Hiking the Narrows with Kids: What to Know, Do, and Take
Hiking the Narrows with kids might seem daunting at first glance. After all, this famous hike in Zion National Park takes place almost entirely in the Virgin River.
However, with a bit of planning and realistic expectations, you and your family can have a blast on this unusual and must-do trail in the Zion Canyon section of the park.
Below, you’ll learn everything you need to know to prepare your kids (and yourself!) for a memorable hike into the Narrows, as well as what gear to take—and what to leave home.
I’ve included practical tips from my own experiences hiking this trail with my children, so that you will have a safe, exciting experience that’s sure to be a cornerstone of your time in Zion!
My son near the start of the Narrow hike in Zion National Park
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Hiking the Narrows with Kids: An Overview
Where is the Narrows Hike in Zion National Park?
The Narrows is located the Zion Canyon section of Zion National Park.
It’s important to note that Zion National Park has 3 sections:
Zion Canyon, which includes the visitors center, scenic drive, Angel’s Landing trailhead, and the Narrows. It is accessible from Springdale, Utah.
The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, which is located in the eastern section of the park. This highway connects Kanab, Utah, to Springdale, though you won’t be able to drive into the scenic drive section of Zion Canyon.
Kolob Canyon, which is not connected to Zion Canyon or Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. This section fo the park is accessible from I-15 near Cedar City, which is about an hour’s drive from the Springdale entrance.
Going back to our discussion of the Narrows hike, you’ll find the trailhead at the end of the Riverside Walk all the way at the end of the scenic drive in the Zion Canyon section.
How long does it take to hike the Narrows?
The kids taking in the incredible beauty in the Narrows
If you did the entire Narrows hike, it’s a bit over 14 miles from the trailhead near the Temple of Sinawava to Chamberlain’s Ranch. This approach is doing the hike bottom-up, as you’re gaining around 1500 feet of elevation from the trailhead near the Temple of Sinawava to the river exit near Chamberlain’s Ranch.
However, the vast majority of hikers don’t go anywhere near that far on the trail, and those with kids are likely doing much less.
First of all, the kids and I hike at about a mile an hour, which means that a normal 14 mile hike would take us 14 hours (egads).
This is NOT a normal hike, so plan on it taking longer than you usually travel.
Secondly, if you’re not planning to go all the way to Chamberlain’s Ranch (and you’re very likely not doing so), you just turn around when you’re done. Since the expectation is that all but the most intrepid hikers are going the entire way, you’re going to be in good company whenever you decide enough is enough, and you turn around.
You’ll notice that there are A LOT of people right there at the trailhead. So many so that, at peak times, you might wonder, “How am I going to hike elbow to elbow with this many people?”
However, the hikers fall off rapidly, so that by the time you’re to the first section where you’ll need to get seriously submerged, the crowds will have fallen off by at least half (and probably more).
To get back to the original question about how long it takes to hike the Narrows with kids, it’s somewhere between 10 minutes and 14 hours, depending on your family’s specific appetite.
As with all of my suggested hikes, you’ll want to keep it fun and light; when it stops being fun and starts being a chore, turn back. Associating hiking with a fun adventure is how you turn little hikers into lifelong adventurers!
NOTE: If, you are planning to take your kids on the entire length of the Narrows, you’ll need an overnight permit to camp along the way in these campsites. These are available at the Wilderness Permit section of the Visitors Center on the Springdale side of the park. Also, note, I do not recommend doing this entire hike with kids as it is more strenuous than the average family is going to be able to do without some training and experience.
How do I get my family to the Narrows Trailhead?
The answer to that question depends on what time of year you’re visiting.
In the warmer months (April to October), the scenic drive is closed to private cars. This is to alleviate parking issues and overcrowding during the park’s busiest time.
Since you can’t drive to the trailhead, you’ll need to find another way there.
1) Take the park shuttle.
It’s free, plus it conveniently takes visitors to 9 different stops along the scenic drive from the Visitors Center (stop 1) to the Temple of Sinawava (stop 9).
You don’t need reservations; just show up and get in line.
What you do need is patience, and a lot of it as lines for the shuttle can run between 1-2 hours at peak times.
Plus, some of the buses are un-air conditioned, which makes for a hot (and stinky) ride mid-day when you’re packed in with dozens of other hikers.
2) Ride bikes.
