How many hours is the Narrows hike?

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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There are also parts of The Narrows where it's deep enough to swim, but we won't be going that far on this trip. The Narrows is 16 miles long and can take up to 12 hours. However, most people do not go that far.

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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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Sixteen mile trips through the Virgin River Narrows, from Chamberlain's Ranch to the Temple of Sinawava, can be done as a very long single-day hiking trip, or as a single overnight backpacking trip. Multi-night backpacking trips through the Virgin River Narrows are not permitted.

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Best time of day to hike the Narrows If you are only looking to do a small portion of the Narrows, then we recommend visiting in the late afternoon when it has warmed up a bit. The big rush tends to be in the morning as the people who want to hike the furthest start early.

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This section is known as Wall Street. The canyon walls can be just 30 feet wide. TURNAROUND POINT: Some people chose to go as far as Wall Street and then turn around, making it a six-mile round trip hike. If you have the energy to see it, it's well worth the effort.

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Even without the Monsoon, the Narrows should be hiked with a keen eye on the sky to the north. Thunderstorms occur largely in the late afternoon, so get up early and put those miles in before mid-afternoon, so you will be in a safe place during those critical hours 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

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Nestled deep into Zion National Park, this trail winds through the canyons along the Virgin River. I promise you, you will be humbled and amazed at the beauty of this place. I'm here to tell you that there's no need to wait until your kids are older, you can do this hike WITH them!

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A hike through The Narrows requires hiking in the Virgin River. You must get your feet wet since there is no trail. Most people choose to start their hike from the Temple of Sinawava via the Riverside Walk and then walk upstream before turning around and hiking back down to the Temple of Sinawava.

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Water levels in the Virgin River Narrows, even when the CFS of the river is low, can range from ankle deep to full swims. Most of the time the river is ankle to knee deep, but all top-down hikers should be prepared for deep sections where swimming is required.

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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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Winter = 40-45 degrees. Spring = 45-55 degrees.

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You can rent special shoes and socks for The Narrows here. Quick-dry clothing — be sure to wear clothing that will dry quickly. Synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, or spandex work well. Don't wear cotton!

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The Narrows and Keyhole Canyon While not dangerous on a normal, dry day, they can become deadly in only a matter of seconds if it begins to rain. Flash floods can fill the canyons, washing hikers and debris downstream and making it almost impossible to escape.

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If you have a spare camera, you might consider bringing it along instead of your main one. Although I brought my main camera, there were a few times that I would have preferred a backup instead. In terms of equipment, the most important gear to bring is a wide-angle lens.

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DRINKING WATER: Virgin River water in the Zion Narrows is not safe to drink untreated. Either carry all the water you will need or bring a water filter (removes bacteria and protozoan cysts like Giardia from contaminated water) or purifier (a purifier also removes viruses).

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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 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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The Narrows closes when the Virgin River flow rate is over 150 cubic feet per second (CFS) and when the National Weather Service issues a Flash Flood Warning.

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Two completely different hikes. Narrows is level...as long as you consider walking in the river level (which it is not). Angels Landing is much more strenuous, uphill, and people with height or edge concerns are strongly discouraged.

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Angel's Landing can be very scary at times, with sheer drop-offs and narrow ledges with only a chain to hold onto. If heights make you queasy, The Narrows is definitely the better option. Although it involves wading through cold water in places, it's relatively safe and there's never any exposure to heights.

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