NarrowsHiking Difficulty
Very Difficult
Length
9.40 mi
Trail Traffic
Light
Route Type
Connector
Highlights
Accessibility
Bathrooms Available
Suitability
Recommended Use
Hiking
Directions
The hike begins at the Temple of Sinewava, the final stop on the Zion canyon road for the free park shuttle. From there you’ll follow a flat trail for one mille before you reach the Gateway to the Narrows, where you enter the water.
Description
A hike that’s not to be missed! The Zion Narrows follows the Virgin River through a narrow gorge, you’ll leave the road and the trails, and walk through the water itself. As you walk in the water – anywhere from ankle to chest height, you’ll look up between walls that soar up to 2000 feet above you, and you’ll spot sandstone grottos and hanging gardens along the way.
The easiest and most common route through the canyon is the bottom-up Narrows Day hike for a round trip of about 4 hours.
About two hours upstream, you’ll reach the most breathtaking section of the Zion Narrows when you come to Orderville Canyon. Here you can go back to the Temple for a round trip of about 6 miles, or 4-5 hours.
An alternate, more advanced hike through the Narrows is a day hike from top to bottom – and you’ll need a permit. It’s about 16 miles one-way, but you’ll have walked the entire length of Zion’s Narrows – from Chamberlain’s Ranch to the Temple of Sinewava. If you want to spend the night and take two days out in the Narrows, there are 12 campsites along the route that you can reserve on a first come-first served basis.
Bring appropriate gear, including non-cotton, fast drying clothes, sturdy hiking shoes, hiking poles, waterproof bags, and drinking water. Finally, beware of flash floods, especially in July and August when precipitation is heaviest. June is the driest month and the water is warmer.
Pictures