This option has my vote! I highly recommend e-bikes as the best, easiest way to get your family to the Narrows trailhead.
With the e-bikes, you can go at your own pace, you don’t have to wait on the shuttle, and you’ll get an incredible view on the way to the trailhead.
If you don’t have e-bikes already, you can rent them via one of the outfitters in town.
We had a great experience with Greater Zion E-bikes, who offer up RadWagons; these e-bikes allow you to carry a smaller passenger in the back while stashing your backpack in the front basket.
NOTE: You can use a regular bike if you’d prefer, but the ride from the visitors center to the Narrows trailhead is mostly uphill. The ride is infinitely easier and more fun with the pedal assist on an e-bike.
3 ) Hike in.
I can’t say I’d recommend this way as the nearly 8 mile scenic road between the visitors center and the Temple of Sinawava (where you’ll find the trailhead for the Narrows) is longer than you want to do with kids, and it can be brutally hot mid-day in the spring and summer.
Plus, there’s enough elevation gain between the end of the Pa’rus Trail and the Grotto area that you’re going to be exhausted before you even start the Narrows.
Interested in a guided tour of the Narrows for your family?
Narrows Trail Guide: Step by Step
When you arrive at the Temple of Sinawava, you’re still not at the actual trailhead for the Narrows.
First, you have to traverse the Riverside Walk, a 2 mile round trip trail that ends at the trailhead for the Narrows.
A section of the Riverside Walk before the trailhead to the Narrows
The Riverside Walk can be done on its own if you’re just not up to the Narrows. Unlike the Narrows, the Riverside Walk is out of the water (like a normal trail), well marked, and easy enough for anyone in your family to do.
However, if you’re planning to hike any part of the Narrows, you’ll need to take the Riverside Walk to its end and then hop in the Virgin River to begin your Narrows experience.
At this second trailhead, you’ll find a small staging area with benches. This is a great place to pause when you’re hiking with kids, as you can adjust their footwear, repack any gear, or secure their backpacks.
If part of your family isn’t planning to do the Narrows hike, this is where they can stay until you return.
This overlook area is fenced in with a wooden barrier, which allows for great views onto the start of the Narrows but also helps contain any smaller kids who might want to stretch their legs while waiting.
The trailhead to the Narrows with the observation area to the far right
When you’re ready to start the hike, you’ll go down a small set of stairs onto a rocky beach. From here, you’ll turn to the right, and almost immediately dip your feet into the river for the first time!
Cross the Virgin River to the far bank, where you’ll be able to hike on dry ground for a couple of hundred feet.
From there, it’s back in the river again, where you’ll cross back over to the right bank which now has the higher ground.
At this point, you’ll turn a bend and be out of sight of the overlook area.
You’ll criss cross the river between the sandy/rocky beach areas as you come to them, though some hikers choose to get wet and stay wet but walking in the river the entire time.
There aren’t any trail markers or cairns here to help you determine where the trail is, so you must find your own way along and through the river.
When doing this hike with kids, stay in the calmer sections of the water. Doing so will allow your kids to keep a steady foothold which will allow them more confidence in hiking here.
About a half a mile into the hike, you’ll come to a section where the water gets deep and there is no way around it but to go through.
The water was well over my waist here, and nearly up to my 11 year old’s shoulders. It was deep enough that my 7 year old would’ve had to swim if I hadn’t carried him.
Thankfully, the water isn’t moving swiftly, so you can easily move through this deeper section once you’re ready to get more fully into the water.
After that, the trail evens out more with longer stretches of area with ankle deep water and plenty of areas where you can choose to walk on rocks or sandy beach.
You’ll see waterfalls cascading down the nearly sheer cliff faces, lush ferns growing out of the walls, and a variety of birds and insects that have made their home here.
Whenever your kids get tried and you’re ready to end the hike, simply turn around and follow the river downstream, where you’ll find the observation deck and the Riverside Walk again.
What to Bring when Hiking the Narrows with Kids
There aren’t any amenities or support options at the Narrows trailhead, so you’re going to need to come into this hike fully prepared.
PIN ME!
Here’s what you and your kids should bring in order to make your time on the river memorable and fun.
Backpack
Whether you’re doing the first 100 yards or 7 miles of the Narrows, you’re going to want to have a backpack to bring along necessities.
