Hiking - The Narrows, Zions NP 10/4/25

Sample Itinerary:

6:00 am - Carpooling (4 hr drive)

10:00 am - arrive at Visitors Center

10:30 am -11:00 am - shuttle to Temple of Sinawava

11:00 am - 4:00 pm - Hike up Narrows and back (4-5hrs)

5:00 pm - return gear

6:00 pm - dinner

7:00 pm - 11:00 pm - drive home

Directions: Narrows, Zions NP. Park either in Springdale and take the free Zion's shuttle into the park or park in the Visitors Center and take the shuttle to the end of the route at Temple of Sinawava. (see Tips below)

Cost: $35 per car parks pass for 7 days or free with National Parks Pass; No permit needed for Bottom Up.

Activity: Hike Narrows bottom up - up to 10+ miles total, out and back, but we will just be hiking for time, so however far we get in 2 1/2 hours. Start at the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop and turn right up the river on a paved trail (Riverside Walk). It will end after one mile and you exit the trail left and begin hiking up the river. Hike past a high waterfall,110 ft Mystery Falls, to your right (exit for Mystery Canyon - may see rappelers). Continue on until you get to the Orderville confluence on the right (3miles). You can hike up this canyon for fun exploring (there is a 4 ft rock obstacle you need to climb over in the first 10 min and then a second large boulder scramble about 5 min after). After the Orderville confluence you will see Wall Street on your left. Explore down as far as you wish. This is a great turn around spot, but you can continue on to Big Springs (5 miles) if you want to swim. Water is usually ankle to waist deep and a pole is ideal for keeping balance and a dry suit is mandatory in the winter months. NPS Info Trail Info and maps 

*As with all slot canyons, be aware of flash flood conditions and dangers.

Tips:

• You will want to give yourself enough time to pick up your gear (15-30 minutes), enter the park/find parking (can take 10-30 minutes depending on crowds), and meet at the visitor center.

• The visitors center parking lot generally fills up by 9 am so using the Springdale shuttle is another option to get to the park. If you take the Springdale shuttle you will be entering the park through the pedestrian gate. The individual walk-in fee is $20/person (good for 7 days).

• If you have an annual pass, the pass will cover the passholder plus 3 accompanying adults for walk-in entrance.

• If you are driving into the park, the annual pass will cover the fee for everyone in the car.

• Loved eating at Oscar's Cafe, Springdale after

• Went during government shutdown which made parking easier and no one at the entrance booth.

Gear: drysuit overalls (depending on conditions - can rent), canyoneering boots (can rent), neoprene socks, neoprene gloves, walking stick (can rent - don't use trekking poles too weak), (NO COTTON) thin liner pants, thin liner long sleeve shirt, hiking pants, fleece jacket, rain/windproof jacket, headlamp, 1-2 L water, 4-6 snacks + packed lunch, handwarmers, first aid kit, sunscreen, sunglasses

Rentals: 

• Dry Bib package (dry bib, neoprene socks, canyoneering boots) $55/day (Zions Outfitter - close at 5 pm in winter - bibs stop at the ankle and you use neoprene socks, which does allow water on your feet); $65/day (*Zions Guru - close at 7pm in winter - *OUR PREFERENCE - the bibs that they provided had attached booties that did not allow water on our feet)

  Pick up by 10 am for both and back by 7 pm for this trip.

• Wetsuit farmer john and jacket (NO NEOPRENE SHOES OR SOCKS): $15/day (BYU Outdoors Unltd); Wetsuit farmer john only (NO NEOPRENE SHOES OR SOCKS): $8/day (UVU Adventure Center)