If you go to Zion National Park you can not miss The Narrows. It is in the top 2 most strenuous hikes in the park & so very worth it.
It is first off such a different hike then so many out there. You are literally hiking in water the entire time between two beautiful canyon walls.
Let me preface all my recommendations are for people hiking The Narrows the more common way:
the 9.4 Miles via the Riverside Walk
by getting off at the last Zion Shuttle stop: Temple of Sinawava
Some people hike the Narrows Top Down & do the 2 day backpacking trip. I did the more common hike starting at the bottom.
After getting off at the Temple of Sinawava- you then have to hike about 1 mile in to reach the beginning of The Narrows.
It starts out pretty shallow like a foot of water at the beginning of the hike, but the further you go it can get up to your shoulders / there are moments where you even have to swim.
What is great about The Narrows is that it is an Out & Back hike. So, there is only one way in & when you want to turn around & be finished with the hike you can !
I know plenty of people who just hiked 1 mile in & called it a day.
I went the full 5ish miles in & 5 back out in one day & it got more gorgeous with each mile. I highly recommend going as far in as you can.
I went this October & the water was a little under 50 degrees. AKA – I was FREEZING.
I wore quick dry leggings, my own industrial hiking boots, a good coat, & rented a walking stick.
The stick was like $8 to rent & helped me tremendously. You are walking in water on top of rocks you can’t always see so the stick allowed me to go so much faster. Some people did not have sticks but were also going much slower.
Many people also rent hiking gearing -like waterproof shoes & pants. I decided to save $ & not do that.
I talked to many people on the hike (people who rented gear & people who did not) & everyone’s feet were freezing regardless.
I would rent gear if you aren’t a person who knows how to tough it out/ does not go hiking often. If you don’t have the money, bring very warm clothing to make up for how cold your feet will be. Mine were numb by mile 3.
Like I said, the further you hike in the more rewarding it will be.
I would also go as early as possible. I got there as early as the shuttle would allow & the hike was tremendously more enjoyable at the beginning when there were less people.
Also, the further you hike in the less people there will be because a lot of people don’t go all the way in.
This was my favorite picture I got on the trip & had to edit people out because there are always people hiking up & down The Narrows.
Again, would highly recommend because it is just so different compared to your normal hike up a mountain!
If you have any questions, leave a comment or DM me on Instagram:Â tori_churchill
X O X O
– D O L L
Tori Churchill 