World → North America → S.W. USA → Utah → Zion Narrows

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world

Zion Narrows Top-Down

Also known as the Virgin River Narrows Top-Down route. AKA the Virgin Narrows. AKA The Narrows.

in Utah’s Zion National Park
16 miles (25 km) from Chamberlain’s Ranch to Temple of Sinawava in the Park
June through October best months
usually closed from mid-March to mid-May due to spring snowmelt and runoff
in places chasm up to 1,968 ft deep and 20 ft wide
about a 1500 ft descent
walk in water up to half the time
9 – 13 hours. Confirm the time of the last shuttle out of the park!
a long, tiring day or you can camp overnight. Be aware that there are only 12 campsites available and they book quickly. Start as early as possible if you are doing it in a day.
Permit is required
water walking shoes, long hiking stick and dry gear recommended
National Park Service closes the hike when flow rate is over 150 cubic feet per second (cfs). And might close it at any time in case of Flash Flood Warning.

spectacular slot canyon hiking with otherworldly views
sheer rock walls
it’s fun and unique to hike in water
Autumn is a good time to hike the Narrows: easier reservation, fewer people hiking, changing of the trees, … but cold water
nearby is another best hike, Angel’s Landing
in fact there is a ton of great hiking near Zion
the first westerner to descend the canyon was geologist and explorer, Grove Karl Gilbert, in 1872. Gilbert coined the name, “The Narrows.”
you’ll want dry clothes at the ready when you finish

Click PLAY or watch flash flood in Zion on YouTube.

before setting out, check the latest conditions and weather forecast with Park Rangers
though the weather may be hot, bring warm clothes as you’ll be wet and in shadow much of the day
carry the water you’ll need as the river is murky
it’s crowded near the Temple of Sinawava end on a nice day

Permits

Click through to nps.gov/zion/ see the latest information on:

You can rent the recommended water walking shoes, long hiking stick and dry gear in from Zion Guru for between $25-55 / day (2019).

Shops in Springdale offer similar rentals.

If you get to the Chamberlain’s Ranch trailhead, you won’t get lost. No guide needed.

On site, check to see if there might be a Last Minute Drawing, Walk-in Permit available. You never know.

make your way to gorgeous Zion National Park, one of the best in the world. It’s about 3 hours drive from Las Vegas to St. George, Utah.
a good place to organize rental gear and transport to Chamberlain’s Ranch trailhead is in the town of Springdale, Utah, just outside one of the Park entrances
we often start making plans to get to the trailhead town using rome2rio.com

Chamberlain’s Ranch is 1.5 hrs drive from Zion Canyon. To get there you have two options:
- private transport or …
- shuttle bus
  - Zion Canyon Transportation: 1-877-635-5993
  - Zion Rock and Mountain Guides: 435-772-3303
  - Red Rock Tours: 435-635-9104
  - Zion Adventures: 435-772-0990
the road to Chamberlain’s may not passable in wet conditions for normal vehicles, and access in winter is limited due to the snow.
finishing in Zion National Park is easy because there are regular shuttle buses which run through Zion Canyon between April and October