Zion National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the United States; with dramatic red rock cliffs and sandstone canyons it’s no surprise that Utah’s first national park attracts millions of visitors every year. After my first visit 12 years ago I too fell under Zion’s spell and to this day it remains one of my favorite national parks. Hiking the Narrows was my favorite experience from that July trip over a decade ago and when I was invited to visit Zion for a winter trip with Travel Mindset as a part of #InstameetStGeorge I was beyond excited. Even as someone who had hiked the Narrows before I was curious to see how hiking the Narrows in the winter compared to my previous summertime experience.
I traveled to Zion National Park as part of a campaign with Travel Mindset and Visit St. George. As always, all opinions are my own. The Casual Travelist contains affiliate links, when you make a purchase or book a hotel through these links the Casual Travelist receives a small commission that helps support this site at no additional cost to you.
What to Wear to Hike the Narrows
With air temperatures around 50 degrees and water temperature a brisk 38 degrees layering is key to staying comfortable during your Narrows hike. In addition to special gear (more on that in a minute) I wore fleece leggings, a long sleeved running shirt and a thin down jacket. I also had a hat and fleece gloves, so if you’re cold-natured like me make sure you come prepared.
Gear for Hiking the Narrows
Being that the hike is in cold water staying warm and dry is extremely important your first stop of the day should be at Zion Adventure Company in Springdale to get properly geared up. We went with the Full Drysuit Package, which for $55 included a Gortex drysuit, neoprene socks, special canyon shoes and a hiking stick. There was also a quick video with instructions for putting on your gear as well as tips for your time in the Narrows. Zion Adventure Company also stocks dry bags, camera/phone bags, clothing (you can rent fleece layers if what you have on isn’t warm enough), and snacks, basically anything you need for your adventures in Zion National Park.
How to Get to the Narrows Trailhead
After you enter Zion National Park you should park at Zion Canyon Visitor Center. From the Visitor Center take the park shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava (stop 9), which will take about 40 minutes. On the day I visited shuttles started running at 7am and the last shuttle departed the Temple of Sinawava at 6:45pm, be sure to check the website for Zion National Park for the most up to date information for the day of your visit. From the shuttle drop off point there is an easy 20 minute stroll down the Riverside Walk, which is paved and fairly flat, to get to the Gateway of the Narrows. We were advised to partially gear up at the shuttle stop then complete dressing out right before we got in the water to avoid overheating on the Riverside Walk.
Hiking the Narrows
There are two options for hiking the Narrows, the Bottom Up Day Hike (an out and back hike that our group did), or the Top-Down Thru-Hike which requires a special permit and will take at least 12 hours. For the Bottom-Up Day Hike once you pass the Gateway of the Narrows 95% of the hike will be in the Virgin River. Now as someone who hates having cold, wet feet I was concerned at how I was going to fare over the next 4 hours of hiking but those fears were largely unfounded as the neoprene socks did a great job of keeping my feet warm (like diving booties your feet will get wet) and from the ankles up the drysuit kept me dry and downright toasty. The water got as deep as mid-thigh on me ( compared to waist high during my summer trip) and the drysuit did a fantastic job of keeping me well, dry. The hiking stick was also extremely helpful while navigating the uneven and sometimes slippery riverbed.
Navigating the canyon is fairly easy to do on a self guided hike, with the exception of a fork at the beginning of Wall Street (a dramatic slot canyon that is only 22 feet wide with walls reaching a height of 1,500 feet) there is really only one way to go. At the fork you will keep left to continue to Wall Street toward Big Springs, a right will take you through Orderville Canyon toward Veiled Falls.
I hiked up to the start of Wall Street and it took me about 2 hours going at a leisurely pace and stopping to take plenty of pictures along the way as well as a quick snack break. The sheer sandstone walls provided a dramatic contrast against the blue-gray Virgin River and was just as beautiful as I remembered.
So how does hiking the Narrows in the winter compare to hiking in the summer? Much to my surprise I actually preferred my hike in February over my hike in July largely due to the lack of crowds. Come summer both the crowds and temperatures soar. Zion has become one of the most visited national parks and logged in over 500,000 visitors for July 2017 with many of them looking to hike part of the Narrows. Conversely Zion only saw about 100,000 visitors for January 2018, making winter a prime time to visit without the crowds. In addition to our group of 30 I only saw about 20 other people hiking the Narrows for our visit during Presidents’ Day Weekend. That means our group had one of the most famous hikes in one of the most popular national parks largely to ourselves. I’ve also been lucky to be able to hike the Narrows both times I’ve visited, though I’ve heard from a few friends who have visited in the late spring and summer who were unable to hike as the canyon was closed due to dangerously high water levels from snow melt or the threat of flash flooding.
Other Tips
If you will primarily be focusing on Zion National Park during your trip staying in Springdale is your best bet, fuel up for your adventures at Deep Creek Coffee Co. or unwind at Oscar’s Cafe at the end of the day. If you are exploring some of the stunning state parks like Snow Canyon State Park or Red Cliffs Desert Reserve then it’s best to base yourself in St. George and make sure to grab breakfast at the Bear Paw Cafe.
Where to Stay Near Zion National Park
Hotels Near Zion National Park
Search for Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals near Zion National Park
Planning a winter trip to to Zion National Park? Pin this post for later!
Andi says
My hubby and I definitely want to do this. We’ve been to Zion a few times and haven’t had any luck, we hope next year happens!
Brianna says
Perhaps try a cooler time of year? 😉
Ioanna says
What a beautiful place! I also like hiking during the off-season – I went to solo hike on Crete in January and Catalonia in February. No crowds, a bit more challenging at times but the same stunning beauty.
I’ve never been to Zion but it is very high on my dream hiking destinations!
