Wading up the Virgin River between sandstone walls a thousand feet high, The Narrows is one of the most extraordinary hikes in any US national park. It’s also one of Zion’s most popular, and it’s in our 2-day itinerary for Zion.
But it isn’t a normal trail. Most of the hike is in the river itself, it can close at short notice when the water is high or a flash flood is forecast, and you’ll need the right footwear. This guide covers the classic bottom-up day hike from the Temple of Sinawava, the permit-only top-down route, what to wear and where to rent gear, and how to check conditions before you go.
The Narrows Hike: At a Glance
| Start | Temple of Sinawava, the last stop on the Zion Canyon shuttle |
| Distance | Up to about 10 miles round trip to Big Spring, including the 1-mile Riverside Walk each way |
| Time | 4 to 8 hours, depending on how far you go |
| Difficulty | Moderate to strenuous, wading against the current |
| Permit | None for the bottom-up day hike; required for the top-down route |
| Closes | When the river flow is above 150 cubic feet per second, or during a flash flood warning |
Why Hike The Narrows in Zion?
There are plenty of dusty, rocky trails in Utah, but The Narrows is something else: a slot canyon hike up the North Fork of the Virgin River, where the river is the trail. It’s not an experience you can repeat anywhere else.
Picking your way upstream over slippery, submerged rocks, with sheer walls rising up to a thousand feet on either side and the canyon narrowing to just 20 or 30 feet wide, is awe-inspiring. It’s a test of stamina too, and a memory you’ll keep for life.
Before You Go: Check Conditions
Conditions in The Narrows change quickly, so check them on the day you hike, at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center or on the NPS current conditions page.
- River flow: The Narrows closes to all hikers when the flow is above 150 cubic feet per second (cfs). Below 70 cfs, river crossings are usually knee-deep with pools up to waist-deep; between 70 and 150 cfs, expect thigh-deep crossings and pools up to chest-deep. Snowmelt often closes it in April and May, and sometimes later.
- Flash floods: The Narrows closes during a National Weather Service flash flood warning and stays closed for at least two hours afterwards. Flash floods are most likely during the summer monsoon, from July to September. Check the forecast before you set off, and if the water rises suddenly, turns muddy or you hear a roar, get to high ground.
- Water quality: The North Fork of the Virgin River has been under a toxic cyanobacteria Health Watch. The NPS advises that you don’t submerge your head in the water, don’t drink it (filtering doesn’t remove the toxins), don’t touch algae mats and don’t let dogs drink from the river. Fill up with drinking water at the Temple of Sinawava instead.
Hiking The Narrows From the Bottom Up: In Detail
The Trailhead and Riverside Walk
The hike starts at the Temple of Sinawava, the last stop on the Zion Canyon shuttle. There are restrooms and drinking water here, and none once you’re in the river.
From the shuttle stop, the paved Riverside Walk follows the Virgin River for a mile, past hanging gardens and weeping walls. Where the path ends, you step into the water, and that’s where your aquatic adventure begins.
Mystery Falls to Wall Street
You’ll spend most of the hike wading through the river, usually knee- to waist-deep, with stretches of sandy or rocky bank in between. About 10 minutes in, you reach Mystery Falls, where water trickles down the sandstone from Mystery Canyon above. Take a moment to enjoy it before carrying on.
Around 2.5 miles from the Temple of Sinawava, Orderville Canyon joins from the right. You can explore up Orderville for a quarter of a mile, but no further. Just past the junction, the main canyon squeezes into Wall Street, the most famous section of The Narrows, where the walls tower overhead and you’ll be wading almost constantly.
Many people turn back after Wall Street, which makes a satisfying round trip of around 5 to 6 miles. If you have the time and energy, keep going: the crowds thin out quickly beyond it.
Beyond Wall Street to Big Spring
Above Wall Street, the canyon stays deep and shady, and there are boulders to scramble over in places, though none are too difficult. Big Spring, where water pours from the canyon wall into the river among ferns and moss, is the turnaround point for day hikers, roughly 5 miles from the Temple of Sinawava. You aren’t allowed to go upstream beyond it without a top-down permit.
