Hiking the Narrows with Kids: Zion National Park, Utah

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty:     Very Easy    Easy    Moderate    Hard    Very Hard                                                                (Ranges from Easy to Very Hard depending on how far you hike)

KEY FEATURES

Distance: 2 to 10 miles, out-and-back
Elevation Gain: Flat to 300 ft
Terrain: Water hiking, paved trail for first mile, rocks, shade, 
Time Needed: 1 hour to all day, depending on how far you hike
When to Go: Late spring, summer, early fall 

COST

$35 for seven day Zion National Park Pass. Check current entrance fee on Zion National Park page. 

Free if you have a 4th grader: Get your Every Kid Outdoors Pass. 

AMENITIES

• Bathrooms and water available at trailhead

• Restaurants at base of the park in Springdale, Utah

• Camping within the park near the Narrows at South and Watchman Campground

• Hotels, Airbnb’s and bed & breakfasts in Springdale and 

Note on Lodging and Campgrounds:  Campgrounds and hotels fill quickly around Zion National Park. I recommend booking your stay 6 months in advance. Other cities where lodging is available within one hour of Zion National Park: Hurricane, LaVerkin, Toquerville, St. George, Washington, Orderville, Glendale and Kanab.  

THINGS TO BRING

• Sturdy shoes that can get wet

• Clothing that can get wet

• Snacks and/or lunch

• Water

• Waterproof bag to carry valuable items, if desired
• Waterproof phone case, if desired
• Walking stick if desired for stability in water, if desired

DETAILS

Our hike with kids in The Narrows at Zion National Park was an unplanned adventure. I say this only to build your confidence that hiking The Narrows with kids can be done. If we did this unplanned, you can certainly hike The Narrows with your kids with a little planning.

Earlier in the day we had checked out the visitor’s center, hiked the Archeology Trail and gone to the museum. We decided to take the shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava which is the trailhead of the Narrows just to see what it looked like. A portion of the narrows can be viewed along a one mile paved trail via the Riverside Walk or you can venture further in by getting a little (or a lot) wet in the Virgin River.

Riverside Walk

The two mile round trip Riverside Walk is paved, ADA accessible and has educational signs alongside the trail. It provides beautiful views of the Virgin River and surrounding red rock walls. The Riverside Walk alone is worth it. We were in immediate awe when we first arrived, so we decided to walk along the Riverside Walk to continue enjoying the scenery.

Hiking The Narrows with Kids

As we came to the Virgin River at the end of the Riverside Walk, we considered our options–turn around and go back to our campsite or check out one of the most famous hikes in the world–we opted for the second choice.  

So, yes with a 9, 8, 5 and 9 month old we hiked The Narrows in our tennis shoes and a few snacks. The kids loved walking in the clear river. It re-energized our tired legs. 

I recommend hiking the narrows in sturdy water shoes or hiking shoes/tennis shoes that you can get wet. We all just hiked in our tennis shoes that we were already in from hiking earlier. Some people rent gear like water proof socks/and or shoes and walking sticks, but I do not think it is necessary to make this a good family hike. Those supplies might be more beneficial if making this a long all day hike. Like I said before this was a total unplanned hike for us and we did not have any difficulty.

Our 9 month old was in a baby hiking carrier and I held my 5 year old’s hand. The older two kids did well hiking without assistance. The water wasn’t flowing fast so I wasn’t ever worried about anyone getting washed away in the river. Most of the time the water was just high enough for wading. There were some deeper pockets here and there but the water never got past my lower thigh. Water speed and depth will vary season to season and year to year. 

The hike up the river takes a lot longer than the hike downward because you are going against the current. We hiked a lot along the rock walls because it provided a little stability for us. Some people were hiking with walking sticks due to all the uneven surfaces in the water. 

Zion National Park will shut down the narrows if the river is too high or fast or if there is a flash flood warning. However, if you ever feel uncomfortable with the water level or speed of the river you can always turn around. There are areas along the way to get out of the river to rest and dry off a bit. You can check the current conditions of the Virgin River.

We walked in the Virgin River for just over a mile before turning around making our round trip between 4 and 5 miles. You can hike up the Narrows starting from the Temple of Sinawava for up you nearly 5 miles (10 miles round-trip) until you hit Big Springs. To hike past Big Springs, you will need to obtain a permit months in advance.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need a permit to hike The Narrows?

No. You do not need a permit to hike up to 10 miles from the bottom trailhead at the Temple of Sinawava to Big Springs. This is plenty of miles for kids. If you would like to hike past Big Springs or take the 16 mile hike from the top down, you do need a permit. My guess is that most families with kids won’t need a permit.  

Do I need specialized equipment to hike The Narrows?

No. You do not have to have specialized equipment to hike The Narrows. However, it can be helpful if you are hiking several miles up The Narrows. We did not hike with any specialized equipment because it was an unplanned hike for us. 

When we hike The Narrows again, we will bring our waterproof backpack and waterproof phone case. We won’t get the specialized equipment from the local outfitter companies. 

Waterproof socks, shoes, and walking sticks can be rented from several places in Springdale. Here are a few. 

Zion Narrows Outfitting

Zion Adventures

Zion Outfitter

Do I need to ride the shuttle to hike The Narrows?

Most likely yes. Between mid February and late November, you will need to ride the shuttle from the visitors center to reach Temple of Sinawava, which is the starting point for The Narrows hike. I don’t recommend hiking The Narrows with kids in the winter time due to cold temperatures.

You may also need to ride the Springdale shuttle just to get to the Visitor’s Center depending on where you are able to find a parking lot. 

On weekends and holidays and other peak times there can be long shuttle waits (sometimes a couple hours). Plan accordingly. Avoid trying to catch the shuttle from the Visitor’s Center between 8am and noon. Get up early or hike in the afternoon. 

Check out the National Park Service Shuttle page for shuttle schedules. 

Is there toxic bacteria in the Virgin River?

Sometimes yes. Zion National Park monitors Cyanobacteria in the Virgin river and other streams within the park. Even if there is a Cyanobacteria bloom during your visit, most of the time it is only toxic if ingested. Check the National Park Service Current Conditions site to see if if this is an issue before you visit.  

PROS & CONS

PROS

• World famous scenery

• Cool in the summer months because of the shade and water

• Can adjust to your family’s wants – short or long

CONS

• Zion National Park is a heavily visited park – need shuttle tickets and book lodging well in advance. 

• Rocks can get slippery, easy to fall into the water

• Not recommended in winter with kids because of the cool water temperatures

DIRECTIONS

Zion National Park is located in southeastern Utah. The Narrows hike begins 8 miles from the park entrance along Zion Canyon Scenic Dr. During the spring, summer and fall you will need to take the park shuttle at the base of Zion National Park to access the Narrows.

During the winter months you can drive right to the trailhead in your own vehicle, however I do not recommend getting in the water at this time of year with kids due to the temperature of the water. During winter-time stay on the paved Riverwalk Trail.

MAPS 

MORE INFO

Zion National Park official site 

The Narrows official page by ZNP

Fresh of the Grid: How to Hike the Narrows with Gear you Already Own

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Other hikes within Zion National Park (minutes away)

Sand Hollow State Park (1 hour)

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park (1 hour 10 min)

Snow Canyon State Park (1 hour 20 min)

Bryce Canyon National Park (1 hour 20 min)

North Rim of the Grand Canyon (2 hour 20 min)