The Narrows (Bottom-Up)
Instead of a trail, you wade up the Virgin River itself, hemmed in by 1,000-foot sandstone walls that in places narrow to twenty feet across. The bottom-up route needs no permit and no technical skill — just a tolerance for cold water, a stick for balance, and real respect for flash floods.
By The US Hikers editorial team · Last verified July 17, 2026
- Distance
- Up to 9.4 mi RT
- Elevation gain
- 334 ft
- Permit
- Not required
- Best season
- Early summer to early fall (Jun–Oct), once snowmelt eases and water is warmest; watch the monsoon flash-flood window Jul–Sep
Trail overview: bottom-up vs top-down
Almost everyone hikes the Narrows “bottom-up”: take the park shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava, walk the paved Riverside Walk for a mile, then step into the river where the pavement ends. From there you wade upstream as far as you want and return the same way. Reaching Big Spring and back is roughly 9.4 miles; most people go an hour or two in and turn around.
The full “top-down” route is a committing 16-mile one-way canyon through-hike that does require a wilderness permit and a shuttle to Chamberlain’s Ranch. For a first visit, bottom-up gives you the iconic narrow sections — Wall Street especially — without a permit.
Flash floods: the one rule that matters
The Narrows is a slot canyon with no escape from rising water, and people have died here in flash floods. Check the National Weather Service flash-flood potential rating that the park posts each morning before you start, and never enter when it reads “expected” or during or after a storm anywhere upstream — rain miles away can send a wall of muddy water down the canyon on a sunny day.
The park closes the Narrows when the Virgin River flows above 150 cubic feet per second, which is common during spring snowmelt. Always confirm the current status on the official Zion page the day you go.
Gear, water temperature and renting in Springdale
You will be in the river the whole way, so leave the boots and bring closed-toe shoes you don’t mind soaking (or rent canyoneering boots, neoprene socks and a sturdy wooden stick from outfitters in Springdale). The water stays cold even in summer; in spring and fall a drysuit or wetsuit is sensible and widely rented.
Pack water and food in a dry bag, watch your footing on slick submerged rocks, and budget more time than the mileage suggests — wading is slow, deliberate work. Two liters of drinking water per person is a minimum in the heat.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a permit to hike The Narrows?
Not for the bottom-up day hike from the Temple of Sinawava — you can go up to Big Spring and back without one. Only the 16-mile top-down through-hike requires a wilderness permit.
How dangerous is The Narrows?
The main danger is flash flooding, which has been fatal here. Check the park’s daily flash-flood rating and never enter during unsettled weather. Cold water and slick rocks are the other hazards.
What should I wear and bring for The Narrows?
Closed-toe shoes you can soak (or rented canyoneering boots), a walking stick for balance, a dry bag for water and food, and neoprene or a drysuit in cooler months. The river water is cold year-round.
Make it a trip
Where to stay, what else to do and how to build an itinerary around Zion National Park.
Plan a Zion & Springdale trip on Roam StatesSources
Primary sources only for facts that change (fees, permits, closures): nps.gov, fs.usda.gov and official recreation.gov permit pages. We stamp every guide with a "last verified" date and re-check seasonal figures each year.