they recommend.

How Far To Hike On The Narrows

Once you complete the Riverside Walk trail and enter the Virgin River, you can hike as much as you want without a permit until Big Springs. Big Springs is about an 8.9-mile roundtrip hike from the shuttle stop. At Big Springs, you need permit access to go further. 

My group hiked to Orderville Canyon, about 2.5 miles from the beginning of the Riverside Walk. We would have gone farther, except we got a late start and wanted to leave the park before dark. Be mindful of the time and remember that you must return as far as you hike in. 

How Much Time Does It Take To Hike The Narrows:

You can spend a varying degree of time in The Narrows. From the trailhead’s beginning, you can decide how much time you want to spend exploring The Narrows. I recommend spending at least a few hours on the trail and more time if you wish to explore further and go to Big Springs.

When entering the park, remember that it will take you at least 45 minutes to take the shuttle to the trail and 45 minutes to get back to the gate. This is the time my group should have accounted for, and it limited the amount of time we spent on the trail. Once you reach the trailhead, it is about 30 minutes down the Riverside Walk to the opening of The Narrows. 

The Narrows can be an all-day hike, considering the time it takes to walk the trail, the time it takes to get there, and the time it takes to shuttle into the park. Start early and enjoy as much time there as possible.

Is The Narrows Dog Friendly?

No, The Narrows is NOT dog-friendly. If you follow my content, you know I travel a lot with my dog, and we’ve been to many National Parks. Zion is not a national park I took my dog to or would go with. Dogs are not permitted in most areas of the park. If you’re looking for dog-friendly hikes in the southwest, I suggest looking at my Sedona, Durango, and Grand Canyon dog-friendly travel pieces. 

The Narrows at Zion National Park Final Thoughts

The Narrows at Zion is a gorgeous hike where water meets land. When you look down, you’ll see the stunning water of the Virgin River; when you look up, you’ll see the rugged sandstone cliffs synonymous with Zion. This hike is a must-do at Zion National Park for obvious reasons.