So, you want to hike the Zion Narrows. Well my friend you've hit the jackpot. Welcome to the Down and Dirty Info Source for hiking the Zion Narrows and visiting Zion National Park. This page has been created as a guide to help you with the planning of your trip to Zion National Park.
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The Zion Narrows are one of the great geological wonders of the world to behold. Here the Virgin River has carved a two thousand foot cleft directly into the relatively soft Navajo Sandstone layer creating what is known as a slot canyon. The Zion Narrows and its tributary drainages contain the deepest slot canyons in the world. The hiker must ford the river in many spots and sometimes walk upstream against the current. Spring through fall is the best time to attempt this hike. The possibility of summer flash floods and the difficulties of wading in water make it important that you are prepared and well informed before you set out. Zion Rock & Mountain Guides
has a wide array of rental equipment for your Zion Narrows adventure including walking sticks, canyon shoes, dry suits & wetsuits. Current river conditions are posted daily at their retail store on Zion Park Blvd. in Springdale, so by all means go see 'em before you go to check it out.
Due to the wilderness nature of these hikes it is imperative that you understand what the risks are for each trip. These canyons require backcountry skills beyond those of the average hiker. In this case traversing narrow canyons can often involve route finding, the possibility of flash flooding, cold water and the need to have the proper equipment and clothing. Knowledge and experience are important elements in determining whether you have a safe and enjoyable trip in this unpredictable and unforgiving terrain. Your safety is your responsibility.
Distance: 2mi round trip No Permit Required
The Riverside Walk is the trail used to access the lower Zion Narrows (see next section) and is an easy paved trail that showcases massively high cliff walls and unique hanging gardens growing along a prominent spring line. This trail is one not to miss if you like to experience nature’s grandeur on a spectacular scale. The sandstone walls towering thousands of feet overhead are the result of the tireless cutting action of the Virgin River. A great trail for small children, strollers and wheelchairs.
2. The Zion Narrows from the Riverside Walk (gettin' wet and seeing the Narrows without the 16mi commitment)
Distance: Go as far as you feel comfortable, but remember you have to return. Big Springs is the turnaround point for upstream travellers. No Permit Required
This is the way that the majority of people encounter the Narrows. The river is your trail as you are lured deeper and deeper around the bends. The farther you travel the less people you will encounter. Hike as far as the Orderville tributary for a 6 mile round trip hike.
For those still feeling good at Orderville, continue to gushing Big Springs for a ten mile round trip hike.
3. Day Hike-Top Down (Zion’s Best Adventure Hike)
Distance: 16mi Permit Required
This route is fun and exciting with views that just get better and better around every twist and turn. Do not underestimate this trip. Unlike the trip above, you do not have the option of just turning around if you feel tired or cold. One must also take care to not injure oneself. Though at most, only 8 miles from either end, small injuries like twisted ankels and knees require monumental resources and effort to evacuate an injured party member.
This trail begins at Chamberlain’s Ranch which requires a 1.5 hour drive from the park visitor center. Get an early start. Permits can be obtained at the Backcountry Desk in the visitor center at the south end of the park. Get your permit and set up your transportation the day before your trip. There is a limit of 80 people per day with group size limits of 12 people or less.
4. Overnight Hike-Top Down (Zion's Best Overnight Hike)
Distance: 16mi Permit Required
An absolutely amazing place to spend the night. Starting at Chamberlain's Ranch and travelling the lenght of the Zion Narrows you will travel some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the world. You will actually look up so much that your neck will hurt. IF you have the time and can acquire the permit necessary for an overnight stay this hike truly ranks as one of the best overnight hikes anywhere.
Hiring a hikers shuttle is a great way to get an early start and save you the hassle and wear and tear on your personal vehicles. Though Cahmberlain's Ranch is only an hour and a half up remember that picking up your vehicle not only requires a second vehicle but also necessitates a 3 hour slog to retrieve it.
Zion Rock Shuttles 435-772-3303 offers Narrows hiker transportation to Chamberlain's Ranch. Reservations are required. Be sure to inquire about their Narrows Outfitting and Shuttle Combo Deals.
Due to the enormous popularity of the Narrows in recent years, and the wear and tear that has resulted from overuse, the park service has limited access by imposing a permit system. If you are interested in obtaining a permit you can contact the Zion National Park.
There are a couple of ways to go about getting a permit for the Zion Narrows top down hikes.
In advance via the web -Visit The Zion Backcountry Reservation Website -A reservation allows you to have a permit held for pickup once you arrive in Zion National Park. Reservations can be made three months ahead of your trip date. The soonest the permit can be issued to you is the day before your trip at one of the Visitor Center Backcountry Desks. Be sure to bring your reservation confirmation.
Walk up permits
-First Come/First Serve
-Show up the day before the day you want to go at 6:30am and wait in line. Hint-Show up early!
-Half of the dayhike spots as well as half of the overnight sites are open for walk-up spots.
This is canyon country. Flash floods are a serious threat in Zion. July, August, and September are considered our “monsoon season” and therefore, flash floods are more likely to occur during this time of year. However, these powerful and potentially fatal floods can happen any time of the year. Your ambivalence and lack of information can kill you. Before you go, be sure you know! Stop by the Zion Backcountry desk or Zion Rock and Mountain Guides to find out the current weather conditions and patterns, flash flooding potential, and specific trail information.
