Occasional thunderstorms in the summer also produce on the zion narrows hike. Heightening the intensity of the adventure is an overnight stay, camping on the banks of the virgin river, deep in zion canyon, surrounded by soaring sandstone walls. Grab the gear, trails and knowledge to do this hike at the best time of year for you without making the same mistakes we did. Hike the narrows, zion np, temple of sinawava trail. To hike the 16mile length of the zion narrows from the top down, you need a shuttle. A thru hike of the zion narrows in midoctober, finds those willing to step up to the twoday 16 mile challenge, an opportunity to observe an incredible display of fall color. By the tattered backpack november 29, 2014 specific destinations, zion national park no comments.
Join me as i hike through zion national park including conquering my fear of heights hiking up to angels landing. One of the largest slot canyons in the world, the zion narrows is. Join me for an unforgettable hike into the narrows at zion national park in southern utah. Oct 24, 2016 as the life source of zion, the virgin river has carved its way through the mountains, creating breathtaking caverns known as the narrows. One is the hike through narrows and the other is the narrows themselves.
National geographics adventure magazine rated hiking the zion national park virgin river narrows number five in its list of americas best 100 adventures. Starting from the riverside walk, the bottomup path is a hike that anybody can try. We are planning a trip to zion the 2nd week in may and would like to see the narrows. It is not uncommon for hundreds of people to hike to angels landing or the narrows. The walls of the main canyon close in to form a tall and narrow canyon with beautiful rock formations and the virgin river flowing around you. Angels landing hike 66484324 the subway 65440852 video, photography. Its considered one of the absolute best trails in the world and its a hike nearly anyone can enjoy. Hiking the narrows at zion is one of my alltime favorite hikes.
Effective march 17, 2020, zion national park will temporarily suspend the parks shuttle operation. Ultimate trails the zion narrows hike round the world magazine. So in order to download hike for pc, you have to download an emulator first. Day hike from top to bottom walking the entire length of the narrows can be a grueling experience. Zion national park marks one of its most coveted destinations, garnering over 3. It begins towards the back of zion s main canyon, where the virgin river emerges between the towering canyon walls. The most important factor to consider with the zion narrows hike is the weather. Hiking the narrows in zion national park, part one.
Get an early start with this road trip to two amazing national parks in southern utah. Hiking is not permitted when the river is high which is during the winter and the end of april to early may. The narrows is by far the most popular hike in zion national park. The narrows trail in zion national park zion narrows. Avoid long lines at visitor centers by planning your trip ahead and download the map and guide.
A permit is required to enter the canyon from the top at chamberlains ranch. Zion park officials closed the narrows and other trails saturday afternoon when a flash flood warning was. This trail is paved and suitable for children and adults. Best waterfall trails in zion national park alltrails. Sections of the 2000 foot cliffs narrow down to just 20 30 feet wide.
The zion narrows trail is protected forever the trust. You can stay on the main trail or ike on the trail down by the river. Reservations are available online during a threemonth time frame. The park itself remains open and visitors will be allowed to drive up the zion canyon scenic drive until the limited parking in the main canyon has filled.
How to hike the narrows using gear you already own fresh. The narrows is the part of the zion canyon which becomes quite steep and narrow and you have to partially hike it through the water of the virgin river. Amazing hike into the narrows from riverside trail. Jun 19, 2016 the narrows is by far the most popular hike in zion national park. Add a deep canyon with little escape options, and an overnight backpacking trip for the topdown option, and youll discover that the narrows is a specialized and arduous undertaking.
Zion national park in utah is one of the best hiking destinations in the united. There is no maintained trail because the route is the river. May 09, 2016 the narrows in zion national park is perhaps the most scenic and dramatic canyon in all of utah, and backpacking is the best way to see it. The 258acre chamberlain ranch, two miles east of zion national park, provides the main access to the zion narrows, one of the most famous slot canyons on the colorado plateau. Download our printable ultralight backpacking gear. Zion national park hikes guiding hiking tours zion.
This is your easiest option no special shuttle or permit required go as far in the zion narrows as you feel comfortable. Download bluestacks from the link given in the first step of the hike messenger download for pc guide. Hiking the narrows in may zion national park forum. Also, you may be at the very beginning of monsoon season and will need to watch the weather as they will not issue permits if they expect flashflood. Hiking the zion narrows is a bucket list experience to be sure. This majestic slot canyon is the section of the virgin river upstream from the main zion canyon.
Departing from hotels on the las vegas strip, spend an entire day exploring these natural wonders. Discuss with your guide the hikes below to decide which will create the. Hiking this slot canyon is unique because the virgin river is the trail. The zion narrows zion national park zion adventure. The starting point can be reached very easily via the flat and easygoing riverside trail from shuttle stop 9 the temple of. Theres no room for an actual trail, so hikers must ford their own path through the virgin river. Tips for hiking the narrows in zion the tattered backpack. Equipment recommendations, water levels, permits, etc. After that trail, youll enter the water and begin to hike the narrows. The narrows bottom up route hiking trail, springdale, utah.
