We Hiked The Narrows in Winter: Here’s Exactly What to Expect
It’s been a long-standing dream of ours to hike The Narrows in Zion National Park. Like many before us, we were influenced by the dreamy hues of the Virgin River and the smooth sandstone cliffs that soar nearly 1,000 feet high.
You know what we weren’t excited about? The crowds. Zion National Park is Utah’s most visited national park and, in 2024, welcomed over five million visitors. While we love seeing more people exploring the outdoors, the realities of shuttle buses, expensive hotels, and throngs of hikers left us a little hesitant.
The answer? Hiking The Narrows in winter. With roughly 65% of Zion’s visitors coming between April and September, winter in Zion offers a rare chance to experience the canyon in peace and solitude.
If you’ve ever dreamed of hiking The Narrows without the crowds, winter is your window. Here’s everything we learned—what to wear, how to prepare, and what to expect when walking through one of the most iconic slot canyons in the world in the quiet stillness of Zion’s off-season.
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Is it Worth Hiking the Narrows in Winter?
Hiking The Narrows is a world-class adventure and arguably one of the most famous hikes in the USA. Yes, going in summer is amazing, but here’s why it’s worth braving the cold:
Fewer crowds: We saw a total of maybe a dozen people. While we passed a few hikers along the way, we were mostly on our own for the entire trek. The solitude amplifies the experience and makes hiking The Narrows in winter feel like discovering a secret version of Zion.
No shuttle required: From March through November (and during the winter holidays), you can’t drive onto the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which is how you access the Narrows trailhead. Instead, you have to park at the Visitor Center and wait in line for the park shuttle—sometimes for 30 minutes to an hour during peak season. In winter, you can simply drive straight to the Narrows parking area. A huge perk that makes the day feel much more flexible and relaxed.
Cheaper stays: Lodging in Springdale, the gateway town to Zion, becomes significantly more affordable outside the busy season. Many hotels offer winter discounts, making it one of the most affordable times to visit Zion National Park.
Peace and quiet: You can actually hear the Virgin River flowing instead of the constant chatter of hikers.
Better photos: If capturing beautiful images or video is part of the fun for you, winter is a dream. You won’t have to angle your shots around crowds or families in matching neon tracksuits—just pure, unobstructed beauty in soft winter light.
How Cold Is The Narrows in Winter?
Let’s get this out of the way—the water is cold. The water temperature hovers around 38–45°F, and air temperatures can range from the 30s to the 50s depending on the day and month. Snowfall does happen, especially at higher elevations, but the lower elevations typically get a light snowfall that melts quickly after.
We hiked the Narrows in mid-February when the outside temperatures were in the low 50s. There were little patches of snow, but nothing that inhibited our ability to do the hike.
Here’s a quick look at the average weather in Zion National Park in winter.
Zion National Park in December: High of 48 deg. / Low of 24 deg.
Zion National Park in January: High of 49 deg. / Low of 24 deg.
Zion National Park in February: High of 49 deg. / Low of 24 deg.
Zion National Park in March: High of 55 deg./ Low of 30 deg.
That said, with the right gear, it’s completely manageable and, dare I say, comfortable? Within a few minutes of walking through the water, we adjusted to the temperature and found the experience exhilarating instead of uncomfortable.
The suits (which are non-negotiable) will keep you completely dry and act as a barrier against the cold.
Essential Gear for Hiking The Narrows in Winter
The good news is you can rent everything you need for hiking the narrows in Springdale.
There are several outfitters in town, including one located at the entrance to the park. We first went there, but to be honest, we found the service to be lacking and opted to go with Zion Adventures instead. They were kind, helpful, and took the time to help us figure it out. I definitely recommend them!
We suggest skipping the dry bibs and going for a full dry suit. Dry bibs are overall-style waders that keep you dry from the chest down. They work well in spring and fall when air temperatures are warmer, but in winter, they can be risky. If you slip or the water levels are high, cold water can pour in, and being wet in cold weather is miserable.
We saw quite a few people in dry bibs, and many of them admitted they wished they’d rented dry suits after taking an unexpected fall. I fell twice and stayed completely dry because a dry suit keeps you sealed from the neck down. Sure, you’ll look a little like an extra from Star Trek, but you’ll stay warm, comfortable, and most importantly, DRY the entire hike.
