Is it still considered hiking if your feet never leave the water? Or should we call it excessive wading? Perhaps a river crossing that never ends? The Narrows at Zion National Park will not provide the answer to this question so you will just have to go and determine what this “trail” actually is for yourself. However, it doesn’t really matter what you call it because it’s a ton of fun to explore! Once you get past the crowds, that is.

End of the Line

Zion is an amazing park, no doubt about it, but it does have one major flaw. The popularity of the park causes a few challenges, the most glaring issue is transportation.  To get to the most desired trailheads you’ll have to use the park shuttle as cars are not allowed on most of the roads within the park. There are multiple shuttles running the loop so it’s easy to catch a ride back to the Visitor Center once you’re finished with your hike but starting your day on the way to the trail will try your patience. The Visitor Center is the starting point for almost every tourist, other than those staying at the camp lodge. This means there is a loooooooong line in the morning as everyone is trying to hit the trail early to beat the heat. We are talking Disneyland-long lines. Waiting in line at a National Park seems silly. You don’t really have a choice though, and no matter what time of day you go won’t change anything so just suck it up and deal with it. Every hike in the park is worth it, remember good things are worth waiting for.

To get to the trailhead, you will need to take the irksome shuttle to the last stop, The Temple of Sinawava (there isn’t really a temple here, so don’t waste your time trying to find it).

The shuttle drops you off at some restrooms, which you should use because there is no “off-trail” for you do your business in an emergency. After you have answered the call of nature, follow the herds of people along the paved path until you hit the water.

Get Your Feet Wet In The Narrows

The  Narrows hike follows the Virgin River through a thin slot canyon. There are a few sections of rock and dry landed scattered about but they are few and far between.  Depending on how the water is, you may not see them at all. Plan for the water to be at least up to your knee but be prepared to have it up to your chest the further you go.

There is no right way to tackle this trail, but there are a few wrong ways. First off, don’t get suckered into renting or buying one of those hiking staffs. You’ll see almost every tourist with one, but you really don’t need one unless you have some real balance issues. If you’re a veteran of trekking poles you’ll be golden, but novices tend to put all their weight on the staff and end up taking a dive.

Approach this trail like a fly fisherman. Look for slow currents and watch each of your steps as you wade through the water. The number one tip I can give for this hike is to bring polarized sunglasses! The glare on the river’s surface prevents you from being able to see the rocky bottom. Polarized Sunglasses will eliminate that glare and allow you to see where your feet are going. This will keep you safer and allow you to move faster, bypassing all those other lead-footed amateurs who left their sunglasses at home.

The beginning of The Narrows is a sludge through a tourist-swamp. Most people come to Zions for the sole purpose of hiking The Narrows. You can’t fault them, it’s such a cool hike, but you’re going to have to put in some effort to escape them. Luckily most of the crowd dies off after the first mile. There is no actual destination so most people just hike until they are bored and turn around. You are more than welcome to do the same, but you will miss out on the best parts of the canyon.

I recommend going at least 2 miles. This will get you close to the Orderville Canyon, where you will have to stop because it requires a permit to go any further. 2 miles also puts you at the narrowest and deepest part of the canyon at only 20 feet wide. You may need to swim this section if you are brave enough!

The Narrows is the required hike of Zion National Park. Go fearlessly into the chilly water and brave the sea of tourists and you’ll eventually earn yourself some amazing memories.

Trail Tips

• Bring Polarized sunglasses
• You really don’t need a walking stick
• Wear River Sandals or shoes that are meant to travel over wet and rocky surfaces
• Bring Waterproof bags for your electronics

Chad Albright

Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.