How deep is the water in the Narrows?

Even at 50 cfs, the water can be up to 5 feet deep in some places, so time your hike for days when the water level is below 50 cfs if you can. Also, check at the visitor center about the possibility of flash-flooding. If there's even a remote chance of flash-flooding, DO NOT HIKE THE NARROWS.



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In general, most adults with a moderate fitness level will be fine and enjoy this activity. So if you're a beginner wanting to do the Zion Narrows day hike, don't worry! It can seem intimidating, but so long as you don't have difficulties getting around on a typical hike, you will be fine.

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Not really a park for swimming though you can hike in the waters of the Narrows. And there are areas where you maybe don't want to get your head in the water and especially not get it in your nose and mouth due to toxic cyanobacteria.

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Seeing an American Black Bear in Zion National Park is rare but not unheard of. Since bear sightings are so rare each one, even a possible siting, should be reported to park officials. It is important to know the procedure for bear encounters on the off chance that you may see one.

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Most people hike The Narrows in the summer and early fall when the water tends to be at its warmest and the water level drops. However, life-threatening flash floods are possible at any time and are common during the monsoon season.

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The Narrows stretches for 16 miles but that's if you hike top-down. Most people hike between 2-6 hours on the Narrows hike when starting at the bottom (~6 miles round trip). Since the Narrows hike is an in-and-out trail, whatever mileage and time you put in hiking in, you have to do out.

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Layers: The temperatures in the Zion Narrows can be much cooler than the rest of the park. In fact, we were surprisingly cold during most of the hike. Your bottoms are definitely going to get wet so we recommend wearing shorts or a bathing suit on the bottom.

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The NPS has advised visitors against swimming or submerging their heads in the affected Zion waterways and warned people not to drink water from anywhere in the park. The watches and warnings extend to popular areas of the park, including The Narrows and Emerald Pools.

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The Narrows is a popular hike through the knee-deep Virgin River. Due to cold water temperature and high water levels, the trail is closed in winter and spring. The best time to hike The Narrows is from late May to October, but watch out for summer thunderstorms that can cause deathly flash floods.

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The Bottom-Up Route is Perfect if: You have no desire to hike 16 miles. You are hiking with kids. You want to experience the Narrows but only want to hike a few miles. It's late in the year, the water is cold, and there is limited daylight, so you do not have enough time to hike from the top-down.

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While Zion is home to many different kinds of snakes, the Great Basin rattlesnake is the only venomous snake in the park.

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