Most gear rental packages in Springdale include everything you need, such as neoprene socks, canyoneering boots, and a hiking stick. Don’t skip any of them. The hiking stick gives you crucial balance against the river current, the neoprene socks insulate your feet and keep them warm, and the canyoneering boots offer traction and ankle protection on the slick, uneven riverbed.
The staff at Zion Adventures walked us through everything and ensured we were prepared with all the necessary items.
GEAR RENTAL: If you would like to reserve your dry bib and all the accompanying gear in advance, you can rent it online from Zion Adventures here. You’ll place a reservation and pick up your gear the day before you plan to do the hike. You can also pick it up the day you hike the Narrows, but it’s better to get it the day before so you can get an early start. The staff will have you try on everything to ensure it fits correctly, so allow 30-45 minutes for trying things on and receiving a safety brief.
What to Wear for Hiking The Narrows in Winter
No products found.The dry suit acts as a water barrier, not a source of warmth, so what you wear underneath is just as important. For us, the temperatures were in the 30s in the early morning and warmed up to the low 50s by mid-afternoon. The key is layering enough to stay warm without overheating. Here’s what worked for us:
- Merino wool or synthetic base layer: I wore a heavyweight merino wool long-sleeve shirt with a fleece-lined sherpa sweater over it, and that was plenty. You don’t want to over dress since you’ll warm up as you move against the current. The good thing about the dry suit is that its lack of breathability means it protects you from the wind. If you tend to get cold easily or the temperatures are in the 30s throughout the day, consider adding one more thin layer on top.
- Bottom layer: My husband and I wore fleece-lined sweatpants from Inno. Here’s a link for the women’s sweatpants. One layer was perfect for us, but if it’s colder, add a layer of merino wool baselayer pants.
- Beanie: I brought one just in case and didn’t end up using it, but keeping your head and ears warm will make a big difference in your comfort.
- Gloves: Rental shops sell water-resistant gloves, but we used our own winter gloves. They were great early in the morning when it was in the 30s, though not needed once the sun warmed the canyon.
- Extra clothes: Bring a full change of clothes to leave in your car—you’ll want dry, warm layers after the hike, just in case you get wet.
Pro tip: A bonus of wearing a full dry suit instead of dry bibs is that you can stash small items inside. I kept my gloves, hat, phone, and a protein bar in a little bag inside my suit. It looked a bit bulky, but it was easier than constantly digging through a backpack.
What to Pack for Hiking The Narrows in Winter
Even though hiking The Narrows in winter doesn’t require much gear, a few essentials make the experience safer and more comfortable.
- Daypack: We brought our REI Flash 18 Pack instead of buying a waterproof bag. We couldn’t justify buying something for one-time use. We packed our water bottles and a few snacks in ziplock bags to keep them dry. We knew the pack would get a little wet, but it wasn’t an issue.
- Waterproof phone case: A must. We like Pelican cases because we use waterproof phone cases a lot and want something more durable and reliable than a cheap case.
- Water and snacks: We brought enough water to stay hydrated and small snacks to keep our energy up.
- Extra ziplock bags: Useful for your car keys, wallet, and any trash you bring out.
Optional but helpful: If you want to keep gear dry because you’ll be bringing in a nice camera, consider renting or bringing a waterproof bag for your camera.
Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down: Choosing Your Route
There are two main ways to hike The Narrows — bottom-up and top-down — and the experience is completely different depending on which you choose.
The bottom-up route starts from the Temple of Sinawava and is the most popular option. You don’t need a permit, and you can turn around whenever you want. Many choose to hike four miles upriver to a section called Wall Street before heading back. This route is ideal for first-time visitors and families, especially in winter when daylight is limited.
The top-down route is a full 16-mile journey that begins outside the park at Chamberlain’s Ranch and ends at the Temple of Sinawava. It requires a permit and often an overnight stay in the canyon.
For most winter travelers, hiking The Narrows bottom-up is the perfect way to experience Zion’s most famous canyon—flexible, safe, and every bit as breathtaking. Since we did it from the bottom up, that’s what this article covers.
What It’s Like to Hike The Narrows in Winter
The hike begins at the Temple of Sinawava, where you’ll find both parking and restrooms. I highly recommend using the bathroom before you set off, as the suits are not easy to take off and there is very little privacy on the trail.
