Forever Traveling Couple

The Narrows: Zion’s Most Unique and Unforgettable Hike

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The Virgin River has carved a cathedral of stone – and this is the trail.

The Narrows – Where to begin with this hike, some trails carve across canyon walls and climb to dizzying heights, but for this hike, you have to step directly into the heart of the Virgin River. Here towering sandstone walls rise thousands of feet above, narrowing into a cathedral of stone and water. With every step, the world feels both infinite and intimate, a place where adventure is measured not in miles but in moments of awe.

The hike begins gently, at the temple of Sinawava – a calm start before the canyon swallows you whole.

There are two different ways to hike the narrows.

  • Top Down – this is a 16 mile hike from Chamberlain’s Ranch to the Temple of Sinawava. To hike this route you need a permit. While you can complete this in a day, your best option is to camp along the way.
  • Bottom Up – this is the most popular option as it does not require a permit. This route starts at the Riverwalk and you walk upriver for several miles. If you walk all the way to Big Springs (furthest you can go without a permit) you are looking at a 10 mile round trip hike.

HIKING FROM THE BOTTOM UP

We chose the Bottom-Up route, which begins at the Temple of Sinawava after a short stroll along Riverside Walk. The paved path feels deceptively simple. A quiet warm-up before the real adventure begins. At the end of the trail the sidewalk stops, the river begins, and suddenly you’re stepping into Zion’s most iconic hallway of stone.

The first few steps into the Virgin River were a shock – icy water swirling around our legs, the current tugging just enough to remind us that this is no ordinary hike. It took us a few moments to find our footing, testing each step on the uneven riverbed. Once we found our rhythm, though, the river became a part of the journey rather than an obstacle.

The farther we waded, the higher the canyon walls rose. Sunlight filtered in at sharp angles, turning the water golden in some places, deep green in others. We passed families turning back after the first mile, couples pausing ti take it all in, and fellow hikers pressing forward with the same mix of determination and awe.

We paused often, not jus to rest, but let the immensity of it all sink in.

Some of the most breathtaking stretches came as the canyon narrowed – the famous “Wall Street” section, where sandstone cliffs soar more than a thousand feet overhear and the river path becomes almost coridor-like. In these moments the noise of the world falls away; all that remains is the echo of water and the sheer scale of rock towering above.

Wall Street: the Narrows at its most dramatic, where canyon walls nearly touch.

One of the beauties of this hike is that you can go as far as your legs, time and sense of adventure allow, and still walk away with the memory of standing in the middle of one of the most extraordinary landscapes on earth.

This uneven, slippery riverbed is why sturdy footwear and poles are essential.

WHAT TO BRING

  • Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots or rented water shoes (there are several companies that you can rent from); avoid sandals. Casey chose to wear an old pair of tennis shoes that she tossed at the end of the day – this worked well for her.
  • Gear: Dry pants/wetsuit (seasonal and again can be rented), trekking pole (a must), dry bag for electronics.
  • Clothing: Quick-dry layers; avoid cotton. We did this hike in shorts.
  • Water & Snacks: Fuel for long day in shifting terrain
Canyon walls tower above – beautiful, but a reminder of why checking flood risk is critical before entering.

SAFETY & TIMING

  • Flash Flood Risk: Check conditions daily; never hike if storms are forecast. If there is a risk of flash flood, you will not be able to hike.
  • Best Time of Year: Late spring-early fall for comfort, though water levels are the highest in spring. We did this hike in September,
  • Permits: As a reminder you do not need a permit to complete the Bottom-Up hike, but it is required if hiking Top-Down.

TIPS FOR HIKING THE NARROWS

  • Start early to avoid crowds.
  • Bring two trekking poles if possible – balance is everything.
  • Plan your turnaround time; the father you go, the better the views, but every step in means one more step back.
  • Photography: Late morning light illuminates the canyon walls beautifully.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Towering canyon walls rising up to 1,500 feet.
  • The Wall Street section – the narrowest and most dramatic.
  • Orderville Canyon – a stunning side canyon worth exploring briefly.
This hike reminded us that the greatest adventures aren’t measured in miles, but in moments.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Narrows is not just a hike, its an immersion, its stepping into the river of time itself, where water has carved stone for millions of years and you become, for a few hours, part of that story. It is humbling, exhilarating, and unforgettable – Zion at its most alive.

Want more Zion adventures? Check out our guides to Observation Point, Angels Landing and the Watchman Trail.

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