Mt. Zion National Park: Hiking The Narrows
6 am. Mount Zion National Park. Still tired from waking up so early, we placed our feet into the cold water of the Virgin River. Even though the water was only ankle-deep, we could already feel the strong current against our bodies. Our footing was unsteady because the slippery boulders beneath shifted under our weight. We grabbed our walking sticks, planted then firmly into the ground below, and headed shakily into The Narrows.
“We grabbed our walking sticks, planted then firmly into the ground below, and headed shakily into The Narrows. ”
What Is The Narrows?
The Narrows is a flooded slot canyon that's open for hiking. It represents the narrowest section of Zion Canyon. The canyon walls tower a thousand feet above you while at its thinnest, the river spans only 20 feet. The depth of the river varies with the seasons, but for the most part, you'll be sloshing through water the entire time. Most of our hike was through ankle-deep water, but several sections of the walk had us wading through water up to our chests. If this sounds as fun to you as it did to us, you'll love your adventure through The Narrows.
The canyon walls soar a thousand feet upwards.
The water can get very deep at times.
How Do You Get There?
The Narrows is located inside Mt. Zion National Park in southern Utah. To get to the trailhead, you board the shuttle at the park visitor center and ride it to the very last stop, the Temple of Sinawava. There you head down, "The riverside walk." It's an easy two mile round trip hike that ends at the beginning of the Narrows. From there, you can hike as far into the canyon as you want. Just remember that this is an out and back trail. How ever far into the Narrows you go, conserve enough energy and water to make it back out the same distance.
The end of The Riverside Walk.
What Gear Do You Need?
We saw a few people do this hike with nothing but running shoes on their feet. Maybe we're just beginners or uncoordinated, but we still can't understand how they managed it. The current to the river can be very strong, and the rocks underneath feel like bowling balls smeared with Vaseline. At the very least, you should have a walking stick or trekking pole to help steady yourself. But we'd recommend doing what we did and rent proper gear. Springdale is the town just outside of the National Park. There, for around 25 bucks, you can rent water suits, poles, and waterproof hiking shoes. The water can be freezing, depending on the time of year. So we were happy we rented the proper footgear as it helped keep our feet warm. We also brought rain jackets to break the chill for our upper bodies. Inside a waterproof backpack, we stowed away our phones, keys, and camera gear. This hike is no joke. Get the proper equipment so you can enjoy the hike safely.
“This hike is no joke. Get the proper equipment so you can enjoy the hike safely. ”
Conclusion
We can honestly say that The Narrows is the most unique and enjoyable hike we've ever done. We wouldn't hesitate to go again. Research the water levels and weather before you plan your trip and rent the proper gear once you arrive. Does this hike look fun to you? Have you ever visited Mt. Zion National Park or the Narrows? Let us know below in the comments.