You’ll start by walking the 1-mile Riverside Walk, a paved trail that leads to the beginning of the Narrows hike.
The first few steps into the Virgin River are a shock—icy water rushes around your calves, and you brace for the sting that never quite comes. It’s cold, but not unbearable—just a strange, tingling sensation that makes you hyperaware of every step. The neoprene socks trap a thin layer of water that warms with your body heat, so your feet feel wet yet oddly comfortable.
For the most part, the water stayed at about knee level and lower the entire time. There is one very short section at the beginning where it reaches above my waist (for reference, I’m 5’2″). Since it’s in the beginning, it’s not something you can skip. It’s short, and for us it was pretty easy to get through. If you have kids, you can read my section below on hiking the Narrows in winter with kids.
The furthest you can go is to Big Springs, a 20-foot waterfall on the left-hand side of the river. It’s a little less than five miles in from the beginning of the hike (the Temple of Sinawava), so to go all the way there and back is 9.4 miles. There is no signage anywhere on the hike, and you cannot go beyond Big Springs without a permit.
We were under a bit of a time crunch, so we didn’t get all the way to Big Springs, but we did hike through all of Wall Street before turning around to head back. Do I feel like I missed out? No, not at all.
Wall Street is the most famous and visually dramatic section of The Narrows and is located about two miles upriver from the Temple of Sinawava trailhead. It’s where the canyon walls tighten considerably—sometimes narrowing to just 20–30 feet across—and rise nearly a thousand feet high.
It’s spectacular and a manageable goal for most hikers. Depending on water flow and conditions, it takes most people about two to three hours to reach Wall Street from the trailhead.
You’ll know you’ve made it to the beginning of Wall Street, when the path splits and you can continue straight through Wall Street or veer right to explore a small section of Orderville Canyon.
Most hikers turn around somewhere within Wall Street, as it marks a natural halfway point for a day hike.
When we turned around, the light had shifted, and the canyon looked entirely new. The sun was pouring in, setting the canyon walls aglow in gold and rust, the river below a ribbon of pale aquamarine. While we’re glad we didn’t schlep in our nice camera, it felt a little sacrilegious not to photograph its beauty.
If you want places to stop along the way, there are a few “beaches” on the path where you can sit on rocks and stop for a snack. Most of the beaches are before Wall Street, so you’ll want to plan accordingly.
In general, expect to spend 4–6 hours total for the round trip to Wall Street and back, depending on pace, photo stops, and water conditions.
FYI: If you look at at our timing suggestion and are are curious why it takes so long to walk a couple miles through water, rememer that the water is pushing against you and the ground is uneven the ENTIRE TIME. You are walking on slippery, bowling ball sized rocks with a current pushing against you. Luckily, the walk back is much easier since the current is going with you.
Hiking the Narrows in Winter With Kids
For families wondering whether to hike The Narrows in winter with kids, here are my honest thoughts. We were all in on doing it with our seven-year-old son—he’s adventurous and used to long hikes with us. But when it came time to try on the dry suit, he wanted nothing to do with it. The tight neck seal that keeps water out felt too restrictive, and if your child is even a little sensory-sensitive, they may react the same way.
Rather than pressure him we ended up leaving him back at the hotel with his grandfather, where they happily played video games together.
Now that I’ve done the narrows, I’m really glad we didn’t push him to come. I underestimated how challenging the hike would be. You have to balance the water currents, the uneven, slippery rocks beneath you, and the beginning section where the water reached above my waist.
The Narrows in winter is not a casual hike where you can turn off your brain and take in the surroundings. You must be aware and consistently assess where to step and how to navigate the best paths, taking into account water flow and depths.
Could he have done it? Yes. But would it have been a bit of a slog for him and us? Also, yes.
We saw a handful of small kids on the trail, ranging in age from 5 to 9. From what I observed, none of them made it very far, and I would guess at the most they went in about a mile. If you set your expectations low and don’t go in wanting to make it to Wall Street, it can be doable with kids.
I would say the ideal age for hiking the Narrows in winter with kids is around 10 and up.
If you really want to experience the Narrows with your kids, I would save it for late summertime, when you don’t have to wear all the gear and the water flow is at its lowest.
