Jeep tour below red rock cliffs near Zion National Park

The back country around St. George and Zion National Park is some of the most spectacular anywhere, but it isn’t necessarily a place you want to venture on your own.  A guided jeep tour with a trained professional offers a more relaxing experiencing and leaves you free to shoot video and photographs.  You’ll stop in scenic spots to stretch you legs and possibly even to enjoy a lunch at some scenic overlook.

Larger wildlife in the St. George and Zion National Park area consists of mule deer, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, foxes.  The mule deer are quite plentiful and near Zion you may even see a bighorn sheep, but it is not likely that you’ll catch a glimpse of a mountain lion, bobcat or other such stealthy animals.   You will see plenty of large birds in the sky with ravens, condors and even eagles soaring overhead.  On a rare occasion you may catch a glimpse of a California condor, considered to be one of the largest birds on the planet.

- Zion Narrows of Zion National Park

It may come as a surprise that the Zion Narrows is rated as the best hiking experience in Zion National Park.   This trail is promoted by web-sites and many publications as one of the top 100 hiking trails in the world.    Of course the Zion Narrows is more of a river hike than an actual trail. In some cases the Zion Narrows hike even makes the top-ten list.

What exactly is the Zion Narrows? It’s a strange name, Zion Narrows, but this is a slot canyon that has been created over many thousands of years by water that continuously flows through the upper section of Zion National Park.   Roughly twenty miles north of Zion National Park you will find Cedar Mountain that has elevations ranging over 11,000 feet.   Part of the moisture from snow and rain that accumulates on this plateau and makes it way south into a basin just above Zion National Park, where several tributaries come together to form the Virgin River.  It is this waterway that carves it’s way into the northernmost sandstone formations of Zion National Park.   The Zion Narrows slot canyon covers a distance of approximately 16 miles.

When is best time to see the Zion Narrows?
Most people hike the Zion Narrows in summer and early fall. Water flow in late winter and early spring in the Zion Narrows is high and therefore is generally not a safe time for access.  The slot canyon is deep and does not allow sunlight to reach its’ lowest recesses so you may get a little chilly, even in summer.  If you enter the Zion Narrows in early winter months you should only do so with a dry-suit or at least a good wet-suit.

How to experience the Zion Narrows? The most popular entry point for hiking the trail in Zion National Park is from the bottom of the Zion Narrows at the Temple of Sinewava.  This is found at the northernmost point of the main Zion canyon.   You will follow a one mile paved walking path that will lead you to the edge of the Virgin River.   Here the river literally fills the canyon to both edges of the canyon walls. From here on you will be walking in water as you go up the Zion Narrows. The Zion shuttle will take you to this entry point.

Hikers negotiate dry spot in the Zion Narrows

Other ways to enter the Zion Narrows are from the top which means you will walk the entire 16 miles, or to enter from a side canyon such as Orderville Canyon, which is also a lengthy walk of about 14 miles.  Orderville Canyon is mostly dry until the last few miles.   A permit is required for both of these experience.   Information on these Zion Narrows hiking routes is available by visiting the link for Shuttles.

What should I expect to see? Walking up the Zion Narrows presents the experience of having the canyon walls beginning to get closer on both sides.   Quite a bit of water actually permeates the sandstone and travels through the rock until it hits a more dense layer where the water is then forced out of the rock.   This escaping moisture will create beautiful hanging gardens of foliage.    At certain times of year, you will see water flowing down the side of the canyon walls in some places.    For the most part you will be walking in the water on smooth river rocks and each turn in the river will bring a new and very dramatic view of the narrow canyon.  Direct sunlight rarely enters the narrows but it does reflect into the canyon creating soft illuminations on the multicolored sandstone walls.

What to bring? Water is important but unless you are walking the full-length you may find that you’ll need less than expected.  Remember that you are mostly in the shadows of the canyon walls.  Bring a still camera or video camera and your usual amount of snacks or food.    It is often beneficial to have some extra warm clothing or a towel.  You can double bag your gear in zip-lock bags to protect from water.     Remember to wear comfortable and sturdy walking shoes.   You may visit this Zion Narrows information link for more details.

Check out this video that shows a canyoneering experience near Zion National Park (hiking, rappelling, etc.)  We took a group to a trail head and did some hiking to a point where we began to rappel.   We also did some do down climbing in a few spots.  We participated in nine different rappels with an expert guide.