Hiking From the Archives: The Zion Narrows | Zion National Park, Utah

Are you visiting Zion National Park and looking for an exciting hike that really showcases the spectacular nature of the park? Then you should get your backpack on, pack plenty of water, and find a pair of boots you don’t mind getting wet and head on up into the Zion Canyon Narrows.

The Zion Narrows are located at the northern end of the developed portion of Zion National Park. The easiest access is from the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop, where the riverside trail (which is a paved and easily walked trail) leaves and follows the Virgin River through the wider portion of the canyon.

At the mile mark, the Riverside Trail ends at a small picnic/rest area that has some seats and some great views of the river. This is also at the point where Zion Canyon narrows significantly and the Narrows begin. You can probably tell as you’re hiking up the Riverside Trail that the Canyon is narrowing, but here at the end of the trail, it’s very noticeable, there isn’t even any room for the trail – the river takes up the entire width of the canyon, which at about 30 feet has walls that rise several hundred feet into the air.

Read more about the trip through the Zion Narrows in Zion National Park

Need more info about hiking in Zion National Park?  National Geographic publishes Trails Illustrated Zion National Park Map and the Hiking Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks Guidebook provides a basic overview of hiking trails in Zion National Park.