Situated in the heart of southern Utah, Zion National Park boasts a wealth of natural beauty. One of those natural beauties is The Narrows. The Virgin River Narrows are one of the national parks most populated hikes, and with good reason. I recently was able to hike a good amount of The Narrows, and let me tell you the beauty was unmatched!
About
The Virgin River carves a stunning gorge through Zion Canyon, which is known as The Narrows. The Narrows in its entirety is a 16 mile hike that travels up the canyon. There are two ways to hike; one requires a permit, which can be hard to obtain, and the other doesn’t require a permit. If you want to hike the entire 16 miles then you would need the permit. I hiked the Narrows Bottom-Up route which does not require a permit.
Please be aware that this hike is not for the faint of heart, while everyone is able to do some parts of the hike, I wouldn’t suggest doing the Narrows top-down route unless you have had some experience and great gear. The Narrows are beautiful and almost anyone can enjoy them, only do what your body can handle and turn around before it is too much. This hike is so fun and has gorgeous scenery and while I definitely recommend it please make sure you are prepared.
Supplies
This hike is done almost entirely in water, about 80% of it is in the Virgin River. So make sure you have good, sturdy shoes that do well in the water. I would also highly suggest a walking stick/staff. I relied heavily on my walking stick and I am not sure that I could have done it without it. When you are hiking in water and can’t see where rocks are, it is very helpful to have something to lean on.
If you don’t have your own supplies, the park has shops by the visitor center that allow you to rent almost anything you would need to accomplish this hike. I have never rented anything from them but so many visitors do and their supplies seem to work splendidly. Another thing that is a must have, is snacks and water. Just like any hike you want to keep your body fueled and hydrated.
Getting to the Canyon
This national park is a little different than others you may have been to, because it requires you to ride a shuttle to get around the park. If you are visiting in the offseason then you are allowed to drive through the canyon but in the busy season you take shuttles. Once you enter Zion National Park, you have to park your vehicle in the visitor center parking lot. From there you are able to visit the visitor center and the gift shop, use the restroom, which I highly recommend because it could be the last bathroom you see for a while, and also this is where you get in line for the shuttle.
The shuttle’s wait times vary depending on how busy the park is, so take that into account when planning your trip. We waited to go up the canyon for probably 15-20 minutes but I have heard of wait times of up to 2.5 hours. You get on the shuttle at the visitor center which is stop #1. They pack the shuttle full so prepare to share your personal bubble with other people. You will ride the shuttle all the way up the canyon and get out at stop #9, the Temple of Sinawava, which is the last stop and also the ending for the permitted hikers who start at the top of the canyon.
Beginning the Hike
After getting off the shuttle, you’re not quite at the Narrows yet. You’ll need to walk a bit further on a semi-paved dirt trail, which is just over a mile long. I tracked it at 1.07 miles. This is the part that almost anyone could do. This part of the hike is fairly simple and is still quite pretty. You will know when you reach the start of the trailhead when you get to the river and the red brick wall and benches. This is where the trailhead for The Narrows Bottom-Up route officially begins.
Trailhead
The trailhead begins in the river and you have the option to start hiking or dip your toes in the river and turn around. It is entirely up to you and what you can handle, you can always start hiking and turn around whenever. There were beautiful sites the entirety of the hike so no matter how far you hike up the canyon you will be in awe of the stunning canyon. To begin hiking simply walk upstream in the river.
The trailhead begins in the river and you have the option to start hiking or dip your toes in the river and turn around. It is entirely up to you and what you can handle, you can always start hiking and turn around whenever. There were beautiful sites the entirety of the hike so no matter how far you hike up the canyon you will be in awe of the stunning canyon. To begin hiking simply walk upstream in the river.
Tips and Tricks
- Since most of this hike is done in the river, it can be challenging to see where you’re stepping. Be cautious of larger rocks in the stream, as they can be tricky to navigate. Wearing polarized sunglasses can help you see better through the water and help you to avoid these obstacles.
- Hiking up the canyon takes significantly longer than the return trip to the trailhead. Be mindful of the time, especially if you’re hiking in the evening, and know when the last shuttle of the day departs. On our trip, the last shuttle was at 8:15 PM, and we were anxious about making it back in time. Thankfully, the descent was much quicker, and we arrived with about thirty minutes to spare.
- Feel free to turn around whenever you need to; I did, and it was still an incredible experience. The entire hike is beautiful, and while you might miss out on some parts, it’s always better to stay safe. We hiked around two miles up the canyon, and some in our group continued another half mile before turning back. In total, we covered 4 miles in the canyon and an additional 2 miles on the paved trail to and from the shuttles.
- Make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the hike. Apply sunscreen as needed, depending on the time of day you’re hiking. Since we hiked in the evening, the cliffs blocked most of the sunlight, and we spent much of our time walking in the shade. However, if you’re hiking earlier in the day, you’ll likely need more sunscreen due to increased sun exposure.
After the Hike
Once you get back on the shuttle, you’ll ride it back down to your car. Seeing the parking lot was one of the most welcome sights I had ever seen. I was wet, tired, and hungry for some dinner.
After putting in some decent mileage on the trail, you’ll likely be ready for a good meal. My favorite place to eat is in Springdale, the charming town just outside Zion National Park. It’s only about a five-minute drive from the visitor center parking lot and offers a variety of dining options to satisfy your post-hike hunger.
Oscars Cafe
I’ve had the pleasure of dining at Oscar’s Cafe multiple times, and each visit, the food has been nothing short of satisfying—exactly what I was craving after a challenging hike or bike ride. Keep in mind that there can be a wait, so just take that into account when planning to eat here.
Personally, I’ve had their Maui Burger, topped with pineapple, and the Murder Burger, both of which were absolutely fantastic. The rest of my group enjoyed various burgers and raved about the Chicken Rotisserie Salad.
One of my absolute favorites at Oscar’s are their sweet potato fries—undoubtedly the best I’ve ever had. I could easily devour a whole basket by myself. A little insider tip: although it might not be listed on the menu, you can request a basket of fries, either regular or sweet potato, for just $5. And don’t miss out on their Birthday Brownie and Ice Cream Sundae; they taste homemade and are a delightful way to end your meal.
If you’re in Springdale, Oscars Cafe is a must-visit. Whether you’re craving a hearty burger, a fresh salad, or those irresistible sweet potato fries, you won’t be disappointed. I wholeheartedly recommend dining at Oscars!
I hope this guide to hiking the Narrows has been helpful. Happy trails and enjoy your adventure in Zion National Park!
Stay Safe and Start Exploring!
Awesome post!!! Keep going!