Narrowest section of Zion Canyon in Zion National Park. Situated on the North Fork of the Virgin River and upstream of the main canyon, The Narrows is one of the premier hikes in the park and on the Colorado Plateau.
General Information
Length:
Elevation Gain:
Approximately 300 feet
Pet Policy:
No pets allowed
Seasons:
Spring, Summer, Fall
Trailhead:
Shuttle Stop to Start from: #9 Temple of Sinawava; lost of people have waterproof gear not necessary most of year; check water levels
Location:
Website:
Overview
The Zion Narrows is the upper gorge of the Virgin River, with walls up to 1,000 feet high and just 20 to 30 feet apart, and arguably the quintessential Zion hike, largely in the river itself. Grove Karl Gilbert named it in 1872, and it has been a hiking destination since the early 20th century.
Top Trails
| Route | Length | Difficulty | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom-up from the Temple of Sinawava | Up to 9.4 miles round trip (Big Springs, at 4.3 miles, is the usual limit) | Strenuous | A walk up the river, wading and swimming; no permit needed |
| Top-down through-hike from Chamberlain's Ranch | 16 miles one way | Very strenuous | A permit is required; can be done in a day or a two-day backpack, and it is best in summer and fall |
Good to Know
- Footing: the river bottom is slippery bowling-ball-sized rock, so rent canyoneering shoes, neoprene socks, and a walking stick from outfitters in Springdale
- Flash floods: check the forecast and flow rate at the Visitor Center, and don't enter if there is a flash flood warning
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "The Narrows (Zion National Park)", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0
