This National Park Trail Takes You Through a River Canyon With 1,000-Foot Sandstone Walls

"A slot‑canyon river hike carved by the Virgin River in Zion National Park, The Narrows plunges hikers between sandstone walls that in places rise up to 1,000 feet and narrow to just 20 to 30 feet. Visiting it feels less like a trail hike and more like a slow immersion into the canyon: you can view the iconic gorge from the paved, wheelchair‑accessible Riverside Walk, wade the rocky river bottom, or commit to the full 16‑mile top‑down odyssey (a permit is required for the latter). Because it is literally a river canyon in a desert, conditions change rapidly—most people go in summer and early fall when water is lower and warmer, spring is often closed due to snowmelt (typically mid‑April to May), and winter water is extremely cold. The Narrows closes whenever the National Weather Service issues Flash Flood Warnings; safe hiking is generally at or below 70 cubic feet per second (flows above 70 CFS make walking much harder, and flows above 150 CFS prompt closure). Check current river flow and Zion National Park news, wear close‑toed shoes and bring a hiking stick, and read the Narrows safety and responsibility guidance before attempting what is, with proper planning, one of the most memorable experiences in any national park." - Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines