The Narrows

The Narrows is a slot canyon in Zion National Park where sheer limestone walls tower overhead while the passage remains extremely narrow throughout its course. The waterway contains sections with varying widths and depths, creating distinct zones that hikers navigate as they move through.

The Virgin River carved this canyon over millions of years through continuous water erosion working through layers of sedimentary rock. This slow geological process created the towering walls and the narrow passages that characterize the place today.

Southern Paiute peoples traveled through this canyon corridor for thousands of years as a vital passage across their ancestral territories. The place remains a route that connects the same lands their communities once moved through.

Visitors must wade through river water and should bring specialized water shoes and walking sticks for safe passage. Conditions shift with seasons and weather patterns, so planning ahead helps ensure both safety and comfort during the trek.

Sections of the canyon contain large rocks called chockstones wedged between the walls, forcing swimmers to navigate around them. These natural obstacles create physically demanding and memorable moments as people move through the waterway.

Location: Washington County

Elevation above the sea: 1,433 m

Part of: Zion Canyon

GPS coordinates: 37.30669,-112.94769

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:09