Rest and refuel here, then head back the way you came. Going downstream with the current is quicker, but allow plenty of time to catch the last shuttle back down the canyon.
Prefer a Guided Hike?
If you’d rather not worry about gear or logistics, this guided Narrows hike from Springdale includes waterproof boots, neoprene socks and a walking pole, transport into the park, the entrance fee and a packed lunch. See our guide to the best Zion tours for more options.
The Top-Down Narrows
The top-down route follows the river 16 miles downstream from Chamberlain’s Ranch, outside the park to the north-east, to the Temple of Sinawava. It takes 10 to 14 hours, so you can do it in one long day or over two days, with a night at one of 12 designated campsites.
You’ll need a wilderness permit, booked on Recreation.gov at least a day ahead, through advance reservations or a daily lottery for day trips. You must pick it up in person, and you’ll need to carry out all human waste in a waste bag. The top-down route closes when the flow is above 120 cfs. Outfitters in Springdale run shuttles to Chamberlain’s Ranch.
What to Wear and Where to Rent Gear
The riverbed is covered in slippery, rounded rocks, so proper footwear makes the biggest difference. Closed-toe canyoneering boots or sturdy hiking shoes you don’t mind soaking work best; flip-flops and sandals don’t. A walking stick helps you keep your balance and probe the depth ahead.
Several outfitters in Springdale rent Narrows packages. At Zion Outfitter, by the park entrance, a warm-weather package of canyoneering boots, neoprene socks and a wooden stick costs around $35, and a dry bib package for colder water is around $59. Zion Adventure Company and Zion Guru also rent footwear, dry bibs and drysuits. In cooler months, when the water is cold, a dry bib or drysuit makes the hike far more comfortable.
Practical Tips for Hiking The Narrows
- Bring a dry bag for your phone and electronics, including a camera if you want to capture the scenery.
- Wear clothes that dry fast, as the water can reach chest height in places. Quick-dry trousers or a full-length dive skin work well in the warmer months; in cooler weather, rent a dry bib or drysuit.
- If you’re not renting a walking stick, a trekking pole helps you probe for deep holes and unstable rocks and keep your footing against the current.
- Start early. The first shuttle leaves the Visitor Center at 7am in season, and an early start beats the crowds. If you’re staying in or near Zion, it’s much easier.
- Check the time of the last shuttle down from the Temple of Sinawava: in 2026 it’s 7:15pm until 24 October, then 6:15pm until the shuttle season ends on 28 November.
- Carry plenty of drinking water and snacks, as you can’t drink the river water.
- Use the restroom at the Temple of Sinawava before you start, as there are none in The Narrows, and carry a waste bag just in case.
- Follow Leave No Trace: don’t carve or write on the rocks, and pack out all your rubbish. Inflatable tubes aren’t allowed on any river in the park.
The Narrows Hike Zion National Park: FAQs
The bottom-up day hike to Big Spring, the furthest point you can reach without a permit, is about 10 miles round trip, including the Riverside Walk, and takes most of a day. You can turn around at any point, and many people go as far as Wall Street, around 5 to 6 miles round trip. The top-down route from Chamberlain’s Ranch is 16 miles one way and needs a wilderness permit.
It’s moderately strenuous to strenuous, because you’re wading against the current over slippery rocks for much of the way. There’s little climbing, though, so if you’re reasonably fit and comfortable in water, with good footwear and a walking stick, you’ll be fine, and you can turn back whenever you like.
No permit is needed for the bottom-up day hike from the Temple of Sinawava to Big Spring. You do need a wilderness permit for the top-down route from Chamberlain’s Ranch, whether you do it in a day or overnight.
Summer and early autumn are the most popular times, with the warmest water, but flash floods are most likely from July to September, so always check the forecast. Autumn usually brings more settled weather but colder water and shorter days. In spring, snowmelt often keeps the river too high to hike.