Permits and Special Preparation Required
Certain times of the year these excursions require particular gear that can make your trip safe and enjoyable, such as drysuits, wetsuits, neoprene socks and drybags to keep equipment and clothing dry. Plan ahead for unexpected events by staying prepared.
Zion Rock and Mountain Guides are committed to your safety. They rent specialized gear that meets the demands of traversing the diverse backcountry conditions encountered in Zion. They also offer instruction courses to help you gain the skills and confidence necessary to become a safe and competent backcountry traveler. Stop in at Zion Rock and Mountain Guides or the Zion Backcountry desk for up to date weather information and route conditions.
FOOTWEAR: You need hiking boots that offer strong ankle support (for all those slippery rocks on the river bottom) and good traction in wet conditions. (Do not attempt this hike in sandals or sneakers.) So if you rent only one item for this hike, make it a pair of 5.10 canyoneers, without question the best river walking shoe out there. Canyoneers stick to wet boulders like glue, offer decent ankle support and when used with a neoprene sock, keep your feet warm. More than any other piece of gear (with the exception perhaps of hiking poles), canyoneers will greatly enhance your Narrows experience.
HIKING POLES: The Park Service suggests a "walking stick" but with the variety of hiking poles available today, they are another obvious choice. (Tip: bring your old ski poles to save some money.) For maintaining balance and thereby reducing fatigue and possible injury, this piece of equipment also ranks high in the must have/rent category.
WATERPROOF BAGS: Ziplock bags are the least expensive way to protect your valuables. Just double bag them. For the best protection, however, consider dry bags. What goes in these bags... anything you don't want to get wet, like a spare set of clothes, your non-waterproof camera, etc.
DRINKING WATER: Virgin River water is not safe to drink untreated. Either carry all the water you will need with you or bring a water filter (removes bacteria and protozoan cysts like Giardia from contaminated water) or purifier (a purifier also removes viruses).
CLOTHING: What clothing to bring depends on several factors: time of year, whether you get cold easily, etc. Although you will probably be hiking in shorts, you should always carry a spare set of warm clothing in case of emergency. And warm clothing means synthetic or wool, not cotton. Fleece, synchilla, capilene, polypropylene - no matter what you call it, all these synthetic fabrics keep you warm when wet thereby helping to prevent hypothermia. If you choose to hike during the off-season, seriously consider renting a dry suit.
MISC ITEMS: - First aid kit
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat (the hike is exposed near Chamberlain's Ranch)
- Topographic map
- Extra food and water
- Toilet paper (pack it out please)
- Trash bags to pack out garbage
- Camera
Zion’s Free Shuttle Buses
Need a ride?? There is a free shuttle service provided by Zion National Park. This service runs in both Zion and the town of Springdale. Please see the provided map for a list of stops and notable important locations. The shuttles run March through October. See the park newspaper for a specific daily schedule as schedules change with the seasons. During these months private vehicles are not allowed up the main canyon which starts at canyon junction. The ride from the visitor center to the Temple of Sinawava takes about 45 minutes. Feel free to get off at any of the shuttle stops and trail heads.
The Zion Rock Shuttle Reservations- 435-772-3303 or info@zionrockguides.com
Many hiking trailheads in Zion are outside the scope of the free shuttle busses. If you are seeking transportation to one of these trailheads Zion Rock and Mountain Guides offers a daily shuttle service to:
Chamberlins Ranch-Daily 6:00 and 9:00 am (book your spaces by calling 435-772-3303)
The Visitor Center in Zion Canyon is located just inside the south entrance of the park. There you will find helpful information from knowledgeable rangers, outdoor displays, and interpretive patio talks. The Zion Natural History Association offers an official gift shop and bookstore. This is also where you catch the free park shuttle. If your plan includes an adventure, permits for overnight backpacking, canyoneering, and climbing are available at the Backcountry Desk. Backcountry rangers can help you plan your backcountry trip. You can also make reservations for certain backcountry trips online at the Zion National Park website:
After an exciting and tiring day of exploring the park, it’s now time to relax and enjoy the evening, and most importantly EAT! Springdale is small, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in the quality of its restaurants and shops. The Bit & Spur offers a fun saloon atmosphere as well as a nice indoor and patio setting to enjoy a great Mexican influenced dinner. If you’re here at the right time this is also a great place for live music. Flanigan’s Inn houses The Spotted Dog Café, a very nice dining atmosphere and excellent food. (It also has a scenic porch set under the cliffs of Zion to enjoy a beautiful and yummy breakfast—check out the French Toast!) Head to The Pizza & Noodle with your family to enjoy a wide variety of delicious gourmet pizzas. Be sure to save room for dessert!—walk next door to Zion Park DeliThe and grab an ice cream cone or sundae. (Mmmm…Moosetracks!) If your dogs aren’t barking too painfully yet, take an after-dinner stroll along Zion Park Boulevard and check out Springdale’s unique gift shops and amazing art galleries.
