Zion National Park: The Amazing and Famous Narrows Trail
Joined 2024
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 6.5 km, 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!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
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. The views from the shuttle bus are stunning!
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 1.6 km, along the Virgin River. This path is paved and nearly flat. The narrow width of the canyon keeps the ambient temperature very comfortable and cool in the summer.
Begin Hiking The Narrows
After the first "dry" section (1.6 km), we enter the beautiful Virgin River. This river trail actually goes for about 21 km but we will probably only do 2 or 3 km. It is stunningly gorgeous with steep sandstone cliffs that narrow as you go further. Eventually, it will be only 5 meters or so across and 800 meters deep!
After about 3 km, 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
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
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
* Age limit: 9 years to 80 years
* There has been a toxic algae bloom (small amounts of poison in the water) for the past 5 years. However, the toxic compounds are localized and very diluted (one ranger said a person would have to drink 200 liters to be affected).
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 or hiking shoes with sturdy soles to wade in the river.
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
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide William kim W.
Hi! My name is Kim and I've been a hiking and tour guide in southwestern Utah for over 30 years. My specialties are Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, two of the most beautiful places on Earth! I love to share my knowledge of the history, geology, flora and fauna of these areas with others. I have led groups as small as one, and as large as 50 (as a step-on guide). I know the best places to go, the easiest logistics, the most challenging/rewarding/easiest/interesting trails and viewpoints in the area. I would love to guide you and your group throughout our wonderful system of National Parks!
$800/ per group