Should You Bring the Kids on a Hike to the Zion Narrows?

Rated one of the top ten hikes on Earth, the Narrows is one of the most iconic trails in Zion National Park. I have always dreamed of hiking the Zion Narrows so as soon as my daughter was old enough (6 yo) to handle the hike on her own, I dragged her across the country, into the Southern Utah desert heat, for an adventure of a lifetime. It was an incredible experience, filled with unforgettable memories. I am glad I can finally cross this off my bucket list.

While the Narrows is certainly challenging and not necessarily family-friendly, it can still be enjoyable for families. With the right preparations, the hike can be tailored to suit any ability level. Plus kids will get a kick out of hiking in the water. So without further ado, here is everything you need to know before you attempt hiking the Zion Narrows with your kids.

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How to Get There

Located in Southwestern Utah, Zion National Park is easily accessible from Interstate 15 via Highway 9. The park is 3 hours northeast of Las Vegas and 5 hours southwest of Salt Lake City.

The Narrows is located in the Zion Canyon section of the park which is closed to private vehicles from February to November. Visitors must use the park’s free shuttle during that time. The shuttle starts at the Visitor Center and runs from early morning until late evening as often as every 7 minutes. Visitors can park at the Visitor Center but during peak touristic season, parking fills up quickly and early. It is best to hop on the Springdale shuttle and enter the park through the pedestrian entrance. The Narrows stop is at Temple of Sinawava. It is the 9th stop on the route and will take about 45 minutes depending on how many people get on/off at the other stops.

Note: As of July 1, 2020, Zion NP implemented timed shuttle tickets in response to the emergency conditions due to Covid-19. You must reserve your tickets in order to ride the shuttle.

Now, there are 2 ways to hike the Narrows: as a day hike from the bottom-up or you can hike the entire length of the Narrows from the top-down which is best done as a backpacking trip over 2 days (plus you will need to obtain a back-country permit). Since you are reading this post, I assume you are planning to do the hike with your kiddos thus will want to do it bottom-up.

What is the Narrows

The Zion Narrows trail is 9.4 miles out-and-back with the turn-around point at Big Springs. The trail is the Virgin river (literally!) and your feet will get wet. Water levels can vary from ankle deep to chest high. There are no markers so refer to the map below which highlights the main landmarks on the trail.

Starting at the Temple of Sinawava, follow Riverside Walk for one mile. This trail is paved, easy and very scenic. At the end, there are some steps that will take you down to the river. This is where you will start the Narrows. A little warning: the water is freezing cold anytime of year. It will make you uncomfortable at first but your body will eventually adjust.

Look for Mystery Falls coming up on your right 0.5 mile in. You will see water rolling down the sandstone walls from the canyon above. A lot of people turn around here and you should to if you have small kids.

Next major landmark is Wall Street 1.5 mile in. It begins just past the junction to Orderville Canyon on the right. By the way, you can take the detour up Orderville Canyon 0.5 mile to Veiled Falls. I was aiming to get to Wall Street but I slipped and fell in the water as we were taking photos a little past Grotto Alcove. No harm done but I took it as a sign to head back. It was also getting late in the day anyway and I was anxious about not missing the last shuttle. No worries though: it gives me an excuse to go back 🙂

Another 2.5 miles from the junction is Big Springs, the turnaround point of this hike. Do not go past this point without a wilderness permit.

When to visit the Zion Narrows

You can hike the Narrows year-round except during the spring runoff when snow melts. Most people come in the summertime from late June to early September. It also coincides with peak touristic season at Zion National Park. You can expect crowds on all the popular trails especially the Narrows. Temperatures in the summer months neighbor 100 degrees during the day so best to plan a hike in the early morning. Fall might be the ideal time to go. The days are clear, temperatures are mild, and the low water levels make hiking more enjoyable.

Despite the fact that I just mentioned it is best to do this hike early in the day, possibly first thing in the morning, we actually preferred going midday. I am most decidedly in the minority in this thinking but hear me out: the water is freezing cold and with many portions of the hike in the shade, you won’t have the sun rays to warm you out. I really didn’t see us enjoying the hike as much as we did had it been early in the morning. The downside is you will have to deal with a sea of human beings. Honestly it rivals the Disney crowds. Your saving grace is that the majority of people turn around within a mile in or less so the further you go, the less people you will encounter.

