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Zion Narrows

Treks / USA (Utah)

The Narrows (Zion)

USA (Utah) · Nearest city: Las Vegas (also Salt Lake City)

TypeDay hike
Days1
Distance≈ 15 km
Climbingvaries
Highest pointlow-level

A walk up the Virgin River through a slot canyon hundreds of metres deep, wading much of the way.

Fitness Moderate
Best seasonLate spring to autumn

Watch out: Flash floods are a real danger. Check the forecast and the river flow before you go.

Why people choose it

You walk up a river inside a slot canyon hundreds of metres deep, one of the most unusual hikes in the world.

What makes it different

  • Walking in the river itself
  • Slot canyon walls 300 m high
  • Canyoneering shoes and poles for rent nearby

Route options

There is rarely just one way to walk The Narrows (Zion). These are the main choices people make.

Similar treks to consider

McAfee Knob USA (Virginia) · 1 day · 13 km The most photographed spot on the Appalachian Trail, a rock ledge jutting out over the Catawba Valley. Cinque Terre: Sentiero Azzurro Italy · 1 day · 12 km The famous Blue Path linking the five villages of the Cinque Terre on cliffs above the sea. Short, but... Old Rag USA (Virginia) · 1 day · 15 km A granite rock scramble in Shenandoah National Park, a favourite day out from Washington, D.C.

Before you go

Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.

Phone and data

Roaming in USA is expensive on most phone plans. A data eSIM bought before you fly gets you online as soon as you land.

USA eSIM on Airalo

Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.

Insurance that covers this trek

Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.

Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.

World NomadsHeymondoSafetyWingTrue Traveller

True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.

Camping and where to sleep

In national parks, overnight stays need a wilderness permit and camping is often limited to designated sites. On most national forest and BLM land, dispersed camping is allowed.

Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.

Route map

Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.

Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city

Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.

Stops: Temple of Sinawava → The Narrows

Simple overview map
Temple of SinawavaThe Narrows20 kmN

Step by step

  1. Months before

    Plan and book

    • No bookings are needed for most people. Choose a day with a good forecast.
    • Best time to go: Late spring to autumn.
  2. 6–12 weeks before

    Train and test your gear

    • Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
    • Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
    • Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.

    Readiness quiz · Packing list

  3. Getting there

    Travel to the start

    • Most people start from Las Vegas.
  4. On the trail

    Walk it

    • Start early and set a turnaround time. Be back down before the weather turns or daylight fades.
    • Carry water, food, a warm layer and a rain jacket even on a sunny day.
  5. The finish

    Get home

    • It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.

How the season changes things

Best time: Late spring to autumn

March to May

Spring

Pleasant temperatures and the best time for most desert hikes, though nights are cold.

Bring

  • Sun hat and sunscreen
  • Warm layer for mornings
  • Plenty of water

June to September

Summer

Dangerous heat, often above 40°C, and monsoon flash floods from July. Hike at dawn only.

Bring

  • 4+ litres of water and electrolytes
  • Check flash-flood forecasts
  • Avoid midday hiking

October to February

Autumn and winter

Cool, clear and quieter. Snow and ice possible on higher rims.

Bring

  • Warm layers
  • Microspikes for icy rims
  • Headlamp for short days

Be ready for

Flash floods

Rain miles away can send a wall of water through a canyon or stream. Check the forecast and turn back if it rains.

Wading

Much of the route is in the water itself. Closed-toe shoes with grip, neoprene socks and a walking stick are the standard kit.

Trekking poles →

What you'll see

6 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.

Zion Narrows
Zion Canyon in winter
Zion angels landing view
Near Temple of SinawavaEnd of the road Zion National Park
Near The Narrows (Zion National Park)Zion landscape
Near The Narrows (Zion National Park)The Narrows, Zion - panoramio

Gear for the The Narrows (Zion)

Hiking boots Top pick: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX Trekking poles Top pick: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Rain jackets Top pick: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L

Photo credits: Zion Narrows by Jon Sullivan, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Zion Canyon in winter by Photo by Douglas Dietiker, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Zion angels landing view by Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; End of the road Zion National Park by Kirt Edblom, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Zion landscape by Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; The Narrows, Zion - panoramio by Jacob Montgomery, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.