The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is best used from may until october. My family of 5 will be visiting zion to hike the narrows during the week of march 11. What gear to bring last month, i went on a super cool backpacking trip through the zion narrows, which is one of the most impressive slot canyon hikes in the country. While the water can be strenuous to navigate at times, you can turn around at any time. How to hike the zion narrows as a novice in zion national park.
To learn more about the zion narrows, check out my previous posts in this series. It is pure fun and can be tailored to suite any ability level. Video shows hikers form human chain to escape flash. Nov 29, 2014 the zion narrows is probably one of the best canyons to hike in all of zion national park and quite possible my personal favorite day hike of all time. The zion narrows is world famous for its sculpted sandstone walls and breathtaking beauty. For years i have been looking at dreamy photos online of people hiking the narrows in zion national park. One guy even told us that hiking the narrows was like walking on bowling balls covered in vaseline.
Day hike from the bottom and back no permit required 6 miles round trip 45 hours. It begins towards the back of zions main canyon, where the virgin river emerges between the towering canyon walls. Guided hiking zion ponderosa ranch resort zion national. It is a beautiful and easy hike from the parking area. Experience our new guided hiking adventures in zion national park. Make every moment count with the assistance of expert guides, you will be able to customize your day in zion national park. Discuss with your guide the hikes below to decide which will create the perfect experience for the needs and desires of your group. However, for those seeking to hike in the colder months of the year, we do suggest renting or purchasing the appropriate equipment. In the kolob canyons section of zion national park, the trailhead for the 14mile roundtrip hike to enormous kolob arch is accessible off i15, 18 miles south of cedar city.
The narrows is the narrowest section of zion canyon. Sep 29, 2016 join me for an unforgettable hike into the narrows at zion national park in southern utah. The zion narrows is probably one of the best canyons to hike in all of zion national park and quite possible my personal favorite day hike. The one i mostly use is bluestacks android emulator. There are twelve campsites inside the canyon allowing groups to split the hike into two days. The main canyon zion canyon is the popular touristy section of zion national park that features all of the amenities.
The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from march until october. Traffic backed up at the entrance to zion national park. Its considered one of the absolute best trails in the world and its a hike nearly. That deal ensured that the narrows trailhead and the first few miles of the trek would remain open to the public forever. This bottomup version of the narrows hike is the most popular route by far and involves trekking through the virgin river as it flows through the slot canyon.
The zion narrows is unlike any hike in utah or even the world. In this episode we experience the famous narrows at zion national park for the very first time and share our complete experience with you. Hiking the zion narrows is a very unique experience. If youre traveling with younger children, check out our family zion hiking weekend rei signature camping trip. If any place has the power to inspire awe, its the zion narrows, southern utahs premier hike in zion national park.
Hiking the narrows in zion national park is one of my favorite hikes and something i return for almost every year, i can still remember my first visit as a kid. Riverside walk healthy trail guides intermountain live well. Zion includes a large area of lowelevation desert where it is enjoyable to hike during winter. When we are done marveling at zion s natural beauty, we rest both nights at our private signature camp, exhilarated and glad we came along for the ride. Most people hike it from the bottomup, an out and back journey that takes you through some of the most scenic sections of the canyon. The legendary narrows of zion is a location unlike any other in the world and is simply one of the most magical and incredible sites anywhere. Thats how i find myself packed into a van run by the zion adventure company.
Permits are not issued when the flow is 120 cubic feet per second cfs or greater. Make sure to keep a look out for mystery falls on the left side of the canyon as you hike up. Hike the zion narrows, utah, best american adventures. Under favorable conditions, the 16mile route takes an average of 12 hours. The narrows are just one of over a dozen major hiking trails in the park, including angels landing, an intense 5mile 8kilometer trail that rewards hikers with sweeping views at the summit. The narrows zion national park all you need to know. Hiking the zion narrows zion national park youtube. Overview of hiking and backpacking routes through the zion narrows the north fork of the virgin river in zion national park. Zion national park in utah is one of the best hiking destinations in the united states. Narrows hike alternatives though nothing truly compares to the zion narrows, there are a few hikes that get you into a wonderful slot canyon, sometimes with or without flowing, or pooled water. Be prepared for walking through the river and have the appropriate gear.
