The Narrows Bottom-Up
A condition-dependent river hike into Zion Canyon, with most travel directly through the Virgin River.
Route overview
Flexible out-and-back river hike through Zion's narrowest canyon.
The Narrows Bottom-Up begins after Riverside Walk and continues upstream in the Virgin River. Distance is flexible, with Orderville Canyon, Wall Street and Big Springs serving as common reference points. The physical difficulty comes from current, cold water, submerged rocks and repeated balance demands rather than elevation gain. NPS closes The Narrows when flow exceeds 150 CFS and during a National Weather Service Flash Flood Warning. Flash floods remain possible even when rain is not falling at the trailhead. Toxic cyanobacteria guidance also means hikers must not drink river water or submerge their heads.
Trail facts
- Country
- United States
- Region
- Zion National Park, Utah
- Distance
- up to 9.4 mi / 15.1 km round trip to Big Springs; shorter turnarounds are common
- Typical duration
- 4–8 hours depending on turnaround and conditions
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Elevation gain
- low net elevation gain but high effort from river travel
- Best season
- Highly condition-dependent; never rely on season alone
- Trail type
- Out and back through the Virgin River
Access and logistics
- Permits and access
- No for the normal bottom-up day hike as far as Big Springs; verify current limits
Safety context
Check current official conditions, closures, weather and access rules before departure. Check current official conditions, closures, weather and access rules before departure.
Flash floods, flow closure, cold water, cyanobacteria, slippery submerged rocks, hypothermia and delayed travel
Highlights
Virgin River narrows, Wall Street, towering canyon walls, Orderville Canyon junction
Why find a buddy
River travel benefits from close coordination, mutual balance support, shared condition checks and conservative turnaround decisions.
Primary source
Explore and prepare
Discover hikes by intent, read the hiking guides, review hiking safety, prepare a BuddyPack, or browse hiking plans.
Route conditions, access, services and transport can change. Verify time-sensitive information before departure.