Zion Narrows Private Day Hike
Zion National Park
Description
This is one of Zion National Park‘s most famous and stunning day hikes! Explore the Virgin River and the amazing canyon it carved out of Zion’s towering sandstone walls over millions of years. This hike is almost entirely in water, walking on river rocks, with new and exciting scenery around every bend.
Our tour starts with water gear rentals (included) and a NPS shuttle to the start of our hike at the Temple of Sinawava. Then our Zion Narrows Day Hike takes us up the Riverside Walk trail where we begin a half-day excursion up the river to see some of the best “narrows” sections of the North Fork of the Virgin River. Your day will be filled with the towering walls of Zion, crystal clear spring water, brilliant red sandstone and rocks polished over tens of thousands of years. Lunch and snacks are included.
Please note: this hike may not be safe during spring runoff (March-May), active monsoons (July-September), and any time there is significant rain in the forecast. The timing of runoff and monsoons varies year by year and is impossible to predict with accuracy. If the runoff or weather forecast is unsafe on the date of your hike we will reroute to a different tour, such as Angels Landing or Zion in a Day.
| Trip Type: Day Hike Tour |
Difficulty Level:
|
Solitude Level:
|
Group Size: 1-7 Guests |
| Trip Length: 4-6 Hours | Distance: 5MI / 8KM |
|
Hiking Distances: 
5 mi |
Backpack Weight: 
10-15 pounds |
|
Terrain: 
Significantly Rugged |
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓: 
Minimal |
|
Heights Exposure: 
None |
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This hike is mostly level and only requires hiking with an 8-12 pound backpack. The difficulty of this hike is the ruggedness of hiking in a river with moving water, slick river rocks, uneven terrain…etc.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking with a 10-15 pound backpack for 4-6 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing while hiking in a river with uneven, slippery, rounded river rocks and 1-2+ feet-deep, moving, cold mountain water.
SOLITUDE LEVEL 1
- Level 1: around other hikers the entire time
- Level 2: around other hikers most of the time
- Level 3: around other hikers some of the time
- Level 4: see a couple other groups during the hike
- Level 5: most likely to have the trail to ourselves
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- A professional, knowledgeable, medically trained, friendly wilderness guide.
- Canyoneering shoes, Neoprene socks, and walking cane rentals
- A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, informative, and full as you’d like, and as is possible in a day
- Trail snacks and a picnic lunch
- Use of a top of the line, technical day pack
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Hiking clothes and footwear
- Water bottles or bladder (~3 liters total capacity)
- Gratuity for your guide (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
PACKING LISTS
IMPORTANCE OF BEING PREPARED
Your safety and enjoyment will depend on your level of preparedness. It is your responsibility to arrive with the items listed below. Our Gear Guide is a resource to find more information about these items and links to online options. If you have additional questions about what to pack, please ask your guide during the pre-trip contact (~7 days prior to the trip start date) or call our Adventure Consultants 7 days a week at 928-223-HIKE (4453).
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING
The following items are required for your trip unless otherwise noted. When packing, think layered clothing systems that work together and can be easily added or removed.
(GG) = Gear Guide: see for more info and links to product options
- Hiking Boots/Shoes – mid-weight, lug-soled, waterproof, and ideally well broken in (Boots GG – Shoes GG)
(Note: buy your boots/shoes 1/2 size to 1 size larger than your street shoes to allow for feet swelling and thicker socks) - Hiking Socks – Hiking specific padded socks, no cotton please! (Socks GG)
- Cotton T-shirt – short or long sleeve cotton t-shirt.