Yes, it is something that you’ll need to negotiate along the way so it doesn’t get wet, but this isn’t a trail that you can do without the essentials listed below—and you don’t want to just carry them the entire time.
I recommend a day pack that is on the smaller side for easy of wearing. I took my Osprey Daylight, which is 13L. It’s lightweight enough that it doesn’t weigh me down, but it’s large enough to pack what the kids and I need for a 3-5 mile hike.
It also has chest and waist straps, which can be customized to help me better support the weight as I simultaneously have to navigate the rocky bottom of this hike.
Hiking stick(s)
Hiking in the Narrows isn’t as simple as sloshing through some shallow water.
In addition to the variations of water levels, you’ll also be hiking on rocks the entire time. These river rocks are slippery, and it can be hard to keep your balance on them as the water rushes by at the same time.
Having a hiking stick or two goes a long way to helping you feel stable here. You can use the hiking stick to feel for solid ground underneath those rocks, and then use that stable point to balance as you move forward against the current.
My son had a wooden hiking stick, which he loved. He was honestly very unsure about this experience going into it, but he quickly became bolder once he realized that the heavy duty wooden stick was going to keep him balanced.
You can also use dual aluminum hiking poles if you prefer. The only downside I can see to these would be that they’re not as sturdy in helping to hold up your weight if you did slip or get unsteady in some of the swifter or deeper areas.
Towel
Even if you don’t get your clothes wet, you’ll absolutely want to dry off your feet before you head back to the shuttle stop post-hike.
Knowing my kids, I knew we would ALL be in the water in no time flat, so I made sure to pack a towel for each of us. We have these Turkish towels that we take hiking and camping, which fold down much smaller than a normal towel, but are still effective in drying us off.
Water and snacks
The Utah weather, even in the winter, can quickly dehydrate any hiker, so you’ll want to ensure that hydration is a high priority.
If you’re hiking the Narrows in the late spring or summer, you will want to take frequent breaks to provide water for your kids as the dry, hot air can quickly dehydrate you.
Unlike the dirt-based trails elsewhere in the park, the Narrows keeps you cooler since you’re in the water, and, therefore, you won’t feel so hot…which means you won’t naturally be reaching for the water as much.
Be proactive and drink at regular intervals. I like to carry a 2.5L water bladder in my bag, which is enough for my kids and I on a shorter hike. They often will also carry smaller water bottles in the outside of their backpacks, too; this is a great option for those kids who are super independent.
Waterproof case for phone
True story: we watched one teenager take her phone out, lose her grip on it, and then watch as it got caught up in the river, never to be seen again.
Losing my phone—and all of the vacation photos on it—might be the saddest possible thing for a mama who loves to document everything, so consider bringing a waterproof case for your phone.
Even better is a waterproof phone case that comes with a neck cord, so that the phone never leaves the safety of its tether.
This is the best way to keep that phone safe while ensuring you capture the incredible time you’re sure to have on the Narrows hike.
What to Wear when Hiking the Narrows with Kids
Wool shirt
I am super cheap when it comes to just about everything, but I have recently decided to add some wool pieces into my wardrobe (for more details, see my guide to women’s hiking clothes).
Since we had super limited space on our road trip on which we visited Zion, I packed ultralight, with only a few wool shirts, a wool dress, and a couple of pairs of shorts.
Those wool shirts are WELL worth their cost as I’ve worn them daily for 8 weeks, and they still look brand new, despite my daily hiking, biking, sweating, and backpacking.
Plus, they dry incredibly fast, which works perfectly for a water-based hike like the Narrows. I got soaked in my wool shirt on this hike, and, yet, my clothes were fully dry long before we got back to the shuttle stop.
Quick drying shorts
You can also get wool biker shorts if you’re committed to the fabric like I am. (And no, they’re absolutely not hot at all!)
Another alternative are loose fitting, quick dry, synthetic shorts like these. These shorts are what I wore on the hike, and they were great, drying quickly and not bunching up while I was wading in the deeper parts.
My daughter also had on similar shorts, and she also was comfortable before, during, and after the hike.
Bathing suit
My son opted to wear swim trunks for this hike, which are a great option for little boys.
I saw many other kids who were dressed in bathing suits, which is, honestly, such a good idea. Kids love to splash around, so it’s better to lean into that and put them in something you’re okay with getting wet.
I even saw some adults who were wearing swim trunks with athletic gear tops.
