Kati and I decided that we wanted to take this challenge and took a couple of friends with us. The Narrows is the narrowest section of Zion Canyon with walls a thousand feet tall and the river just twenty to thirty feet wide in some parts. You can hike in the Narrows up a one-mile wheelchair accessible riverside walk, or by wading upstream for a few minutes. We decided to take the two-day top down approach, starting at Chamberlain Ranch and it was awe inspiring and so much fun.
A hike through The Narrows requires hiking in the Virgin River as there is no trail. The Narrows is a slot canyon prone to flash flooding so you have to be mindful of the weather when you go. We went at the end of September and it was magnificent except for an ugly coffee incident (more on that later).
There are 12 overnight camping sites within the Narrows and six are able to be booked online. The other six are first come first serve so we first got a site before making any other arrangements.
Getting your Camping site and Permit
The link to make get your permit is here.
You can only get a site 3 months in advance and they become available after the 5th of the month. Because of this, be flexible and be persistent. I stayed awake until 2AM and made our reservation and it was sold out within 15 minutes. According to the Zion website The Zion Wilderness has experienced a fifteen percent increase in the demand for Wilderness reservations and permits over the last 3 years.
As a result of the increased desire for Wilderness permits area reservations are quickly booked; almost immediately after becoming available on the 5th of each month.
The Wilderness permit system receives an extremely high volume of use on the 5th of each month and system users may find that they are unsuccessful in booking a reservation for their intended trip.
Don’t let that discourage you though. Be persistent, be flexible and if you are like me have a couple of tabs open with different dates to get a spot.
Now decide on your accommodations. There are many lodges and hotels in Springfield outside of the park. We decided to tent camp and secured a spot in the Zion Watchman campground. We wanted to immerse ourselves in the total Zion experience and our friends had not camped very much so we wanted to introduce them to the thrill of cooking over an open fire, waking up to a beautiful sunrise and going to sleep at night under the stars.
Once you get your Permit and Accommodation completed, the real fun begins.
Zion National Park is just 2.5 hours from Las Vegas, 4 hours from Salt Lake City and 6 to 7 hours from Los Angeles in the southwest corner of Utah. You can drive to the park, but during the park’s busy season (from April to November), the main canyon is accessible only by shuttle.
We flew into Las Vegas as there were many flights daily from southwest Florida and they were fairly inexpensive. You can check out flights and flight schedules from cheapest to most expensive here:

2 Comments
Submit a Comment
Related Posts
Exploring the Mile High City: Top Must-Do Activities in Denver
Discovering Denver is the perfect guide for exploring the Mile High City. From the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre to the bustling Union Station, this guide will help you uncover the best attractions Denver has to offer. With detailed descriptions and helpful maps, you’ll be able to explore the city like a local. So, grab your walking shoes and get ready to explore the best of Denver!
Beyond the Canals: Unique Experiences to Discover in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a vibrant city full of culture, history, and adventure. From the iconic canals to the world-renowned museums, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or an exciting family vacation, Amsterdam has it all. Explore the city’s unique architecture, sample the delicious local cuisine, and take in the stunning views of the city from the top of the iconic windmills. With so much to see and do, Amsterdam is the perfect destination for your next trip.
Top Activities for an Adrenaline Kick in Southern Africa
Experience the ultimate adrenaline rush in South Africa! From bungee jumping off the world’s highest bridge to cage diving with great white sharks, you’ll find thrills and adventure around every corner. Take a leap of faith and explore the wild side of South Africa with a range of extreme activities that will leave you breathless.
Howdy! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with us so I came
to look it over. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Wonderful blog and outstanding design.
Keep on working, great job!