Safety and Ethics

THE ZION NARROWS

There's no doubt that The Narrows is a special place full of scenic beauty and wonder, but with that beauty comes the risks associated with backcountry travel.

The three main risks found while hiking the Narrows are tripping and falling, hypothermia and flash flooding. Your safety is your responsibility, but with proper planning and your own good judgment, you will find yourself enjoying a safe and successful Narrows hike.

Before starting your hike, come see a Zion Adventures™ outfitter for current weather and river conditions, as well as flash flood potential. With the right information and equipment, you can enjoy this hike safely and comfortably.

Most Common Risks

Tripping and Falling: The most common injuries stem from hikers losing their footing and falling down. Not only are river rocks wet, round, and extremely slippery; they are also prone to unpredictable shifting, making walking more challenging.

Hypothermia: Even on sunny summer days, when temperatures in Springdale can be 100º, Narrows hikers are vulnerable to hypothermia. Water temperatures in the Narrows rarely break 65º, and hours of direct sunlight are limited, causing air temperatures to be 10º - 30º colder inside the canyon. Because the Narrows is a conductive environment, with water and air constantly drawing heat away from our bodies, we can lose heat 4 to 12 times faster than usual.

How do we manage risk?

Use a Walking Stick
Wear appropriate clothing for the season (synthetic clothing, extra layers)
Bring enough food and water
Refrain from jumping off of rocks into the water

Flash Flooding

Flash Flooding: The least common, but most dangerous threat in the Narrows is Flash Flooding. Every few years, people are killed or seriously injured when they find themselves unaware of and/or unprepared for canyon flooding. Fortunately, we can avoid such tragedies by recognizing conditions with high flooding potential and having the right knowledge and equipment to identify and mitigate a flooding situation.

HOW DO WE MANAGE THE RISK?

Check weather conditions often
See a Zion Adventures™ outfitter for current conditions
If signs of flash flooding occur, seek high ground immediately

signs of flash flooding

A change in water color to red or brown
Large debris
Rising water levels
Increased water speed

Leave No Trace Practices

LEAVE NO TRACE®

Zion National Park belongs to no one and everyone. One of the greatest dilemmas facing the Park Service is managing the balance between visitation and preservation. As a visitor to the Zion Narrows, it is your job to keep Zion as clean and natural as possible by following these simple steps:

Vertical Divider

Carry out everything you carry in: The Virgin River is the water source for your campground or hotel, the restaurants you eat at, and all the homes in Springdale. Do not throw cigarette butts, feminine products, diapers, or anything else anywhere but into appropriate trash cans. Bring a plastic bag with you to carry garbage while you hike.

Stay near the river’s edge to protect the plants and wildlife: Wet shoes carry sand and slowly destroy the canyon ecology by eroding precious soils from the stream banks.

Carry out all human waste: Do not leave piles of poop or toilet paper on the shoreline. Stop by the Zion National Park Wilderness Desk or Zion Adventure Company to pick up a carry out bag for your waste. Pee directly into (or close to) flowing water to quickly dilute your urine and avoid accumulating odors on the rocks and sand.

Use a Walking Stick: Do not break trees or branches because you did not plan appropriately.

Please be reasonable during your visit: Restrain yourself and party members from chasing or feeding animals, catching fish, frogs, or lizards, or forging new trails.

Health Information Related to Cyanobacteria

Since cyanobacteria became evident in the Virgin River in July 2020, the National Park Service has been routinely collecting samples to test the river. Since November 2020, concentrations have been below the danger advisory level. However, the Southwest Utah Public Health Department's has left a Health Watch in place.

Cyanobacteria is a natural occurrence, but when in abundance can affect the health of people, animals and other organisms if ingested. Click here for more information as it pertains to hiking the Narrows.