Sun shirt
My daughter rocking her sun shirt in the Narrows
Another great option for a top on this hike is a sun shirt.
The Narrows are in a canyon, so you’re not too likely to get sunburned, but the sun shirts ARE great for quickly drying off after you’re out of the water.
We have these long sleeved kids’ sun shirts that have been all over with us, and they’re comfortable, light weight, quick drying, and durable.
Plus, they’re reasonably priced, which is great for quickly growing kids.
Both of the kids wore these throughout our time at Zion (and in the rest of our road trip through Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and South Dakota!), and they were fantastic for the Narrows.
Hiking Sandals
While I tend to wax poetic about my beloved Keen Newport H2 hiking sandals, they really, really had their time to shine on this trip.
The thick soles protected my feet from the extremely uneven bottom of the river. The neoprene upper interior kept the shoe from rubbing on my skin, and the toggle tie allows for a custom fit.
I love that there is a heavier area on the toe box, so you don’t have to worry about stubbing your toes on the rocks.
The strap on the back of the shoe keeps the shoe snug even in the swifter parts of the river.
Finally, the shoe has plenty of cut outs, so that the water flows easily through it.
We saw plenty of people with inappropriate footwear on this hike from Crocs (with socks, no less!) to soggy tennis shoes. I’d also recommend something more substantial than a regular water shoe as the soles on those are thin enough that you’ll feel the rocks through them.
Do yourself a favor and get a hiking sandal for you and your kids. You’ll have a much, much better time!
Do I need to rent the Narrows hiking package?
When you’re in Springdale, you will see several outfitters renting out special Narrows hiking gear packages.
These packages include options like:
Neoprene socks and water booties,
Overall waders,
Dry pants,
Dry suits, and
Wooden hiking sticks.
While these packages might seem like a great idea at first glance, I’m going to tell you that you can probably skip most of this equipment and still have just as good of a time in the Narrows.
People get the neoprene socks and water booties to help them grip the rocks while hiking, but I don’t see that they’re any better than the Keen Newports recommended above or other closed-toe hiking shoe.
I’ve worn neoprene socks while cold water scuba diving, and they’re helpful if you’re always really, really cold, but they’re not ever going to make you toasty. They’re also not going to keep your feet dry, which is another common misconception.
Even the dry pants and suits aren’t infallible, and those are miserable if you do get water into them. Same for the waders, which are far more unwieldly to hike in that lightweight, quick drying clothing.
It’s a river. You’re going to get wet.
If you’re not willing to do that, trying to hike the Narrows in bib overalls or a dry suit is going to frustrate you more than it is going to help.
The only caveat to this would be if you’re going to hike the entire trail, and you’re trying to protect the skin on your feet, ankle, and shins—that’s when those dry suits are going to help. A dry suit and/or neoprene is also going to be more important in the winter than in the summer.
For a summer hike, you’re far better off wearing loose, quick dry clothes as recommended.
The only thing that I would actually recommend you renting for a family hike on the Narrows would be one of the wooden hiking sticks, as these truly do help with balance on the slick river rocks and in judging the river’s depth in places.
You can rent the wooden hiking sticks at several places in Springdale, but Zion Outfitter in Zion Village at the pedestrian entrance to the park is the most convenient.
Don’t forget a change of clothing, if possible!
You and your kids might be okay on a sunny, warm day without a change of clothes as the summer heat will dry you off quickly.
However, if you’re doing this hike in the spring or early fall, you will likely be very chilled by the time you return to the trailhead. You’ll want that change of clothes then!
There aren’t any bathrooms or areas to change at the trailhead, but you will find restrooms at the #9 shuttle stop (Temple of Sinawava).
Other Things to Consider when Hiking the Narrows
The river water is very cold!
Even if you’re hiking the Narrows in mid-summer, expect the water to be chilly.
The Virgin River hovers between 45-50 degrees F in the winter, and will rise to between 55-65 degree F in the summer.
Even though the air temperature can and will top 100 degrees, the chilly water temperatures can cause distress, especially for little kids who have more of their bodies in the water.
Watch your kids for signs of hypothermia (which can absolutely occur in these temperatures), and be prepared to exit the river quickly if necessary.
He did it! You can see how soaked my son got, despite him not trying to get in the water
For older, hardier children, and for adults, the chilly water will come as a shock. Your feet will eventually kind of go numb from the cold, so help your kids in that transition, and don’t be afraid to ease them into the hike slowly.
