The Narrows Hike in Zion: How Far Should You Go?
The Narrows hike in Zion National Park is incredibly popular, but most hikers only venture a mile or two into the canyon before turning around. After hiking past the Confluence, I realized the best parts of The Narrows are often the least crowded. In this guide, I’ll share what it’s really like to hike farther, what gear is actually worth bringing, and how to decide how far you should go.
➡️ Find more Utah hikes and National Park trip ideas in my Utah Adventure Guide.
Is The Narrows Hike Worth It?
Yes, The Narrows hike is absolutely worth it IF you hike far enough into the canyon. Some of the most dramatic scenery is found near Wall Street and the Orderville Canyon confluence, a mile or two beyond where many visitors turn around. You’re not going to find the iconic tall walls during mile one. To get the full experience this hike offers, plan to commit a whole day.
What Is The Narrows Hike?
Simply put, The Narrows is a slot canyon. The North Fork of the Virgin River runs through The Narrows, and you hike in the rushing waters. There are two ways to hike: top-down (requiring canyoneering equipment and a permit) and bottom-up (no permit, for regular hikers).
I’ll be reviewing the bottom-up approach that doesn’t require a permit. After hiking several miles into The Narrows and exploring Orderville Canyon, I came away with a much different opinion than most Narrows guides. The farther we hiked, the fewer people we saw and the better the landscape became.
Why Is The Narrows So Famous?
The Narrows is famous for its towering sandstone walls, river hiking experience, iconic Wall Street section, and dramatic slot canyon scenery found nowhere else in Zion National Park.
➡️ Want to know what Angels Landing, another infamous Zion National Park hike, is actually like? Read my first-hand experience guide.
Narrows Hike Overview
- Location: Zion National Park
- Permit required: No (bottom-up only)
- Distance: 9.3 mi
- Elevation gain: 875 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail type: Out & back
- Water hiking: Yes
- Best season: Early summer and fall
- Shuttle required: Usually
- Time needed: 6-8 hours
- The Narrows Hike Map
The stats reported above are for hiking all the way to Big Spring. Go as far as you have time for, and make sure you can catch the last shuttle back to the Visitor Center.
Narrows Hike Safety and Closures
Check for closures before planning to hike The Narrows. If the Virgin River exceeds 150 cfs (cubic feet per second of flow), then The Narrows is not safe for hikers.
If there is a flash flood warning, The Narrows will also close. Check with the Visitor Center if you have any concerns about closures during your trip.
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How Long Does The Narrows Hike Take?
Most visitors spend 3-6 hours hiking The Narrows, but reaching Big Spring and returning can easily take a full day (8+ hours).
We hiked past the Orderville Canyon confluence and spent 6 hours in the canyon. River hiking is slower than most people expect, so you’ll want plenty of time to stop for photos and enjoy the scenery.
Important Planning Note
If you’re hiking deep into The Narrows, make sure you leave enough time to hike back out and catch the final Zion Canyon Shuttle.
The only option is to walk 8 miles back to the Visitor Center on the road if you miss the last shuttle. Seriously. Keep track of how fast you’re hiking. Set an alarm for your turnaround time if you need to.
The Narrows Gear Rentals: What You Actually Need
Zion Outfitter rents Narrows gear like canyoneering boots, neoprene socks, a hiking stick, and dry bibs. You can also rent a dry bag backpack.
They have packages, or you can opt to rent individual pieces of gear. Let’s talk about what you actually need for The Narrows hike.
How much gear to rent?
The amount of gear you choose to rent is entirely based on the water temperature. If it’s cold, you won’t want to be very wet. When the water is still chilly but tolerable, you can go without the dry bibs. I’ll dive deeper into each below.
Canyoneering Boots
Provide ankle support and grip on the rocks. Your feet will still get wet.
Neoprene Socks
Must-have! Insulates your feet and keeps sand out. Surprisingly comfortable.
Hiking Stick
Helps maintain your balance in the flowing water.
