Zion National Park in Utah is full of history, culture, and unparalleled scenic beauty. It’s also home to some epic hikes for outdoor enthusiasts of every skill level. With several canyons and riverside trails to explore, there are several ways to enjoy this imposing, yet beautiful, Utah landscape.
Though there is a myriad of well-known trails—the Riverside Walk, the Canyon Overlook, and the Lower, Middle, and Upper Emerald Pools, to name a few—the Slot Canyon in the Zion Narrows is definitely the crown jewel of them all. With walls rising almost 1,000-feet tall, this epic slot canyon is definitely worth a look when visiting Zion. Like many of Utah’s famed slot canyons, Zion National Park’s is steep, narrow, and unspeakably beautiful—it also requires preparation, area knowledge, and some skill level to attempt in its entirety. To learn more about Zion’s many trails, shuttle schedule, safety warnings, and more, check out the Fall/Winter 2021 Zion Information Guide.
About Zion’s Slot Canyon
- Distance: 10-16 miles for the entire hike from top-down; though this can be customized, as it is an out-and-back hike
- Skill Level: Moderate to strenuous; the out and back hike from the bottom is appropriate for anyone over four feet tall—but the entire Narrows hike (including the canyon) requires some hiking experience and is considered challenging.
- Average Round Trip Time: Up to 8 hours
- Need To Know: Always be sure to check the water levels before attempting this hike as it is subject to flash flooding because of its proximity to the river. Information about river levels, including early spring run-offs and potential flash flooding, can be obtained at the visitor center.
- Best Time To Go: Late spring and early summer, as the water levels in the river tend to be lower. Fall is also a great time to hike here, too—provided the water levels remain low.
Zion’s Slot Canyon: Worth The Challenge?
There is a myriad of trails at Zion, so what makes the slot canyon so special? First, it’s considered one of the best canyons in Utah—often described as “epic” by seasoned hikers everywhere, it’s a narrow gorge of unspeakable beauty. However, it does require some hiking experience and advanced preparation—including proper footwear/equipment and general knowledge of the area. Hiking out and back from the bottom is a great way for novice hikers to experience the canyon via the Zion Narrows, but only those with experience should attempt to scale the entire slot canyon from top to bottom.
How To Hike The Narrows
There are a couple of ways to enjoy the Zion Narrows hike—depending on how much time visitors want to spend, and, of course, depending on skill level and hiking experience.
- Bottom Up: This is by far the easiest way to experience this amazing trail, and is considered easy to moderate (depending on the water levels). It’s an out-and-back hike, so less experienced hikers can turn back at any time. This part of the trail generally takes around two to three hours to complete and is approximately 7-8 miles round trip up the canyon and back. the trail is accessible almost all year round—however, hikers should be aware that the water levels are much higher in early spring because of runoff. The beginning of the trail is at the Temple of Sinawava—which is accessible via the Zion Canyon Shuttle. Shuttle runs March through December, no tickets are required
- Top Down: The most strenuous of the Narrows hikes into the canyon, the one-day, top-down canyon hike generally takes even the most experienced hikers about 10-14 hours to complete. A permit is also required to access the top-down hike. The best time to attempt the top-down canyon hike is May through September when the days are longest and the water levels are lowest. More experienced hikers may want to stretch this trek into an overnight trip—and it’s definitely worth it to spend the night under the stars. However, this option does require more preparation and overnight equipment. Hikers should plan on trekking for at least 8 hours a day in order to make the most of this experience, which includes the scenic Deep and Kolob Creeks.
Southern Utah is home to some spectacular slot canyons—but many consider the one at Zion National Park to be one of the best. With walls almost 1,000-feet high and only a mere 20-feet wide at its narrowest, the slot canyon at Zion Narrows is the epitome of geological marvels in the area. However, those looking to tackle this epic beauty should be prepared—though the bottom-up approach is rated easy to moderate, the entire top-down journey is considered strenuous and should only be attempted by those with experience. Whichever way visitors choose to tackle the canyon, they will most certainly witness one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the entire Beehive State.