You will get wet.
There were several people that we met on the way to the trailhead that were under the impression that they could simply walk along the banks of the river on the Narrows hike.
This is not possible, as the river banks disappear and reappear at different intervals, forcing you into the water to get to the next high spot of land.
The only way to avoid getting wet completely is to walk around on the small rocky beach area just below the observation area at the trailhead. To go any further than this, you will need to cross the river, and there are no bridges or other way over it than to walk in the water.
The water will go up to your chest, and it will be over the heads of younger kids.
If you’re planning to go more than a half mile into the Narrows from the Riverside Walk end, you will encounter a patch of river where it narrows and deepens.
See that kid in the bright blue shirt all the way to the left? That’s my daughter heading into the deepest part of the water in the Narrows.
This area is deep enough that younger kids will not be able to walk across it, and they will need to either swim with an adult nearby or be carried.
I am 5’7” and the water in this area was well above my waist. I had to pull my backpack up on my back as high as I could to avoid it getting wet, and then carry my 7-year-old (who, in turn, hoisted his backpack on his back as high as he could).
My tall 11-year-old could walk through this section on her own, but she had to submerge herself nearly to her shoulders and carry her backpack on her head.
Just be aware of this section if you’re planning to go a mile or more into the Narrows. We saw many visitors who were unable or unwilling to submerge this much, and they turned back quickly.
Note that the water levels do rise in the summer as snow melt increases. You can check the water levels via the USGS page here.
You shouldn’t submerge your head in the Virgin River.
The reason for this is cyanobacteria in the river, which is causing a toxic algae to form in the water.
While walking in the water is fine, and shouldn’t have any health effects, getting the water in your mouth, nose, or eyes can have some complications. These complications can include upset stomach, headaches, tissue numbness, and sore throat at their mildness, while more intense cases can cause seizures, inability to speak, and vomiting.
You certainly don’t want to let that ruin your vacation, so keep your kiddos from putting the water in their mouths or on their faces as much as possible. (As long they’re not downing pints of water or putting the algae directly in their mouths, you’re probably okay with a small splash or two.)
Keep up to date on the algae bloom on the NPS website for Zion.
You absolutely need to check the weather.
Flash floods are possible even when the skies above you are sunny. These occur suddenly, and, scarily, you don’t have many options if you’re in the Narrows when it happens.
Unlike some of the other trails in this area, you won’t be able to climb to safety easily due to the slick, steep walls in the Narrows.
Ask a ranger—there’s often one posted at the trailhead to the Narrows—or at the information desk. They’ll have up to date information on the daily weather and will be able to give you an estimated risk of flash flood for the day.
There aren’t any bathrooms.
This tiny beach is as good as it’s going to get in terms of being off-trail.
While a lack of bathrooms isn’t unusual on a trail, the fact that you’re in a narrow canyon for the duration of this hike makes trail stops with kids a bit more challenging.
Unlike in a forest where you can hide behind a tree if nature calls, you’ve got few places to take a moment for yourself here. When you’re not in the water, you’re hugging a small strip of rocky beach that runs along sheer cliff faces. There’s simply nothing to duck behind.
Especially in the early stages of this hike, you’re going to be near other hikers, which makes the bathroom prospects even less appealing.
This is NOT the place that you want to be caught with a kid who desperately needs to go number 2. Encourage your kids to use the toilets at the shuttle stop at the trailhead for the Riverside Walk. This is the only actual toilet anywhere near the Narrows.
If you suspect that one of your kids might need to use the bathroom, you’ll want to bring a towel (to hold up so they can have some privacy), some toilet paper, and a bag to pack everything out in.
Final Thoughts on Hiking the Narrows with Kids
While it might seem intimidating, this hike can be kid-friendly with the right preparation and expectations.
Going first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon will help you avoid the peak crowds, meaning you’ll have more room to maneuver on and around the river as you help your child.
Also, wearing clothing and footwear that will work with you rather than against you is a game changer, and it will allow you and your family to enjoy every part of the hike.
Monitor the river carefully and keep your kids out of the most swiftly moving water.
As long as you do this, go slowly and carefully, and bring plenty of water and snacks, there’s no better way to spend a hot day in Springdale with your kids than splashing about as you hike the Narrows!
