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Zion National Park: Experience the Famous Narrows Trail
This trail is ideal for hot weather. The first part is shady in a deep canyon, the second part is in the river, and the final part is while you are still wet! This hiking experience incorporates a wonderful "dry" hike in a deep slot canyon followed by a fantastic "wet" hike in the Virgin River. We will wade in the river for up to 4 miles, depending on what you want to do! This trail is amazing: the surrounding cliffs soar upward for 400 meters and are made of red, pink and white sandstone. Wow!
Meeting Point
Zion National Park, Visitors' Center, Springdale Utah
- We will meet near the entrance of the Visitors' Center, at these coordinates: 37.200130, -112.987198 Simply copy and paste into a GPS app for the exact location
Board shuttle bus
The shuttle bus is a mandatory step. We will ride to the end of the line, at a station called "The Temple of Sinawava." The shuttles were implemented in order to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
Begin the Riverside Walk Trail
We will exit the shuttle bus at the last stop of the bus route, "The Temple of Sinawava," a beautiful, shady location, and hike up the gorgeous Riverside Trail, for one mile, along the Virgin River. This path is paved, nearly flat and very easy to follow.
Begin Hiking The Narrows
After the first "dry" mile, we enter the beautiful Virgin River. This river trail actually goes for about 13 miles but we will probably only do one or two miles. It is stunningly gorgeous with steep sandstone cliffs that narrow as you go further. Eventually, it will be only 15 feet or so across and 2,000 feet deep!
After two miles, or at a point you designate, we will turn around for the return trip to the "dry" trail.
Return to the Riverside Trail
This is the return "dry" trail to the shuttle stop. Once again it will be easy, shady, flat and level (i.e. the trail is concrete and well groomed).
Board Shuttle for the Visitors' Center
Arrive at The Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop and board, headed for the Visitors' Center
Arrive at Visitors' Center
The end of the line, and the finish of our tour!
Ending Point
Visitors' Center, Zion National Park
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Expert instruction on history, geology, plant and animal life;
Expert logistical assistance;
Expert guiding;
Expert advice on anything in the park;
Hiking snacks such as mandarin oranges, granola bars, crackers, etc.
Private guiding, i.e. no strangers allowed;
Maximum flexibility on all issues; I give you my opinions but we go with your wishes;
Pickup and drop-off in St. George, Hurricane, and Springdale
Guests are responsible for entry fee to Zion National Park - approximately $20 per person; We recommend the National Parks Pass! It is the best deal in this quadrant of the Milky Way galaxy
If water gear is desired guests are responsible for rentals - in the summer this could be $0, but in the winter this could be as much as $70
Tour Important Information
First of all, there is a toxic algae bloom in the river that has been active for 4 years. Someone's pet dog died after drinking the river water. The park service investigated the water and found toxic algae. However, in the 4 years since there have been no deaths, injuries or sicknesses, so I've resumed operations in the river. By the way, literally thousands of people hike the Narrows everyday and there has been no sign of any problems. I was the only hiking service to suspend operations, so that shows the big touring companies didn't think it was an issue, which I guess it wasn't.
Other important information:
a) The parking at Zion fills up by 7:30 a.m. so it is important to arrive at 7:00 a.m.
b) The summer in southern Utah (where Zion is located) can be very hot so an early morning start is necessary.
c) During the summer we use running shoes to wade in the river. I sometimes bring an extra pair in order to walk in dry shoes back to the shuttle stop, after the "wet" hike, though this is not necessary
d) During the cold months we will help you rent cold-water gear
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