READ NEXT: A Full Guide to Exploring Zion National Park with Kids
Tips For Hiking the Narrows in Winter
Even though winter brings fewer crowds, a successful hike through The Narrows still takes some planning. Here are the most important things to know before stepping into the river:
- Get to the parking lot early. Even in winter, parking fills up quickly. We arrived at 9 AM and got the very last spot. If you arrive later, you may need to park farther down the road and walk an extra mile to the trailhead. Aim to arrive by 8:00 AM.
- You don’t have to go all the way to Big Springs. It is perfectly fine to hike as far as feels good to you and turn around.
- Use the restroom before you start. There are no bathrooms once you begin the hike. Stop at the Temple of Sinawava trailhead restroom before heading into the canyon.
- Buy an America the Beautiful pass. If you plan to visit more national parks this year, the annual pass covers Zion National Park and over 2,000 other federal recreation sites.
- Choose the dry suit, not the dry bib. Dry bibs can work in warmer months but are risky in winter. If you fall or step into deeper water, icy water can pour in. A full dry suit keeps you sealed and dry from neck to toe.
- Start early and plan your turnaround with daylight in mind. The canyon loses sunlight early, and temperatures drop fast once the shadows move in. Begin your hike in the morning and plan to turn around by early afternoon to ensure you’re out before dark.
- Don’t drink or filter the river water. The Virgin River has tested positive for harmful cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), which can cause serious illness. Avoid getting the water in your mouth and do not use a filtration system.
- Use the canyoneering stick. The wooden hiking stick that comes with most rental packages is essential. The riverbed is slick and uneven, and the stick helps with balance and stability.
- Check river conditions and flash flood warnings. The National Park Service posts daily updates on water flow, flood risk, and trail closures. While flash floods are rare in winter, they can occur after heavy rain or snowmelt.
- Expect a slower pace. Moving through cold water and navigating slippery rocks takes time. .
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Hiking The Narrows in Winter
How Long Does It Take to Hike The Narrows in Winter?
Most hikers do the bottom-up route from the Temple of Sinawava, turning around when they’re ready. We went at a brisk pace to the end of Wall Street and spent about 5 hours total—including stops for photos and snacks. To be safe, I would allot 6 hours for the experience.
Is The Narrows open in winter?
Yes! The Narrows is open year-round unless water flow exceeds 150 cubic feet per second, which occasionally happens after storms. You can check current conditions on the National Park Service website.
Can You Go to the Bathroom While Hiking The Narrows?
There are no restrooms anywhere along The Narrows, so it’s best to use the bathroom at the Temple of Sinawava trailhead before you start your hike. Once you’re in the canyon, there are very few (if any) private spots, and getting in and out of the dry suit is difficult.
If you do need to go while in the canyon, park rangers ask that you urinate directly into the Virgin River, rather than on the shore or canyon walls. This helps keep bacteria and odors from building up in the limited dry areas of the canyon and follows Leave No Trace principles for narrow waterways.
For solid waste, you must pack it out—there are no disposal options within the canyon.
Do I need a permit?
For the standard bottom-up day hike, no permit is required. Only the top-down overnight route needs one.
Can I rent gear in Zion?
Yes, absolutely. Gear rentals in Springdale make it easy. Expect to spend around $80 per person for a full cold-weather package. We rented from Zion Adventures and thought they were great!
Are there winter tours offered for the Narrows?
Yes. Zion Adventures offers guided tours for individuals aged 12 and above. We didn’t do the tour, but it’s great for anyone who wants to learn about what they’re looking at and likes the comfort of a guide. You can learn more and sign up for one here.
What’s the best month to hike The Narrows in winter?
January through early March are ideal for solitude, but February often brings the best balance of manageable cold and stable weather.
Can I bring my camera?
Yes, but use a waterproof case like this or a dry bag. The river is deeper in some spots, and slips happen often.
Is it safe to hike The Narrows in winter?
With proper gear and awareness of conditions, yes. The main risks are hypothermia and flash floods (not as common in winter), so always check the forecast and don’t underestimate the cold. Get the right gear!
What’s the water level like?
It varies day to day. In most winter conditions, the water stays between ankle and waist deep. For us it was mostly knee high and lower with one small section that went to our waist.
Hiking The Narrows in winter takes some preparation, but the reward is unmatched—quiet canyons, golden light, and Zion at its most peaceful. Happy adventures!
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