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One of the best hikes in the world is
ZION NARROWS
Hikes in this area are called:
- Virgin Narrows
- Virgin River Narrows
- The Narrows (Zion National Park)
Do you know this hike?
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Note - rarely does a year go by without at least one person getting caught in the Narrows during a flash flood. The drainage area is huge. Even if the sky is clear above you, it may be raining as far as 50mi away! The 3mi (4.8km) section between Big springs and Orderville Canyon provides no escape.
AT A GLANCE
 canyon walk in knee-deep water
- real risk of flash floods
- 1 or 2 days
- 10-12hrs of walking
- 16mi (25.8km)
- best months June, July & late Sept.
- canyon normally open May - Nov
- medium-hard hiking
- no public transportation to trailhead
WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE
 Paria Canyon and the Zion Narrows are considered the two best slot canyon walks in the USA. Perhaps the world.
But they are dangerous. We recommend the excellent Zion Adventure Company. Great folks who will outfit and advise you.
- it's #5 in National Geographic: America's Best 100 Adventures
- colourful, sculpted sandstone walls up to 3500ft (1km+) high
- "Wall Street" — a 2mi (3.2km) section where the walls close to 22ft (7.2m) wide
- walking in water up to 60% of the time, though it varies depending on recent rainfall
- sidetrip into Orderville Canyon (canyoneering gear needed)
- hiking permit is inexpensive
- hiking nearby spectacular Angel's Landing
- visiting Bryce, and other great nearby Parks
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CONSIDERATIONS
- many have drowned in slot canyons
- if it rains, your trip will be cancelled.
- help is hours away. You need manage your own first aid.
- mobile phones probably will not work
- synthetic, quick-dry clothing is best
- some people wear a wetsuit but a dry suit is more suitable
- it is colder than you expect at the bottom of the canyon. Hyperthermia is a real risk.
- waterproof everything (kayak bags recommended)
- hiking pole(s) recommended for stability
- mosquitoes and biting flies June & July
- special shoes for walking in water highly recommended
- Teva-type sandals do not protect your feet well enough
- we first learned of canyoneering shoes with neoprene booties when we rented them for the Narrows. They are excellent:
canyoneering shoes - FiveTen 
- bring dry shoes for dry sections or around camp if you overnight (though I wore my neoprene booties)
- no campfires
- no burning trash or toilet paper. Pack it out.
- you must poop in a bag. (If you've never done it, you are in for an experience. Human/dog waste bags provided free of charge.)
- the mud literally sucks, especially after high water has receded
- spring water is not plentiful in the canyon. Plan your water management strategy before you go. Carry enough water containers.
- vehicle entrance fee to the Park was US$20 in 2006
- a required hiking permit ($5 / person, discounts for groups) is issued no earlier than 24hrs before you hike. (Waiting on the weather report.)
- kids under 12-yrs-old or shorter than 56in (1.4m) may not be allowed to hike
- about 80 permits a day are available for day hikers (40 by reservation, 40 walk-on)
- only 12 campsites are available for overnight stays (6 by reservation, 6 walk-on)
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The biggest hassle with this hike is the worry about whether it will rain. Even in bright sunshine you can never be sure.
During weekends and holidays, from April through the middle of October, permits may be difficult to obtain ...
During that time, you may have greatest success in obtaining a walk-in permit if you arrive at the Zion Canyon backcountry window or desk the day before your intended trip.
The only way to make reservations for Zion Narrows is on-line. You can phone, but only to ask questions about how to book on-line.
If you cannot get a permit, don't panic. No permit is needed to hike in from the Temple of Sinawava. You can get a long way in and back in one day!
ROUTES
The 2-day itinerary is the best of 3 main options:
- very long day hike
- two days, 1 night
- bottom-up day Hike
click for larger map -Zion Adventure Company
Day hike:
- start at Chamberlain's Ranch (private property)
- go hard if you are doing it in one day
- exit at the Temple of Sinawava, Zion Canyon
- the last free shuttle from the trailhead to Zion Lodge departs at 5:20PM. You may have to beg a ride if you wade out at 8PM!
Two days, one night:
- same route
- no rush, if you bring a tent and spend a night
- you book one of many designated campsites when you pick up your permit. (US$5 / person / night)
Bottom-Up Day Hike:
This is the regular tourist experience. You can still see "Wall Street" by walking up river from the Park 4-10mi, 2-8hrs return.
LOGISTICS
- the closest major airport is Las Vegas International, 150mi (241km) from the park
- smaller airport in St. George, UT, 46mi (74km) away
- there is no public transportation to the park
- Springdale, Utah (pop. 500) is the jumping off town for Zion
- first stop is Zion Adventure Company
- if you have your own vehicle and a driver to drop you, check the map to Chamberlain's Ranch - Zion Adventure Company. It's a 3hr return trip on bad roads.
- better is to take the Zion Narrows trailhead shuttle or another shuttle
- from Apr - Oct, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is accessible by shuttle bus only. (Rt. 9, which traverses the park from east to west, is open year-round to private vehicles.)
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HIKING GUIDES
You can be lead by an expert guide in nearby Paria Canyon. But commercial guiding in Zion is not allowed. Zion Adventure company can outfit you, advise you, but not guide you.
If you lack confidence to do it on your own, do just the Bottom-Up day hike.
LOCAL INFORMATION
TRANSPORTATION TO TRAILHEAD
BEST HIKING GUIDEBOOKS
A hiking guidebook is not essential for just this hike. But if you plan to do other hikes near Zion — these are recommended.
BEST TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS
- Lonely Planet Zion & Bryce Canyon: National Parks - Campbell, Vlahides, Lukas, 2005
- Frommer's Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks - Laine & Laine, 2006
- Utah's National Parks: Hiking, Camping, and Vacationing in Utah's Canyon Country - Ron Adkison, 2001
- Zion National Park: Sanctuary in the Desert - Nicky Leach, 2000
- Utah Atlas and Gazetteer - Nicky Leach, 2000
- Journey to the High Southwest, 7th - Robert L. Casey, 2003
- Rough Guide to Southwest USA - 2003
- Lonely Planet Southwest USA - Grant, Blond, Vlahides, 2005
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OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS
BEST MAPS
You might drown. But you are not likely to get lost.
BEST WEB PAGES
After this page, by far the best link is Zion Adventure Company:
BEST PHOTOS & TRIP REPORTS
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