The Narrows
Hikers travel directly through the Virgin River between thousand-foot walls, where flow, cold water, footing, and flash floods govern every decision.
Artwork inspired by Maynard Dixon
The bottom-up Narrows begins after the paved Riverside Walk and continues in the Virgin River; there is no maintained bank trail. Distance is optional, but every step out must be retraced against current, slippery cobbles, and increasing fatigue.
Check the official flow rate, flash-flood potential, water temperature, weather throughout the watershed, and any toxic-cyanobacteria advisory. Rental footwear can improve comfort but cannot make unsafe conditions safe. Top-down travel is a separate permitted wilderness route.
- Surface
- Virgin River and cobbles
- Bottom-up
- No permit for day hiking
- Allow
- 2–6 hours
Quick guide
- Opening focus
- Wall Street narrows
- Comparison
- River travel ↔ Hanging canyon walls
Quick guide
- Check
- Read flow, flood, temperature, and water-quality notices.
- Turn early
- Budget at least as much time for the return.
- Protect gear
- Use secure dry storage, not an open daypack.
- Stay aware
- Watch water color, debris, thunder, and rising flow.
Good to know
A low local rain chance does not eliminate flood danger because storms upstream can reach the canyon later. The water is cold even on hot days, bathrooms end at the Temple of Sinawava, and the paved Riverside Walk may itself close after rockfall or flood damage.
Notice these
- Wall Street narrows
- River travel
- Hanging canyon walls