Riverside Walk
Trailhead Riverside Walk 4,434 ft Drive there
Riverside Walk the Park Service's write-up
1-2 Hours · no dogs · season Riverside Walk is open year-round, but sections of the trail may close in winter due to icy and unsafe conditions. Check the park's <a href="https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm">current conditions</a> before your trip.
Start Riverside Walk Trailhead
The Riverside Walk is a relatively flat and paved trail in the northern end of Zion Canyon. This easy trail follows the Virgin River as the sheer sandstone walls narrow in around you. The Riverside Walk is mostly flat through the first half-mile, although paving is irregular in some sections and minor drop-offs are present.
Look for exhibits along the trail to learn about canyon carving, erosion, and the ecological richness of this area.
This trail also leads to The Narrows. If you wish to stay dry, you can turn around at the end of the paved trail.
Water and restrooms are available at the Temple of Sinawava.
Accessibility Length (one way) | 1 mi (1.6 km) Elevation | Gain: 154.2 ft (47.0 m) | Loss: 48.5 ft (14.8 m) Grade | Typical: 4.6% | Maximum: 25.9% | 17.5% of the trail is at a 8.3% or higher grade. Cross Slope | Typical: 1.7% | Maximum: 7.6% | 18% of the trail has a cross slope of 3% or higher. Tread Width | Typical: 77 in (194.9 cm) | Minimum: 50 in (127 cm) Surface | 100% of the trail is concrete. Some sections may be slippery from sand. Obstructions | Overhanging rocks 7 ft (2.1 m) long, with a minimum vertical clearance of 4 ft (1.2 m), and 48 in (121.9 cm) of remaining tread Last assessed on February 24, 2025. Obstructions less than 4 in (10.2 cm) tall, or outside the tread area of 36 in (91.4 cm) wide by 96 in (243.8 cm), high were not reported.
The Narrows the Park Service's write-up
1-8 Hours · no dogs · season The Narrows may close when the river is flowing over 140 cubic feet per second. This frequently occurs in monsoon season (late summer) and during spring runoff. Always check the weather and current conditions before beginning your hike.
Start Riverside Walk Trailhead
The Narrows is a strenuous hike that follows the Virgin River through a narrow slot canyon. After 1 mile (0.6 km) on the easy, paved Riverside Walk, head down a set of stairs and into the river. The rest of your hike will take place in the Virgin River, where the flow rate can change day by day and the streambed is rocky with unstable footing. Flash flooding and hypothermia are constant dangers. The hike requires wading, walking, and sometimes swimming in the river.
Good planning, proper equipment, and sound judgment are essential for a safe and successful hike. There is no formal destination, so remember to turn around before you feel tired so you can safely finish your hike the same way you came.
No permit is required for this day hike, but travel beyond Big Spring and up Orderville Canyon requires a Wilderness permit.
Water and restrooms are available at the Temple of Sinawava.
Accessibility The river is the trail. River rocks are slippery and uneven. Water depth is variable from ankle to chest height. The route is in shade for most of the day, even in summer.