Always plan your visit on a clear day as the danger of flash floods are real. Check the weather forecast before you leave for the park. The NOAA also has a flash flood page which can come in handy. Do not do hike in the rain or if you hear thunder.

Familiarize yourself with the water flow rate before you go. You can do so here or at the Ranger’s Desk at the Visitor Center on our way in. Park Rangers will have the most updated information about conditions of the hike. It is safe to hike the Narrows at flow rates of 0 to 150 cfs. However I wouldn’t do it above 50 cfs if you have children in your group. The flow was in the 30s when we went in August, and the water got to my daughter’s chest at some point. The Narrows is closed at flow rates above 150 cfs, during spring snow melt (April), and when a flash flood warning is issued by the National Weather Service. Do not attempt the hike under any of those circumstances and always heed Park Rangers’ advice.

What to Bring

Since you will be in the water most of the way, you will need the right gear tailored to the season. If you come in the colder months, definitely rent a dry package from one of the many outfitters in town. A good deal at $40+ a day, it usually consists of dry pants, canyoneering boots, neoprene socks and a walking stick. In the summertime, you honestly don’t need all that gear. I got away with an old pair of running shoes (I made sure they drained easily) and my daughter wore her Keen sandals. You can add wool socks for extra comfort and warmth and they also come in kids size.

A walking stick or poles is vital to help you on the slippery rocks and keep your balance in the fast current. We rented ours from Zion Adventures Company as we stayed right across the street from the store in Springdale. A lot of people also rent from Zion Outfitter. They are conveniently located right outside the park by the Springdale shuttle stop. Even though the walking sticks come in kids size, I recommend poles for kids. My daughter got really tired of holding the wooden stick after a couple of hours.

In terms of clothing, wear anything that dries fast. You might even consider putting your kids in bathing suits. And whatever you do, avoid jeans and cotton, even cotton undies (trust me on that one!) Dress in layers and bring extra dry clothes for after the hike. In the fall/winter, you will need a long sleeved top and jacket.

If you don’t have one yet, purchase a dry bag to carry your phone, camera, wallet, keys and anything else you don’t want to get wet. You won’t regret it! I even put our lunches in there because nobody likes to eat soggy sandwiches. You can of course use ziploc bags but I don’t entirely trust them with the electronics as they can rip.

Pack plenty of water. I carried a gallon of water and my daughter had a 1.5L pouch. We also had 2 Gatorade bottles with us. We finished all our liquids at the end of the hike. Also remember you will be hiking up a river against the current. It is hard work. You will get hungry so make sure to pack extra snacks and lunch. There are several riverbanks along the way to enjoy a nice picnic.

Practical Information about the Zion Narrows

• Zion National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

• The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, and $20 per pedestrian/biker. This fee is valid for 7 days. If you are going to visit more than 2 National Parks in one year, consider buying the Interagency Annual Pass instead. It costs $80 and will give you access to all Federal fee areas.

• There is a vast array of accommodations that fit every budget. Ranging from your cheapest to the more expensive options: South and Watchman campgrounds inside the park, commercial RV sites and campgrounds, hotels and airbnbs in Springdale, luxurious glamping.

Things to Know

• The last bathrooms are at Temple of Sinawava so plan accordingly.
• Familiarize yourself with the “Leave No Trace” principles and be ready to pack out not only your trash but any solid waste (a.k.a poop)
• It will take twice as long hiking upstream on the Virgin River as you will be going against the current
• There is no “out” or other emergency exits. If you get tired, you must go back the same way you came in. Pace yourself and enjoy the magnificent views.
• Always check for trail closures and conditions, road closures and other important updates before your visit on the official national park website

Zion has so many breathtaking trails, but it is no wonder that the Narrows consistently make the top 3 must-do hikes. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience it with your kids. Let me know in the comments if you have more questions about hiking the Narrows with kids.

Thanks for reading xx

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