Gallery

Hike:
The Narrows Bottom Up

Gallery

DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD

BY SHUTTLE:

From the Springdale & Zion Canyon Visitor Center, continue another 1.4 miles on SR-9 to the south entrance of Zion National Park. Once inside the park, make your first right turn and travel roughly another 0.3 miles towards The National Park Visitor Center. Make your first right turn for regular parking or make your first left turn for RV and trailer parking. Walk over to the Zion National Park Shuttle stop in front of the Zion National Park Visitor Center (Stop 1). Ride the shuttle to The Temple of Sinawava (Stop 9). Exit the shuttle and continue onto the Riverside walk trailhead which will lead you to The Narrows.

BY CAR IN THE WINTER:

From the Springdale & Zion Canyon Visitor Center continue 1.4 miles on SR-9 to the south entrance of Zion National Park. Once inside the park, continue another 1.5 miles to the Zion Canyon Scenic Route (sign on right side: Zion Lodge, Scenic Drive) turn left. From there, travel another 6.1 miles up the Scenic Drive to the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop on your right-hand side at the end of the scenic drive.

HIGHLIGHTS

The trail you start on is called Riverside Walk. It is paved, beautiful and very scenic. After that trail, you’ll enter the water and begin to hike The Narrows.
Make sure to keep a look out for Mystery Falls on the left side of the canyon as you hike up. This will be less than half a mile from the end of Riverside Walk. It is a beautiful spot where water rolls down the sandstone walls from the canyon above.
Words cannot describe the beauty this trail has to offer. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to take in the large canyon walls that surround you, the narrow pathway through the river and the majestic scenery along the way.

BEST TIME TO HIKE

Summer and Fall. Other times of the year are determined by rainfall and snowmelt and will close if the CFS gets to 150 or above.
The higher the CFS flow, the harder and more strenuous the trail will become.
After storms, hiking in The Narrows can be more difficult. The river becomes murkier with no visibility in the water to see the rocks that you are stepping on.
Winter can become dangerous due to the cold river water, flash flooding and other winter conditions. Make sure to plan accordingly by renting or purchasing the right gear.
Portions of Riverside Walk can be closed in winter due to falling ice. This means you must enter the river sooner to reach The Narrows.
Summer is extremely crowded because it is the perfect escape from the heat. Also, this is one of the most popular hikes in Zion National Park and the United States.

SECRETS/TIPS

Go Early! This is a very popular trail that can quickly become crowded.
Bring lots of water and snacks. This is considered an all-day hike.
For additional slot canyon scenery, make the side journey up Orderville Canyon. This part of the canyon is taller and darker than the main Narrows. It will be the only right turn you can make before you reach Wall Street.
Make sure to go all the way to Wall Street. This is located roughly 1.5 miles up from the end of Riverside Walk. It is one of the narrowest and most photogenic parts of the trail.

SPECIAL OR RECOMMENDED GEAR

Good walking/hiking shoes or preferably nice water shoes with lots of ankle support (ankle injuries are the number one injury in The Narrows)
Neoprene or waterproof socks
Hiking sticks for balance as you hike predominantly in the water
Hat and sunblock
A light jacket or fleece. The sun hits in that part of the canyon sporadically and not as often as other parts.
Hydration pack to help keep your hands free
Drybags for your cellphone or other important items
Waste bags in case you need to use the restroom. What comes in must come out.

OTHER

Not recommended to do if the forecast calls for rain, if it’s raining, or you hear thunder. There is literally nowhere to escape if you are caught in The Narrows during a flash flood.
No dogs allowed
Water fill station and restrooms are located at The Temple of Sinawava
Water fill stations do turn off during winter months (usually during end of November to February).