The Narrows (bottom-up)
Also known as: Zion Narrows
The Virgin River Narrows - a 300 m deep slot canyon barely 6 m wide in places
The route
The line through Zion NP, Utah, United States - waypoints, elevation and the day-by-day shape of the walk.
Season & conditions
Late spring-early fall (flow/temperature dependent)
FLASH FLOODS are the lethal danger - check the daily flash-flood potential; cold water year-round
Bottom-up needs no permit but is closed when flows are high or flash-flood risk is elevated. Confirm.
On the trail
River cobbles, deep pools, towering slot-canyon walls
River walking in the Virgin River, often thigh-deep or deeper; no technical climbing
Follow the river corridor upstream; bottom-up needs no route-finding
Suitable for reasonably fit hikers; not wheelchair accessible - confirm specifics
Very popular; busy near the entrance, thinning upstream
Turn around anywhere; Orderville Canyon junction and Wall Street are common goals
Getting there & staying
Zion shuttle to Temple of Sinawava (last stop), then the Riverside Walk to the river
Out-and-back/loop - no shuttle needed
Day route - none needed
Neoprene socks, canyoneering/river boots and a walking stick (rentable in Springdale); drybag; check the flood forecast
Services in Springdale; limited or none on the trail
Not required; self-guided
Permits & safety
Bottom-up (from the Temple of Sinawava) needs NO permit; top-down through-hikes and overnights require a wilderness permit (~US$20 + per-person fees). Confirm.
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Flash floods, cold-water immersion/hypothermia, slick footing, high flows
Retrace the route to exit; dial local emergency services; carry a means of calling for help where remote
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand trail report. Coordinates are approximate.