Hike the Narrows (Zion) to Wall Street - HikingGuy.com (2024)

The Narrows hike is world-famous for a good reason. The dramatic scenery of thousand-foot sandstone cliffs, sometimes only twenty feet apart, is awe-inspiring and beautiful. But with all the information available, planning the hike can be intimidating. So in this simple guide, I'll cut through the fluff and make it easy for you, taking you on a "best-of" self-guided hike to the famous Wall Street section of The Narrows.

Which Narrows Hike Should I Do?

If you've been looking around for information, you might have noticed several ways to hike The Narrows. This guide outlines what I think is the best experience for first-timers: a 3-4 hour hike up to and through the Wall Street section (and back). But there are other options you should be aware of.

Planning for the Narrows Hike

The good news is that you don't need a permit to hike bottom-up to Wall Street; show up and go. But you're going to want to make sure the conditions are right to hike it, and you're going to want to make sure you're prepared.

Seasons for Hiking the Narrows

Summer

Most people visit the park and do The Narrows during the summer. Expect crowds at any time of day. The water is usually low enough to walk (relatively) easily, and the air and water temperatures are comfortable. The shaded canyon provides a welcome relief to higher summer air temperatures, which can easily be over 100F. The big risk in the summer is monsoon weather, which can produce sudden thunderstorms and flash floods in The Narrows. I'll go into detail later on how to check for this, but if you hike The Narrows in the summer, leaving in the early morning will be your best bet.

Fall

For me, the early fall is the best time to visit. The water levels are generally at their lowest, with warm temperatures, and the monsoon risk has passed. It doesn't mean that conditions can't be extreme, but typically, you have your best chances of a mellow experience. As fall progresses, the temperatures transition into winter, and it can snow in November.

Winter

Winter can be challenging in The Narrows, and I don't recommend hiking it during winter unless you have experience or are highly motivated. Snowmelt starts making the water very cold and high. Also, the Narrows can get snow and ice falling from the cliffs. You'll have to rent a dry suit and special gear to avoid hypothermia (more later).

Spring

The spring is generally the worst time to attempt The Narrows. Snowmelt is at its maximum, and the water levels are at their highest and strongest. The water is cold; you'll need some warm gear. The park generally closes The Narrows completely for periods when the water flow is too high. March and April are the worst, but by the end of spring, things start to get better.

How Wet Should I Expect to Get?

Here's how hiking The Narrows generally works. First, you start wading in the water, and then there is a mix of land and water as you hike upstream. Crowds usually bottleneck into shallow areas. The water is generally clear, so you can see how deep it is. Or it can be muddy, as in the previous picture, in which case you have to guess. Having trekking poles or a stick lets you sound the depth in front of you before you take a step.

Expect your pace to be much slower than hiking a typical trail. Walking through the water usually requires picking your step through rocks of many sizes. It takes a level of mental concentration that regular hiking does not.

The constant flow of water means that the bottom of the river is always shifting. You can use the figures below to give yourself a rough estimate of how deep the water will be, but depending on your path or the recent shifts, there can be deeper sections.

Flash Floods

Flash floods kill people in The Narrows. When it rains anywhere in the Virgin River Narrow's344-square-mile watershed, the water pours down the slick rock and eventually into The Narrows. The deluge comes in waves of higher and higher water, rushing downstream, carrying rocks, logs, and debris.. The water level in The Narrows can rise 12 feet in a matter of minutes. If there is a high risk of flash floods, you need to follow the advice of the Park Service and stay out of the area.

As the rangers say, "your safety is your responsibility," so here's what to do to stay safe.

• Keep your eyes open for thunderstorms in the distance. If you see dark clouds or hear thunder, get out of The Narrows. If it starts raining, get out of The Narrows.
• If the water goes from clear to muddy, if you hear roaring in the gorge, or if you start seeing debris floating by, turn around and get out.
• If the water starts rising while you are in the Narrows, immediatelyget to any high ground. Even getting a few feet higher can save you. Sheer cliff walls in some sections don't offer the possibility to get higher. Do your best to head downstream and find a spot.
• If you are swept into the water, try to keep your feet in front of you. Most deaths occur from blunt force trauma (probably followed by drowning).
• After a flash flood, water levels will stabilize and drop over the next 24 hours. Rangers will come up the canyon to save anyone stuck on higher ground. Stay put until a ranger arrives.

Statistically, the drive to Zion NP is much more dangerous than hiking The Narrows. So be cautious and prudent, but don't hike in fear.

Gear for Hiking the Narrows

There's a lot of hype around gear and gear rentals for hiking The Narrows. I've hiked it with specialized rental gear, and I've hiked it in trail runners with no poles. There are things you can do to make life easier, but you don't NEED to have anything fancy. Here's what I'd recommend and not recommend.