When the water is above 150 cfs the park closes the narrows for up to 24 hours until it falls below 150 cfs. Mar 16, 2016 hiking the zion narrows is a bucket list experience to be sure. I featured this segment on ksl outdoors, and it shows off the beauty of the canyon, as well as tips on how to make the hike, and the gear youll need for a successful adventure. The narrows zion national park 2020 all you need to know. Sep 23, 2015 backpacking the zion narrows is a 16mile, oneway adventure. The zion narrows trail is 16 miles to the temple of sinawava which involves a strenuous oneday walk, or camping overnight. For miles you hike through an endless slot canyon with the north fork of the virgin river as your hiking trail. Jan 28, 2016 when we first tackled the narrows hike, everyone we spoke to and nearly everything we read told us we had to rent canyoneering shoes and neoprene socks, specifically from zion adventure company. A completionists guide to hiking the narrows bottom up. Faint beams of sunlight bouncing off the colorful canyon walls. See why we think this is our favorite national park hike. Whether youre on a leisurely day hike, a pulsepounding topdown descent, or an overnight backpacking adventure, be sure to stop and appreciate the many amazing features the narrows have to offer.
At least 60 percent of the way is spent wading, navigating, and sometimes swimming in the river. The narrows in zion national park is part of the north fork section of the virgin river. The flow rate of the virgin river is measured by cubic feet per second cfs. Below is the hit list of hiking routes, organized by the different sections of zion national park and the surrounding areas. Each year many hikers enter the narrows unprepared for the terrain. The national park service is modifying its operations on a. This gorge, with walls a thousand feet tall and the river sometimes just twenty to thirty feet wide, is one of the most popular areas in zion national park. What to expect on the zion narrows hike stop by the visitors center. For what it is worth, i emailed the zion adventure company about hiking the narrows in november and they seemed to think that with the right equipment it is certainly doable.
Hiking the narrows means hiking in the virgin river. Hiking the narrows week of march 11, 2018 zion national. The zion narrows is one of the most iconic features of zion national park. Zion narrows ultimate hiking guide joes guide to zion. Silky, turquoise water flowing through deep, dark canyons. I have had to cancel a trip because the flow was too high and they will not let you hike the narrows. Unlike most hikes that are on a trail, in the narrows you are wading almost entirely in a river. Zion outfitter provides specialized gear that allows hikers to safely and comfortably explore the narrows.
So when my friend, dave hert, scored an overnight permit to backpack from the top down and experience the narrows the way it should be, i said yes before he even invited me. The narrows is the most popular hike in zion national park, and one of the worlds best slot canyon hikes. Zion national park is full of amazing day hikes that unlock its mysteries, step by step. Zion national park americas best hikes 2015 youtube. Over half of all available narrows permits are available using a calendar reservation system. When people think of zion national park, many of them think of the narrows. Between its colossal red rock and vast, varying terrain, utah harbors some of the most humbling nature around. The national park service touts the narrows trail as one of the best, if not the best, hike in the national park system. How to hike the narrows at zion the traveling traveler. Zion national park features some of the best and most adventurous hiking.
You can see the narrows by hiking along the paved, wheelchair accessible riverside walk for one mile from the. Theres no other place like it in the national park system and the stunning beauty of its towering walls and vibrant river make it a top. This accessible river invites travelers to hike upstream, navigating through shinhigh to waistdeep depths depending on the season. Exit the shuttle and continue onto the riverside walk trailhead which will lead you to the narrows. If the narrows reach a specific high rate of flow, the river is actually closed by the zion national park service and you will be unable to hike during that time.
Even for wellconditioned hikers, this makes for a long and strenuous day. The zion narrows zion national park zion adventure company. At certain flow rates your experience will vary see narrows flow rate visual below. While it offers a range of highlightsfrom the emerald pools to weeping rockno trip is complete without the narrows. Hiking the narrows requires walking in the rocky, uneven, and slippery river bottom for a majority of the day.
The narrow hikes are considered the most popular and exciting hikes on the colorado plateau. This is a great trip for adults and fit, older teens. How to prepare for a hiking trip to zions narrows sunset. Please contact us if you have any problems or comments about our virtual tour of the park and the angels landing trail. There are plenty of hiking adventures in the world that offer stunning views and pristine environments, but zion narrows is a beauty among beauties. The narrows, with its soaring walls, sandstone grottos, natural springs, and hanging gardens can be an unforgettable wilderness experience. The trail winds alongside the beautiful virgin river for about a mile to the mouth of the famous zion narrows. The zion narrows trail traverses two private properties before entering the national park. Mar 16, 2015 i did the narrows hike from top to bottom the lighter choice, bottom up is closed during winter months.
The virgin river carved zion national parks famous white, pink, and red rock formations over time. With walls soaring thousands of feet high and only thirty feet apart in some portions, the canyon provides hikers a completely unique adventur. The narrows is perhaps the most famous hike in zion national park. Canyon video, available on bluray, dvd and video download. Video shows hikers form human chain to escape flash flood in zion national park. The zion narrows is a classic, not to be missed, and we can help you do it right. The narrows zion national park 2020 all you need to.