What time is best to do the Narrows?

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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Turn around when you have had your fill. Continuing up the Zion Narrows, the canyon remains dark and impressive with no high ground to climb up to in the event of the thunderstorm or flash flood. Most hikers will continue hiking up through this section and then turn around when the scenery mellows out a bit.

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The hiking season for the Zion Narrows is typically summer and autumn, but the start of the season is controlled by the spring runoff and water levels. The Zion Narrows is typically closed to hiking between mid-March and late May, depending on how much snow fell on the high country in winter.

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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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Best time of day to hike the Narrows The big rush tends to be in the morning as the people who want to hike the furthest start early. By the afternoon, the lower sections are quieter and warmer, which makes for a more enjoyable hike.

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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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Can a Beginner do the Zion Narrows Day Hike? Yes, beginner hikers can absolutely do the Zion Narrows day hike! Even if you don't have much hiking experience, you will be perfectly fine hiking the Narrows.

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For a trek deep into the narrows or a through hike I'd say rent the water hiking shoes from one of the outfitters. We choose the boot/sock/walking stick option and it turned out to be a great choice for us. The water came up to mid-thigh and was very muddy so you couldn't see where you were walking.

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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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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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In the early spring and late fall months, neoprene socks, pants or bib overalls, or a wetsuit may be necessary to hike in the river.

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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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near the start of the hike. It was hard for us to imagine doing that hike without a stick for balance and support when going through some of the trickier spot. If you rent shoes, they will also rent you a stick. Don't do this hike barefoot, in flip flops, in open toe sandals or in cheap water shoes.

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Best Time to Hike the Narrows October is a gorgeous time to hike the Narrows. The later you get in the month, the better the fall colors will be and you will share the canyon with just a few other people. But you also have to take into account shorter days, colder temperatures, and the reduced Zion shuttle schedule.

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The Narrows is much cooler than Zion Canyon. Pack gear in waterproof bags. Use the restroom at the Riverside Trailhead before hiking. There are no toilets in the Narrows.

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At the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop, there are water fill stations and bathrooms. Make sure to use the restrooms here. If you do need to go pee in The Narrows it is better to do it in the water than on the shore. If you need to go #2 while in The Narrows you MUST pack it out.

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Since you'll be going upriver, you will need equipment that keeps you as warm and dry as possible. Narrows hikers typically use waterproof hiking boots and neoprene socks. Your feet will still get wet, but they won't get cold and soggy like they otherwise would if you tried to use regular hiking boots and socks.

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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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Outfitter stores, such as Zion Outfitter, in the gateway town of Springdale, rent shoes, socks, and walking sticks. In the winter, they rent waders. We've seen plenty of people without the rented gear doing the hike, so it's not necessary. However, I think it is super helpful and I definitely recommend it.

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