Springdale, Utah
The Narrows — Bottom Up
Wade up the Virgin River between 1,000-foot sandstone walls.
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Length
- 9.4 mi
- Elevation Gain
- 334 ft
- Duration
- 4–8
- Best Season
- Jun–Sep
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Features
- Slot canyon, River wading
About the trail
The Narrows is the most famous slot canyon hike in the world. From the Temple of Sinawava, a paved Riverside Walk leads one mile to the Virgin River — where the trail literally is the river. Hikers wade upstream through narrows that pinch to 20 feet wide with walls towering 1,000 feet overhead. Turn around any time; most reach Wall Street (~3 miles in) or Big Spring (the bottom-up turnaround).
Trailhead map & directions
Trailhead: 37.2856, -112.9479Get directions →
Turn-by-turn route
- Take the Zion Canyon Shuttle to Stop 9 — Temple of Sinawava.
- Walk the paved Riverside Walk for 1 mile to its end.
- Enter the river and wade upstream. The current is moderate; water depth varies.
- Big Spring is the legal turnaround for bottom-up day hikers (5 miles in).
- Return downstream the way you came.
Parking
Park in Springdale and ride the Canyon shuttle from the Visitor Center.
Tips from the trail
- Rent canyoneering boots, neoprene socks, and a hiking stick from Springdale outfitters — they make a huge difference.
- Check the flash flood forecast at the Visitor Center every morning. Do not enter if rain is forecast anywhere in the watershed.
- Water can be 50°F even in summer — dress in synthetics.