Hiking the Narrows – Zion National Park

Everyone told us we had to hike the Narrows in Zion National Park.  My skin doc, my dental hygienist, neighbors and more!

Quick Answers you may be looking for –

When did we go – First week of September 2024

Weather – Was sunny and warm

What shoes did we wear?  I wore keens and my husband wore tennis shoes

Did you rent any equipment?  No.

Hiking poles?  I used a wooden hiking stitck that belonged to my Mom and my husband used his old ski poles.

How high was the water?  Not high.  Mid thigh at times.  One time chest high.

Was the water cold? No

We were in Zion at the beginning of September in 2024.  The weather was beautiful and the river wasn’t high.  The thing I searched for most in preparing for our trip was, “what kind of shoes should I wear to hike the narrows?”  You can rent boots, waders and poles, but I just wore my keens.  I didn’t want to buy special gear for this one-time hike.  I brought along my Mom’s hiking stick.  My husband was gloing to wear his keens and they were so old they fell apart the day before.  So, he wore his tennis shoes.  He brought some old ski poles.

I bought a backback … well front pack and I put importmant items in baggies.  There was only one area that you were chest high in water and I just lifted my backpack up and out of the water.  My husband took our lunch and waters in a cooler backpack.  That worked out really well.  Also, I took a Yeti water bottle that I tucked in the front pocket area of my backpack so I could be hands free.  That worked out really well too.

I did buy some ankle high neoprene socks, as I heard your feet and legs could get cold, but I never wore mine.  My husband put his on because he didn’t wear socks and the tennis shoes were giving him blisters on his ankles.

How far did you go? An employee at the RV park we were staying in told us we should try and go all the way to “Wall Street” where it is very narrow.  See map below.

Were you always in the water? No.  You were in the water probably half the time.  The other half was on the side banks that were rocky. We headed out really early so the rocks on the side banks were pretty dry.  When we came back through, they were pretty muddy.

Are there bathrooms? No.  Use the bathrooms before you start the Riverside walk.

Is there any cell service in the Narrows? No

Where do I rent waders, boots and poles? Zion Outfitter

More info here – National Park Service

First the shuttle ride …

From inside Zion National Park, you will take the shuttle to the last stop – Temple of Sinawava  From there you take the mile long Riverside Walk until you get to the beginning of the Narrows.  This walk it a pretty easy walk. See photo above.

The shuttle rides can be completely full with standing room only or nice and roomy.  Since we went in September, off season, it wasn’t too bad.