Happy travels 🙂
Ioanna
Brianna says
I bet Crete has some amazing hiking!
Leigh says
I loved your photos, and I agree, winter is the way to go for Zion! But maybe we should keep that to ourselves?!
Brianna says
Too late lol.
Jonathan Greenwood says
I loved the photos and getting to Utah is definitely on our list!
Brianna says
Thank you so much, Utah is gorgeous!
Marc says
I don’t get out west as often as I’d like. When my sister lived in New Mexico, I got to do some exploring there. My wife and I plan on hiking the Paria Canyon sometime in the next few years. Enjoyed your pictures and info. Zion is beautiful.
Brianna says
I too would like to get out west more often.
Brooke says
Have always wanted to do this! Looks absolutely stunning-and what an adventure. I still have yet to make it to Zion (U.S is so damn giant and I end up leaving abroad everytime I have vacation) but am determined to do my dream road trip through Natl parks when I finally move back to U.S. great photos too!
Brianna says
Zion is definitely one of the best adventures you can do in the US!
Tamara Elliott says
Holy smokes you’re brave getting in that water when it was so cold! I had no idea winter hiking was even a thing until I went to Utah this winter, but I can totally see the appeal- gorgeous landscapes without the crowds!
Brianna says
THe right gear makes all the difference, I was downright toasty!
Kristin L. says
Such great photos and what a fun, gorgeous day! I want to hike the Narrows again and again and again—maybe spring, summer and fall, just for comparison’s sake?
Brianna says
We should go back a few more times; you know, just to make sure we’ve researched Zion thoroughly.
Jody Robbins says
I think more people should hit the National Parks in winter. Less crowded and you didn’t even have snow. Seems totally do-able. I’d love to get into those Narrows someday.
Brianna says
Seriously, the lack of crowds was the best!
Kavita Favelle says
What an incredible experience, and not a side of Zion National Park that I’d ever come across before. I remember visiting on a long-ago family holiday in the 1980s but we were there in the summer and visited the iconic sweeping red rockfaces that are so well known. I had no idea one could hike through and in actual rivers, that’s not a form of hiking I was even aware of! Looks amazing.
Brianna says
It really is such a unique and iconic hike!
Shweta says
Loved your photos. And I am with you on doing a scenic hike minus the crowds. Though I dont think I would be able to tolerate the cold water.
Brianna says
I was worried about the cold water but the dry suit kept me toasty!
Punita Malhotra says
Wow! I am fascinated by the Zion National Park and its unusual rock formations. It would be an other-worldly experience hiking through this area. The Full Drysuit Package seems like a perfect recommendation. I would like to stay dry.
Brianna says
Zion is one of my favorite places in the US!
Indrani says
What a grand place ! I love those patterned rocks.
Winters will have no crowds around but I am not sure if I can brave the cold water.
Hiking through rivers sounds so exciting, may be I can attempt in some summer.
Brianna says
If you go in the summer you will share the canyon with hundreds of your new best friends 😉
Denise & Ryne says
We didn’t even know you could hike in Zion in winter! Just means we have to come back and hike a few more trails 🙂 do you like summer or winter better?
Justin says
Great article!! I recognize a lot of those spots on the hike 😉 Awesome getting to meet you and hope more adventures to come.
Brianna says
Great meeting you as well! Hopefully we get to adventure together again soon!
Renata Green says
When I read the word ‘Canyon’ I thought, oh dear, this will not be for me, I’m pretty afraid of heights. But then I saw that you are actually hiking in the creeks – that looks great – I would love to do that!
Brianna says
It shows you a different side of the canyon that you normally don’t see.
Roxanna says
Wow, this looks so cool! I really really want to do this. We were in the area last month, and opted for Death Valley as opposed to Zion, since the weather was so nice there at the time. I don’t believe in regret, and I am glad we experience DV. But, your photos really convey the essence of an awesome experience. This is the one next trip to the west. Thanks!
Hannah says
Hiking the Narrows looks like an incredible experience! I’d love to try it out at any time of year! The landscape looks stunning! As I’m based in the UK, unfortunately, it will be a while before I’m able to visit but it’s definitely on my bucket list. Thanks for the great guide!
Megan says
Zion is just so beautiful. I love how it has just about everything: rock formations, water, great hikes. My brother did the narrows years ago and said it was tricky but so awesome! Hopefully we’ll get to visit there!
Krista says
This look like a gorgeous area to go on a hike! I would love to spend a few days here.
Tiffany Smith says
This sounds like the time of year I should go! I am not a big fan of crowds but really want to go to Zion. Are most trails open in Feb?
Brianna says
yes but that is definitely dictated by the weather. Be sure to check trail conditions before you head out for the day.
Amanda says
Literally had never heard of people hiking it during the winter but this is a great guide!
Rachel says
Zion looks incredible! On the US National Parks bucketlist for sure, great to see it can be visited at any time of year!
Francesca says
It would be so cool to hike the Narrows in the wintertime but it would also be so cold! I love Zion a ton and would love to see it covered in snow!
TTBD says
Holy smokes you’re brave getting in that water when it was so cold! I had no idea winter hiking was even a thing until I went to Utah this winter, but I can totally see the appeal- gorgeous landscapes without the crowds!
Bryson Fico says
Great photographs! Fewer crowds and a dry suit make the narrows hike possible – can’t wait to see the Narrows.
Malta Treveler says
Southern Utah is full of outdoor activities with sunshine year-round. Historically this area has been rich in agriculture and now has the added benefits of great hotels and vacation rentals, excellent restaurants for all types of dining, and a wide array of annual events. I think it`s worth to visit. Really great!
Đá hoa cương Lê Thắng says
I hiked up to the start of Wall Street and it took me about 2 hours going at a leisurely pace and stopping to take plenty of pictures along the way as well as a quick snack break.