(Note: Cotton retains moisture and helps to cool the body down in hot, arid desert environments. Cotton shirts are critical garments in terms of safety and comfort in the desert.) - Hiking Shirt – 1 non-cotton, breathable long sleeve shirt (Shirts GG – Sun Hoodies GG)
(Note: long sleeve shirts provide better sun protection) - Warm Top – mid-weight sweater or pullover of wicking material – merino wool, fleece or polypropylene (Mid Layers GG)
- Hiking Pants or Shorts – nylon pants or shorts, zip-offs or leggings (Pants GG – Shorts GG)
- Rain Gear – waterproof jacket, breathable fabric such as Gore-Tex® or coated nylon (Rain Jackets GG)
- Sun Hat – wide brimmed hat or baseball cap/bandana combo (Sun Hats GG)
- Hydration System – 3+ liters capacity, either water bottles or bladder/hose system and an additional water bottle (Hydration Bladders GG)
(Note: We recommend always having a bottle with 1 liter of capacity as a back-up in case of a hydration system failure) - Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Lip Balm
- Support Braces – consider bringing any joint braces that may be currently needed or from past injuries (i.e. knee, ankle, elbow, etc…)
- Money – for consideration of tipping your guide
(Note: industry tipping recommendation is 10-20% of the trip cost based on your level of satisfaction)
ADDITIONAL CLOTHING (OCTOBER TO APRIL)
- Mid Layer Insulating Jacket – down-fill or synthetic-fill insulated “puffy” jacket or warm, heavy weight fleece jacket (Mid Layers GG)
- Warm Hat & Gloves – lightweight beanie and light-to-mid weight fleece or wool gloves (GG)
- Rain Pants – waterproof pants, breathable fabric such as Gore-Tex® or coated nylon. Look for side zippers that will allow you to pull them over your boots. (Rain Pants GG)
DO NOT Bring
- Firearms and Weapons – per our terms and conditions no firearms or other weapons are permitted, including knives with blades longer than 4 inches
- Illegal Drugs – including marijuana, which is illegal on federal lands and in national parks
- Pets of any kind
MEETING POINT
You will rendezvous with your guide at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center (park in the Visitor Center parking lot). After walking to the Zion Outfitter to rent gear appropriate to hike in the cold water of the Narrows, we will board a shuttle bus for the 40 minute drive to the trailhead. Your guide will contact you approximately 7 days before your hike to coordinate this rendezvous and answer any questions you have.
CHECK THE WEATHER FORECAST FOR YOUR HIKE
We recommend using NOAA’s website (www.weather.gov) for the most accurate 5-day weather forecasts. See greater Zion area forecast.
PACK WEIGHT AND CONTENTS
You will be hiking with a light day pack that we provide. You’re also welcome to bring your own. The contents will be what you need for the day – rain gear, an extra layer or two, snacks, water, sunscreen…etc.
ESTIMATED PACK WEIGHT: 10-15 POUNDS
TRAINING TIPS
The better shape you’re in the more fun you’ll have! We recommend very strongly that you train for your hike.
TRAINING BY HIKING
If you have access to hiking trails in hilly or mountainous terrain, this is the ideal way to train. If not, we recommend using the Stairmaster machine (with rotating stairs like an escalator) or actually training on stairs. Nothing prepares you for a trip better than the activity itself!
Train at least 3 days a week. Start with short hikes or workouts (1-hour in length) with a light daypack. From week to week build the length and intensity of your hikes/workouts and gradually increase your pack weight until you’re comfortably able to hike 6-8 hours a day carrying the weight you’ll have on your trip. Also be sure to use the boots you’ll have on your trip to break them in.
PRE-TRIP CONTACT
Your guide will reach out approximately one week before your hike by phone or email to answer any last minute questions you have and coordinate your pick-up logistics. If you need anything before then, we’re here 7 days a week at 800-715-HIKE (4453).
Thank You! The Wildland Trekking Company is dedicated to delivering an exceptional travel experience that exceeds your every expectation. We believe travel and adventure are two of life’s great joys and take seriously our role in helping you create a trip of lasting memories. In addition to our role as your travel partner and outfitter we are dedicated to the promotion of stewardship and conservation in the regions we visit. One of our commitments is to use Wildland as a tool toward long-term sustainability of the Earth’s environment and its communities. If there is anything we can do to further inform or help you prepare for your upcoming adventure please do not hesitate to contact us. Thanks for the opportunity to serve you and we look forward to seeing you soon!
800-715-HIKE (4453)
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!