Hiking The Narrows in Zion National Park is one of the most extraordinary canyon experiences in the American Southwest. Instead of following a traditional trail, you hike directly up the Virgin River as it winds through towering sandstone walls that close in hundreds of feet above you.

There are two main ways to experience the Narrows. Some hikers complete the famous top-down through hike, beginning high in the wilderness and traveling the entire canyon over many miles. However, the most common and accessible way to experience this landscape is the bottom-up out-and-back route starting from the Temple of Sinawava at the end of Zion Canyon. This allows hikers to venture as far into the canyon as they wish before simply turning around.

Hiking the Narrows

From the Temple of Sinawava, the paved Riverside Walk leads to the point where the trail ends and the river begins. From here, you step directly into the Virgin River and begin wading upstream between massive canyon walls.

Almost immediately the scale of the canyon becomes overwhelming. The towering sandstone cliffs rise straight up on both sides while the river twists deeper into the narrow corridor. Depending on water flow, you may spend much of the hike walking directly in the river, navigating between smooth cobbles and shallow pools.

Timing matters enormously for this hike. Many visitors attempt the Narrows during the busy summer season, but the canyon can feel incredibly crowded then. I strongly prefer hiking it in late fall, when visitation drops dramatically and the canyon’s cottonwood trees glow with beautiful fall color. You’ll likely need to rent gear because the water is cold at that time of year, but the quieter atmosphere and autumn scenery make the experience far more memorable.

A Canyon That Changed My Path

This hike holds a special place in my heart because it was one of my first real solo adventures. Experiencing the Narrows alone helped launch my fascination with slot canyons and deep sandstone corridors across the Southwest. And gave me confidence!

I have since hiked the Narrows several times—both solo and with a partner—and it remains one of the most powerful landscapes I’ve experienced. While it’s wonderful to share the hike with others, this canyon also makes an exceptional solo “awe walk.” There is something almost lagoon-like about being surrounded by such towering walls while the river flows quietly through the canyon.

Of all the Southwest canyons I’ve explored, the Virgin River flowing through the Narrows remains my personal favorite.

Don’t Miss

If you only hike part of the canyon, try to continue at least as far as the famous Wall Street section, located a little beyond the junction with Orderville Canyon. Here the canyon walls squeeze together dramatically, creating one of the most photogenic stretches of the entire route.

If time allows, Orderville Canyon itself is also worth exploring for a short distance. This narrow side canyon is even tighter than the main Narrows and offers a fun glimpse into Zion’s intricate canyon system.