• Trail Runners or Hiking Shoes - You can rent specialized canyoneering water boots that offer ankle support from all the outfitters in nearby Springdale. I've done The Narrows with and without these. Doing the hike in my trail runners was fine; the rental boots didn't offer anything special. If you don't have trail runners, hiking shoes, or have very weak ankles, go ahead and rent the boots. Otherwise, use your regular hiking footwear. Don't get waterproof shoes for this hike; your feet will be underwater.
• Wood Stick or Trekking Poles - You can hike without a pole or stick, but it's much slower going. A pole will let you poke in front to check the depth and stabilize you as you put your weight onto the forward step. The beefy wood sticks that outfitters rent and sell are decent for beginners because they're impossible to break and dead simple. If you already have trekking poles, they'll work fine. Sometimes you can find discarded sticks at the beginning of the water portion of the hike. You can also buy them at the Visitor Center gift shop and supermarkets in Springdale. Or just find a nice stick somewhere for free.
  

  

• Plan on Getting Wet From the Waist Down When Under 70 CFS- A safe bet is to store your valuables in a Ziplock bag in a secure spot of your backpack. Use your phone for pictures and maps, keep it in a dry, floating necklace for easy access. Fitness or quick-dry clothing is your best bet at The Narrows. A backpack should keep your gear above the water in normal conditions; if it gets deeper, take the backpack off and hold it over your head.
• Neoprene Socks - When the water temperature is above 60F or so, just wear regular wicking socks (not cotton). When the water is cooler, say 50-60F, having neoprene wet sockswill keep your feet warm. They're like a surfing wetsuit for your feet. I aslo use them on normal rainy and cold hikes with my trail runners.
• No GPS / Satellite Communicator - Even the best multi-band GPS units designed to work in canyons struggle in The Narrows. Don't rely on the distance shown on your GPS or smartphone app. It will probably be wrong (but it might be close). Likewise, emergency beacons that use satellites don't work well here. Instead, use landmarks along the hike with this guide to gauge your progress.
• Water - Just because you're in water doesn't mean you can drink it. Even regular hiking water filters won't filter out the deadly cyanotoxins found in the water here. Bring at least 1L of water, and if it's very hot, 2L. Bring snacks like nuts or granola bars while you're at it.
• Emergency Gear - The best thing you can do is carry a flashlight or headlamp (ideally LED). If you get caught out after dark, having a light will let you make your way out of the canyon, which gets very dark as the sun goes low. It's also smart to bring a set of dry layers in a Ziplock bag.
• Cold Weather Gear - My "don't bother renting" exception is when it's cold out. Then you'll want your body to be as warm as possible to prevent hypothermia. If it's a colder season or the water is below 55F, I'd recommend going to an outfitter in Springdale and renting whatever they recommend. They have dry suits and bibs to keep you warm. When in doubt, play it safe and rent. There are several outfitters in Springdale, and they all offer similar packages and prices.

Getting to the Narrows Hike

The Narrows hike starts at the end of the road in Zion Canyon, at the Temple of Sinawava. In most seasons, you'll have totake a shuttle bus to start the hike. Note that there can be a line for the first shuttle bus, usually comprised of hikers heading to The Narrows and Angel's Landing. To ensure you arrive on one of the first buses, get in line 30 minutes before the first scheduled departure.

If you're driving to the trailhead (when the road is open), this is the address to use:
Temple of Sinawava, Zion Canyon Scenic Dr, Springdale, UT 84779

The Narrows Trail Maps

Landmarks on the Hike

When looking at distances in The Narrows, they are based on a straight line of walking up the river. But the reality of The Narrows is that you'll be crisscrossing the river as you make your way upstream, adding to the overall distance. So the distances here are not based on the straight line but instead on a more realistic zigzagging pattern. They can vary based on how much you zigzag or don't.

Navigation Tips

The good news is that you don't have any navigation challenges. You're just walking up along the river. You can walk as far as Big Springs (about 4.5 miles from the shuttle) without a permit. This guide will bring you up to Floating Rock, in the heart of the Wall Street section and next to a small raised area ideal for a snack and rest. Your best bet for navigation is to take the PDF map below on your phone and save this guide's screenshots to your phone. Don't rely on a GPS distance.

The Narrows is about the journey, not the destination.National Park Service

If you've had enough, just turn around. This hike is not for everyone.

Bathrooms

There are none. There are no good places to hide and go. Use the toilet before you start hiking and then do your best.

3D Map

The Narrows Hike Directions

Riverside Walk to Narrows Gateway

Narrows Gateway to Mystery Falls

Mystery Falls to Wall Street