Overview: About 90\\\% of the people who hike the Narrows, most of whom go in the summer months, hike from the bottom-up. This approach allows you to hike in as far as you wish and turn around when you are tired or over-stimulated. Hiking from the bottom-up is available year round (barring flooding) and is spectacular. With so many awesome hikes in Zion, this hike option takes you into the most striking part of the canyon and allows time for other adventures.

Trailhead: Exit the shuttle at Temple of Sinawava. Walk the 1-mile (1.6 km) Riverside Walk until it dead-ends with the Virgin River, then head upstream and begin your river hike.

Mileage: 4 to 10 miles (6.4 to 16.0 km), round-trip, depending on how far you go. Remember, you must hike out as far as you hike in.

Elevation Gain: Approximately 50 feet/mile (9.5 m/km)

Approximate Hike Time: 4 to 10 hours. Plan on hiking 45 to 90 minutes/mile upstream, and 30 to 60 minutes/miles downstream.

Difficulty: Cardiovascularly easy, but requires attention to footing and river navigation

Best Times of Day: Dawn to dusk

Best Times of Year: Spring and Fall. See our detailed table for specifics.

Crowds: An early departure (7:00 - 8:00 a.m.) earns you solitude for most of the day. The river is often filled with people by 10:00 a.m., June through September.

Water Sources: The Virgin River flows through the Narrows year-round. For your own safety, purify all water before drinking.

Camping: Bottom-up hikers are not allowed to camp in the Narrows. Those who want to stay overnight in the Narrows may consider the Overnight Thru-Hike.

Don’t Miss:
- Just above the junction with Orderville Canyon is "Wall Street," the narrowest and most dramatic section of narrows. The walls squeeze down to 25 - 30 feet wide!

- Orderville Canyon is a favorite side-trip from the main Narrows corridor. Orderville is the only possible "turn" you can take from the main path, an intimate side-canyon leading to the East. Orderville is much narrower and shallower than the Narrows, and much less water flows through it. As you hike up Orderville Canyon, you must solve obstacles along the way; some obstacles are simple boulder problems, while others are significant waterfalls which turn many hikers around. If you do choose to explore Orderville Canyon, take care to spot other members of your party and NEVER jump into pools from above.

Special Notes: Having the right gear and information can make the Bottom-Up Hike a much easier and enjoyable experience. Consider stopping by Zion Adventure Company to find out how we can help you.