The Narrows

Probably the coolest hike I've ever done! The epic views, sloshing through the water. The canyon walls get closer together the farther you go. There's a 20 foot section where you go waist deep in water so you have to lift up your backpack if you don't want it to get soaked. Most of the time the water is about up to your knees or less. You occasionally hike on land but make no mistake you will be walking through water most of the time. I did see rock jumpers about halfway into the hike jumping off into the river on a deep spot they found. The farther you go the less people you'll see going that deep in. Once you get past a certain point about 3 mile's in it's absolutely magical. We went in July in the summer. Make sure you arrive super early so you have time to make it back before the last shuttle leaves. Bring water & snacks and take lots of epic pictures because not everybody gets to experience this beautiful creation!

The Narrows is the most unforgettable hike of my life. Imagine wading directly into the Virgin River, surrounded by thousand-foot canyon walls that rise dramatically on both sides. It’s not just a hike; it’s an adventure. Hot tip: bring hiking poles or at least a walking stick and shoes/boots and clothes you don’t mind getting soaked. First, getting there…you must either take the park shuttle or bike in, no private vehicles are allowed. It sounds like a pain, it isn’t, trust me. Ample parking is available near the visitors center near the shuttle stop. Then you’re on your way. Take it to the last stop, Temple of Sinawava then hike an easy paved trail to the “entry” aka the water. The river is your trail, and every step is both exhilarating and humbling. Sometimes the water is ankle-deep, other times it reaches your waist/chest and with every bend you discover new perspectives on this awe-inspiring canyon. The cool water, the echo of footsteps and laughter, the sheer scale of the rock walls, it’s a sensory experience unlike anything else. The beauty also is, you can go as far or as little as you want! My wife and I took this on and were absolutely blown away. It challenged us, yes, but it also rewarded us with memories we’ll never forget. Standing there, looking up at the towering cliffs and realizing how small you are; it’s a perspective shift you can’t get anywhere else. If you do one hike in Zion, make it The Narrows. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that leaves you both exhausted and exhilarated, and it will stay with you forever.

It was quite an adventure. Bring water and snacks. A stick is a must it really helps walking over rocks. We got there by 8am. Took the shuttle to stop 9. We walked about 1 mile to the start. We walked for about 4 miles in the narrows and turned around. We had couple young kids they were tired couldn't go any more. It took about 3 hours to go up and about 1 hour to come back down. Its a real adventure. $30 water shoes from Amazon worked really well. The water was very cold at first especially when it went up to your belly. But once that sun comes out and into the canyon it feels really good to rest and let the sun hit you and warm you up.

The Narrows felt like a scene after a typhoon, went the weekend before Labor Day and it was packed! The water wasn’t clear at all, but it was still super fun and thrilling. Definitely rent shoes and walking sticks—it’s slippery. Bring some snacks and water. If you’re visiting Zion, this is a must-do!

What a hike, water is cold and deep in many areas. This place can get very packed especially in the beginning. Highly recommend a walking stick and good water shoes as the rocks will destroy your feet and ankles.

Amazing and fun hike for the family!!! One of the best hikes I have done! The hike can be as long or as short as you like, as the real beauty is the path. Some people recommend special socks, water shoes, and hiking sticks. I do recommend a hiking stick, but I used an actual stick I found in the desert that worked great and wore quality water shoes. There was one place towards the beginning that we were in water chest deep, so do keep in mind that you can get really wet depending on how high the water currently is. We were there at the very end of June and the water was pretty cold, but our feet got used to it fast! There is also a little water fall towards the beginning of the river and fun side trails later on down the path. The shade covered us the whole hike, but we were on the trail by 8:00am and stayed for about 4 hours total. A must do if you are in Zion!!!

Our Zion National Park visit centered on The Narrows, an unforgettable water hike. By 8:10 a.m., the Visitor Center parking was full, so we parked at Stop 2 and took the shuttle to Stop 9. Thanks to my wife’s planning, we rented water shoes and hiking sticks, making the four-hour trek more enjoyable. The towering canyon views were stunning, and the kids had a blast! At one deep section, the water reached my waist, and I helped them across—an exciting challenge. You need to experience The Narrows at least once in your life.

This place is awesome — I loved it! Super easy to walk around, just make sure you’ve got good non-slip shoes and maybe some hiking poles, or you can rent them there.