Dry Bibs
You can wear normal clothing under dry bibs. Bring layers if it’s cold, as the bibs are not insulated.
Dry Backpack
Not super necessary unless you plan to venture out when water levels are high.
The Narrows Hike: What to Wear
Wear quick-drying clothing, grippy footwear, and neoprene socks. Avoid cotton.
What I Wore in The Narrows
- Trail runners
- Neoprene socks
- Quick-dry shorts
- Wool hoodie
I’m an avid hiker and have strong ankles. For me, canyoneering boots weren’t necessary. I wore my non-waterproof trail runners, and they worked perfectly. Non-waterproof trail runners allow water to flow in and out, so you’re not heaving boots full of water with every step.
➡️ What is the difference between trail runners and hiking boots? Find out in my detailed post with real examples.
If you are worried about grip and ankle support, I’d recommend renting the canyoneering boots.
I urge you to buy neoprene socks if you’re also going to hike The Subway. It’s much cheaper to buy your own than to rent for two days. Then you have them for any future water canyon adventures!
➡️ Hike Mary Jane Slot Canyon near Moab, Utah, for a fun mini version of The Narrows. You’ll want neoprene socks on a colder day.
Since the water was cool but tolerable in early May (during a low snow year), I opted not to rent dry bibs. I was able to wear shorts without getting them wet. Keep in mind, I am 5’11” tall, and my shorter friend definitely got wet.
For my top, a wool hoodie was ideal. Wool will still keep you warm even when wet and will dry faster than cotton. After hiking in the water for hours, I was able to keep my core warm.
Additional Gear
I didn’t rent the big stick, but brought my trekking poles. Personally, I like to have two points of contact with my poles. They are also pretty light compared to the stick. I brought my aluminum poles (more durable) rather than my carbon fiber ones.
My hiking backpack was excellent for carrying my layers, water, and snacks. It didn’t get wet, but if you are worried about your belongings, rent the dry bag backpack.
How to Get to The Narrows Trailhead
The Narrows begins at the Temple of Sinawava, the final stop on Zion’s shuttle route.
Shuttle Information
The Zion Shuttle is free and operates most of the year. Check out the National Park Service’s page for up-to-date information about Zion shuttle schedules.
Keep in mind that it takes about 45 minutes to ride all the way to the last stop, the Temple of Sinawava, where The Narrows hike starts.
Parking Tips
You will need to park your vehicle at the Visitor Center parking lot before boarding the shuttle.
Parking can be extremely difficult during peak season. My recommendation is to stay inside the park at a campground like the Watchman Campground near the entrance so you can walk to the shuttle rather than compete for parking each morning.
Wall Street: The Most Famous Section of The Narrows
Wall Street is the narrowest and most photographed part of The Narrows hike. Towering sandstone walls rise hundreds of feet above the Virgin River, creating the iconic views most people associate with the hike. Reaching Wall Street requires hiking several miles into the canyon, which is why many visitors never see it.
Bonus Adventure: Explore Orderville Canyon
Most hikers turn around at or before the Orderville Canyon confluence, but adventurous hikers can continue up Orderville Canyon for a quieter, less crowded experience.
When we decided to hike up Orderville Canyon, we had no idea what to expect. A couple ahead of us started hiking up Orderville Canyon, and we followed them in.
We had the canyon mostly to ourselves, and the scenery was stunning. You should be comfortable with some light scrambling. There were a few sections that required some creative maneuvers.
If you go as far as possible (there was an impassable waterfall section at the end), it adds about a mile round-trip back to the main canyon.
The water was warmer in the shallow potholes of Orderville Canyon. It opened up, and the sun shone throughout. I thought it was definitely worth the detour.
Is The Narrows Hike Difficult?
The Narrows hike can take significant time and energy. Ultimately, you can make it as difficult as you want with the length of your hike.
Do prepare to walk in chilly water with unstable boulders beneath your feet. Many people underestimate the hiking time. I found that walking upstream took more time than walking downstream back to the trailhead.
