Conditions Right Now
Use sunset as your turnaround alarm.
Why Hike This
The trail here is the river. You walk the paved Riverside Walk for the first mile, then step into the Virgin and keep going upstream, and the canyon closes in the further you push. No permit is needed as long as you turn around at Big Spring, which is the real distinction from the top-down route. Park biologists have found toxic cyanobacteria in this water, so treat it as something to walk in and not to drink or filter.
The Trail
Wade UP the Virgin River between 1,000 ft walls. Go as far as you like - even a mile is magic. Rent canyoneering boots in Springdale.
Heat note: desert country - in summer start at dawn and carry more water than feels reasonable.
Pack Loadout (Moderate)
2 liters water, trail shoes, sun layer, snacks, small first-aid kit.
Getting There
Make it a weekend: South Campground (Zion) (Camping, 6 mi) · Watchman Campground (Camping, 6 mi) · Lava Point Campground (Camping, 8 mi) · Kolob Reservoir (Fishing, 12 mi)
More hikes nearby: Riverside Walk (Hike, 0 mi) · Angels Landing (Hike, 1 mi) · Emerald Pools (Hike, 2 mi) · Observation Point (East Mesa) (Hike, 3 mi)
Quick Answers
- How long is the The Narrows (Bottom-Up) hike?
- 9.4 miles round trip with 334 feet of elevation gain.
- How hard is The Narrows (Bottom-Up)?
- Moderate. Kid rating: 3 out of 5.
- When should I hike The Narrows (Bottom-Up)?
- Best season: Summer-early Fall.
- Why hike The Narrows (Bottom-Up)?
- Few hikes let you decide the length as you go. The park closes The Narrows when the Virgin runs above 150 cubic feet per second or when a flash flood warning is out, so check the flow before you drive up. Big Spring is as far as you can go without a permit.