The Narrows is one of the most iconic hikes in America, and for good reason. You're walking through a slot canyon carved by the Virgin River, with canyon walls rising hundreds of feet on either side and water swirling around your ankles, your knees, or your waist depending on how far you go and how tall you are. We did it with ten kids ages 11 and under, which tells you something about the hike's accessibility and also about our collective judgment as parents.
Here's what the experience actually looks like with a family in tow.
Unlike Angel's Landing, the Narrows doesn't require a permit for the standard bottom-up route, which is what most visitors do. You just show up and hike. That said, the park does issue flash flood warnings that can close the trail, so check conditions at the visitor center before you head up. I would really not want to be trapped in that canyon with rising water levels 💀.
Zion doesn't allow private vehicles on the main canyon road during peak season, so you park at the visitor center and take the free shuttle to the end of the road. The Narrows starts at the Temple of Sinawava, which is the last shuttle stop.
We arrived at the park after 2:00 p.m. on a Tuesday and actually found parking at the visitor center without much trouble. Every other time we'd been to Zion we arrived early and fought the morning crowds. The afternoon arrival was noticeably easier. Worth keeping in mind if you have flexibility on timing. Because of the cool water on this hike, going later in the day is probably better than morning anyway.
Right outside the park there are rental shops where you can get the gear that most people use for the Narrows. The standard setup is a wooden walking stick and neoprene water boots with socks. The boots run about $30 per person and the poles are around $8 each.
We got poles, but decided to save money by using our own shoes, sandals, and water shoes for the kids instead of renting the boots. Honest verdict: the poles are genuinely worth renting. The river bottom is uneven smooth rock, some of it mossy in the shaded sections, and an extra point of contact makes a real difference. We had one kid slip and bump his head on mossy rocks in the shade and after that we became believers. Get the poles.
The water boots are more optional. Closed toed hiking sandals worked great, and just regular hiking shoes would probably be fine unless you are planning to go really far. Glad we didn’t spend the money renting shoes.
The trail starts with about a mile of paved walking path along the river. It's pretty, with canyon walls visible and the river running alongside, but it's hot and exposed in the afternoon sun. Then the pavement ends and you step into the river.
From there you're hiking in moving water on uneven rock for as far as you want to go. There's no defined endpoint for the standard route. I think there is a point at which you might need a permit, but it is a lot farther than we went.
The water depth varies constantly. Some stretches are ankle deep. Others come up to chest height on a shorter adult, which means it's over the head of a 4-year-old. We carried the youngest kids in backpacks. Our 6-year-olds walked independently through most of it, with some help through the deeper sections.
It took us about 90 minutes to cover 3/4 of a mile with the full group of kids. Once we sent the little ones back with a few adults and continued with older kids and adults only, we covered roughly double that distance in about 15 additional minutes. The pace difference is not subtle.
The further in you go, the fewer people you see. By the time we were a couple of miles in it was just us and the canyon. That's when it gets truly spectacular. The walls get more dramatic, the light changes, and the whole place feels remote. There's a split in the canyon further in where you can go left or right, both branches are worth exploring if you have time. But left is the main show.
We eventually turned around when it was getting late because the last bus back stopped running at 8:00 p.m. One member of our group pushed around one more corner while the rest of us headed out. He made it. Barely. Don't miss the last bus!
We went in with ten kids ages 11 and under and here's the honest breakdown:
Ages 4 and under: Plan to carry them through anything deeper than a foot or so. A carrier or kid backpack works. They'll have fun but they're along for the ride, not hiking independently.
Ages 5 to 7: These kids can walk independently through most of the hike and will love it, but they tire and get cold faster than you'd expect. Our younger kids were done and cold at about the 3/4-mile mark. That's still a great experience, the canyon is beautiful even that close in, but manage expectations about how far you'll get.
Ages 8 and up: Can handle most of the hike independently and will get significantly more out of it if you continue past the point where the little kids turn back.
The cold is the main limiting factor for kids, not the difficulty. Even on a warm afternoon, the water in the shaded sections is cold and stays cold. Kids lose heat faster than adults. Bring a dry layer in a waterproof bag for when they get out.
One practical note: feed the kids before you step into the river. We stopped at the transition point from trail to water to give everyone snacks and it made a noticeable difference in morale for the first stretch.
Afternoon arrival means easier parking. We got a spot at the visitor center after 2:00 p.m. with no trouble. Morning crowds at Zion are intense.
Rent the poles. The river bottom is slippery and having a third point of contact is genuinely helpful, especially in shaded sections where the rocks get mossy.
You don't have to go far to have a great experience. Even half a mile in is stunning. Don't feel like you have to push to some arbitrary endpoint. Go until you're done and turn around.
Know the last shuttle time. Buses stop running at 8:00 p.m. If you're going deep into the canyon, keep track of time. It takes longer to get out than you think, especially with kids.
There are no bathrooms. Probably obvious, but when your kid decides they have to go number 2 RIGHT NOW there aren’t any good options. Maybe bring a doggy bag?
The Narrows is one of the best hikes we've done anywhere, with or without kids. The experience of walking through that canyon with water all around you and walls towering overhead is genuinely unlike anything else. Even the youngest members of our group enjoyed the hike. At least after they got back and were warm and fed.
Get in there. Also, check out some of the other hikes in the area:
