Hiking the Narrows with kids may seem intimidating but
it is an amazing adventure that can be tailored to fit almost any family and skill level
. The Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah is world famous for its river scenery between tall red rock walls.
How difficult is the Narrows hike in Zion?
“Top Down” Two-Day Backpacking (from Chamberlain’s Ranch):
The “Top Down” Zion Narrows hike is a
strenuous 16-mile through hike
that starts at Chamberlain’s Ranch, many miles northeast of Zion’s popular main canyon. (You must drive to or hire a private outfitter to shuttle you to the remote trailhead.)
Can a beginner hike the Narrows?
Most people hike between 2-6 hours on the Narrows hike when starting at the bottom
(~6 miles round trip). Since the Narrows hike is an in-and-out trail, whatever mileage and time you put in hiking in, you have to do out.
How do you get to the Narrows in Zion?
Walk over to the Zion National Park Shuttle
stop in front of the Zion National Park Visitor Center (Stop 1). Ride the shuttle to The Temple of Sinawava (Stop 9). Exit the shuttle and continue onto the Riverside walk trailhead which will lead you to The Narrows.
Can you hike the Narrows in April?
Can you hike the Narrows in April? The water is very cold but
you can hike the Narrows in April
. However, depending on the snowmelt, the park service closes access to the Narrows if the flow of the river is too high or there is a risk of flash floods.
Do you need a hiking stick for the Narrows?
There are FREE walking sticks at the entrance
.
At the entrance to the Narrows (after your walk down Riverside Walk), you’ll find piles of sturdy walking sticks left behind by fellow hikers. Grab one that feels comfortable to you, then leave it for someone else when you return.
What to know when hiking the Narrows?
- Keep A Close Eye On The Weather. …
- Waterproof Your Phone/Camera. …
- The Water Depth Will Vary. …
- Bring Closed-Toed Water Shoes With Grips. …
- Rent Neoprene Socks And A Walking Stick. …
- Wear Quick-Dry Clothes, Preferably Shorts. …
- It’s Flat But Tiring. …
- Save Energy For The Return Trip.
Do you need neoprene socks to hike the Narrows?
To hike The Narrows
you should rent canyoneering shoes, neoprene socks
and a walking pole. During months with higher water level you can also rent dry pants or a dry suit.
What is the best time to hike the Narrows?
The Narrows is a popular hike through the knee-deep Virgin River. Due to cold water temperature and high water levels, the trail is closed in winter and spring. The best time to hike The Narrows is from
late May to October
, but watch out for summer thunderstorms that can cause deathly flash floods.
How cold is the water in the Narrows Zion?
Most recent water temperature (11/26/2021):
42oF/5oC
The Narrows closes when the flow rate is over 150 cubic feet per second (CFS), or during spring snowmelt.
How long does it take to do the Narrows in Zion?
Depending on water flow, this hike is easy to moderate in summer and ok for most kids 4 feet or taller. You can hike in as far you would like and turn back at any time. From the parking lot, it is usually only
2-3 hours
into the section of Narrows known as Wall Street.
Do I need a permit to hike the Narrows in Zion?
You are not required to obtain permits for hiking the Narrows from the bottom up
. If you chose to hike from the top down, you will need to arrange transportation, as Chamberlain’s Ranch is a 1.5 hour drive from the Temple of Sinawava.
Can I wear water shoes to hike the Narrows?
Hiking in the river is challenging, and it’s easy to roll an ankle or smash a toe. Sandals or other open-toe shoes will not protect your toes from getting crushed between the rocks as your feet slide around.
You’ll want shoes that will drain out the river water so that you don’t hold onto all of the water weight
.
Can you hike the Narrows in one day?
Hiking the Narrows top-down in one day is no easy feat
. You need to be fit and fast in order to do this. The average amount of time to hike the Narrows from the top-down is 10 to 13 hours, but it takes most people 12 hours, once you factor in time for rest breaks, photos, and meals. A permit is necessary.
How do you get to Narrows in Zion without a shuttle?
Bike into Zion Canyon
The next best way to access the hiking trails for the Narrows and Angels Landing is to get there by bike. One-way distances to the trailheads from the Visitor Center: EMERALD POOLS: The Emerald Pools trailhead is located 4.4 miles from the Visitor Center.
How do I get to Narrows without shuttle?
Biking is the next best option for getting to the Narrows and Angels Landing hiking routes
. The following are the one-way distances from the Visitor Center to the trailheads: EMERALD POOLS: The trailhead for the Emerald Pools is 4.4 kilometers from the Visitor Center.
Can you hike the Narrows in winter?
You can hike the trail year-round
, but due to the chilly water conditions in the winter, you will find less people than you would in the summer. Thankfully, if you decide to venture into The Narrows in the winter, a dry suit from Zion Adventure Co. will keep you nice and toasty throughout the hike.
Can you hike the Narrows in March?
Zion Narrows is
doable in March with a thick wetsuit/dry suit
(which can be rented in Springdale), but it is very unlikely that the road to the top will be open since it has been a heavy snow year. It would be better to go from the bottom up and back the same way.
Can you hike Angels Landing in March?
Best Season:
March to October, but can be hiked year-round as long as the trail if free of ice and snow
. Restrooms: Scout Lookout (when working) at the Angels Landing junction and at the Grotto Picnic area.
How long does the Narrows hike take?
| Rating: Moderately strenuous/strenuous river hiking | Time Required: Allow at least 6 hours to reach and enjoy the best sections of the Narrows. | Length: 2.5 miles from Temple of Sinawava to Orderville Canyon and Wall Street (one-way); 2 more miles to Big Springs. | Elevation Change: gradual ascent up the river. |
|---|
Can I hike the Narrows in Tevas?
You can hike the Narrows in two different ways: 1- the Top Down Hike (permit required) OR what we did- The Bottom Up Day Hike (no permit required)
. The Top Down Hike is a sixteen mile one or two day hike that starts at Chamberlain’s Ranch and ends at The Temple of Sinawava and is for experienced hikers.
How far should I hike the Narrows?
Suitable for most hikers, the Narrows Bottom-Up hike can be
as much as a 10-mile round-trip or as little as the 2-mile round-trip of the paved Riverside Walk
. To see Wall Street, hikers must travel a minimum of 6 miles round-trip, 4 miles of which is in and along the Virgin River.
Do you need hiking shoes for Zion?
When preparing to hike the non-strenuous trails in Zion National Park,
it’s recommended to bring adequate footwear
. Something like trail runners is best but quality sneakers should be sufficient. Open-toed shoes of any kind should be left at home. However, hiking sandals are fine for the leisurely hikes in the park.
How high’s the water in the Narrows?
The Narrows: A 16 mile span of running water surrounded by steep cliffs up to
2,000 feet
high.