Bring plenty of food and water to keep up your stamina.
Water depth varies greatly depending on season and river flow. Expect anything from ankle-deep water to waist-deep crossings, with deeper sections possible in spring and high-water years.
Can Beginners Hike The Narrows?
Yes. Most healthy beginners can hike The Narrows, but experienced hikers can likely go farther and reach the best views. The main challenges are balance, river current, and endurance rather than elevation gain.
Who Will Enjoy It
- People willing to hike several miles (one-way)
- Those looking for a slower, all-day adventure
Who May Struggle
- People with poor ankle stability and balance
- People with low endurance
- Those looking for a quick hike with views
If you don’t fancy getting wet, you can just do the Riverside Walk up to the point where you enter the water.
Leave No Trace in The Narrows
Unfortunately, toilet paper is one of the most common forms of litter found in The Narrows. Everything you bring into the canyon should leave with you. The Narrows is an incredible place, and it deserves better.
Leave No Trace Reminders
- Pack out toilet paper
- Pack out trash
- Stay off fragile vegetation
- Respect wildlife
- Leave the canyon cleaner than you found it
Best Time to Hike The Narrows
Early summer or autumn would be the best times to hike The Narrows. Usually, spring comes with melting snowpack, and the water can be fast and cold.
Autumn offers the best of both worlds, with lower water levels and days that can still be warm. Summer crowds may thin out a bit, too.
I did The Narrows hike in early May during a low snow year. The water was cold but not numbing. There will always be many people hiking The Narrows, just know that!
My Experience Hiking The Narrows
My honest opinion while hiking The Narrows.
I’m sure most people doing The Narrows hike can agree, I saw plenty of photos online before seeing the canyon in person. What surprised me most was that the iconic tight canyon walls of Wall Street didn’t start until about 3 miles into the hike.
If you’re after the postcard Narrows views, plan to spend the whole day hiking. The river walking was fun, and there were more places to walk next to the river rather than in it than I thought there would be. Again, you hike several miles before the water is wall-to-wall.
There are lots of people in The Narrows, especially at the beginning. Don’t expect much time by yourself. The novelty of walking in the river can wear off quickly if you’re not aware of the effort it will take to reach Wall Street.
Overall, The Narrows hike is definitely one to add to your Zion National Park itinerary.
Things to Know Before Hiking The Narrows
- No permit required for the bottom-up hike
- Shuttle required most of the year
- Check the river flow before visiting
- Neoprene socks are highly recommended
- Bring more food and water than you think you’ll need
- Plan enough time to catch the last shuttle
- Expect wet feet all day
- Pack out all trash and toilet paper
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The Narrows Hike FAQs
Do you need a permit for The Narrows hike?
No permit is required for the popular bottom-up Narrows hike from the Temple of Sinawava. A permit is only required for the top-down route that begins outside the main canyon (and requires canyoneering experience).
How long does The Narrows hike take?
Most hikers spend 3-6 hours in The Narrows, depending on how far they go. Reaching Big Spring and returning can take 6-8 hours or more, making it a full-day adventure for many visitors.
Can beginners hike The Narrows?
Yes. Most healthy beginners can hike The Narrows if river conditions are safe. The biggest challenges are balance, uneven river rocks, and endurance rather than steep elevation gain.
Do you need special shoes for The Narrows?
Not necessarily. Many hikers rent canyoneering boots, but trail runners with good traction can work well. Neoprene socks are highly recommended because they provide insulation and help keep sand out of your shoes.
How deep is the water in The Narrows?
Water depth varies throughout the year. Some sections may only be ankle deep, while others can reach knee or waist depth. Spring runoff and recent storms can significantly increase water levels.
Is The Narrows worth it?
Yes, especially if you hike farther into the canyon. Many visitors turn around after a mile or two, but the most iconic scenery and narrow canyon walls are found deeper in The Narrows near Wall Street and the Orderville Canyon confluence.
