1. What is "The Narrows"?

The Zion Narrows is unlike any other hike on Earth. Imagine walking upstream through a river, picking your way past slippery, round river rocks as you delve into a narrow, towering canyon. 1500-foot walls of smooth sandstone rise on each side of you, drawing your gaze upward and your mouth agape. You follow the serpentine path the river has carved over millions of years, passing waterfalls, deep green pools, and dark, secret alcoves. The Zion Narrows is a place of mystery, beauty, and solace. It beckons the heart of explorers everywhere.

2. What is the hike like?

The Narrows is a river hike. 60\\\% of the hike is in the river; 40\\\% of the hike follows rocks and sandbars next to the river. You make your way up the Narrows by walking along shoreline, crossing the river to a new shoreline, on so on.

3. Is this a guided hike?

No guide services lead people into The Narrows, as commercial backcountry guiding is illegal in Zion National Park. We offer equipment and information to help make your Narrows hike a safe and fun self-guided event – but we can’t go with you.

4. How deep is the water?

Water depth varies greatly with annual precipitation patterns. The highest water levels occur during the spring snowmelt. From June through February, most Narrows hikers encounter water no higher than their waists.

5. What is the water temperature?
Water temperature ranges from 65°F in the summer to 38°F degrees in the winter.

6. Do you have to swim?

Swimming is rarely necessary when the Virgin River flows less than 120 cubic feet of water per second (cfs). To check current river levels, consult the USGS webpage USGS gauge for the Virgin River. By using your stick and good route-finding skills, you can easily avoid deep pools. If you want to swim, however, there are always opportunities.

7. Are there animals in the Narrows?

Narrows fauna includes many species of birds, reptiles, insects, and fish. Occasionally, a few deer make their way into the Narrows.

8. What is the best time of year to visit the Narrows?

Autumn offers the best combination of comfortable temperatures, small crowds, and good daylight. However, any time of year is beautiful in The Narrows. Check out Best Seasons to Hike the Narrows for in-depth details.

9. What is Orderville Canyon like?

Orderville Canyon is the only tributary canyon of the Lower Narrows. It is much narrower than the main canyon and has less water flowing through it. Orderville is full of obstacles for explorers; boulders, pools, and waterfalls block the way. Many people have fun solving these problems together and pushing as far as they can into Orderville Canyon.