Narrows Overnight Gear Checklist

What shapes your gear on Narrows Overnight

Route

The top-down trip runs about 16 miles from Chamberlain's Ranch to the Temple of Sinawava. The park calls it a two-day hike. You need a ride to the trailhead and a permit that names a wilderness campsite.

From Zion National Park (NPS): Frequently Asked Questions about the Narrows - Virgin River and Zion National Park (NPS): The Narrows Regulations

Camp

There are 12 numbered campsites in the canyon, marked by yellow poles. Only sites 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12 take advance bookings, and the others go to walk-in permits. Maximum stay is one night and fires are not allowed.

From Backpackers Review, The Outbound and Zion National Park (NPS): Frequently Asked Questions about the Narrows - Virgin River

Toilets and waste

There are no toilets in the Narrows. Every permit group must carry at least one waste disposal bag per person, and toilet paper and hygiene products also go out with you.

From Zion National Park (NPS): Frequently Asked Questions about the Narrows - Virgin River and Zion National Park (NPS): The Narrows Regulations

Water

One guide suggests a filter for water below Deep Creek Junction and the campsites, and advises against filtering north of there because cattle farms sit upstream. A fall pair carried 2 liters each for both days, and the same guide says a summer trip needs about 4 liters.

From Local Adventurer

Depth and pace

A fall pair found the first day about 80 percent ankle deep and the second day mostly ankle to knee deep, with only two or three unavoidable deep spots. Another report puts several stretches waist high and swift and warns that progress is slow on large slippery rocks.

From Local Adventurer and Backpackers Review

Cold

In late fall, ice sheets formed at the river edge by mile 5 and a log jam froze over. A November pair wore dry suits. The permit desk stops issuing permits when the river runs at 120 cubic feet per second or more.

From Garage Grown Gear and The Outbound

What hikers carry on Narrows Overnight

• Dry sacks, double-bagged

  Expect the pack to sit partly under water at deep crossings. A fall pair each carried one large and one small dry sack, then put a trash bag around them because no dry sack is fully waterproof. They also found that fully waterproof packs carry weight poorly. The park lists waterproof bags among the necessary items.

  From Local Adventurer, Backpackers Review and Zion National Park (NPS): Frequently Asked Questions about the Narrows - Virgin River

• One tall, sturdy walking stick

  Several hikers say a single tall stick beats trekking poles in swift, chest-high crossings, because poles can wedge between rocks and snap. Another hiker found a fallen branch and used it on the deeper crossings. Stick rentals in Springdale are cheap. The park asks you not to cut branches.

  One hiker with two poles said they helped with balance in the rapids and survived fine.

  From Backpackers Review, The Outbound, Local Adventurer and Zion National Park (NPS): Frequently Asked Questions about the Narrows - Virgin River

• Closed shoes with ankle support, plus neoprene socks

  The river bed is rocky and the water can be cloudy. Hikers describe mesh running shoes with neoprene socks as a workable setup, and others rent canyoneering shoes for stability. Most advise against open sandals, and friends of one pair who wore water sandals kept getting rocks in them.

  From Backpackers Review, Local Adventurer and Zion National Park (NPS): Frequently Asked Questions about the Narrows - Virgin River

• Camp sandals or flip-flops

  After changing into dry clothes at camp, one hiker still had to climb back into wet shoes because both of them forgot camp footwear. She calls it a huge mistake and says any cheap pair will do.

  From Local Adventurer

• A dry suit or dry pants, but only when the water is cold

  In summer, simple synthetic shorts can be enough. In fall the shuttle outfitter told one pair to wear dry pants below 55 degrees F, though she later felt the rentals were unnecessary. In late November another pair wore dry suits through ice, and a December hiker said you must be ready to dry off and stay warm if a suit rips.

  From Backpackers Review, Local Adventurer, Garage Grown Gear and Reddit r/ZionNationalPark

• Down jacket and long underwear for camp

  It gets very cold on early mornings and after dark. A down jacket packs small and doubles as a pillow. One of the pair forgot midweight bottoms and got cold at night. Clothes for camp should be wool or synthetic so they dry.

  From Local Adventurer and Backpackers Review

• A stove and one hot meal

  With no fire allowed and cold water all day, a pair carried a small canister stove, a freeze-dried dinner and bars, and did not stop for lunches.

  From Zion National Park (NPS): Frequently Asked Questions about the Narrows - Virgin River and Local Adventurer

• A filter for the second day

  Carrying less water on your back is possible if you filter below the campsites. A winter pair filtered at a spring about eight miles in, where another river joins.

  From Local Adventurer and Garage Grown Gear

• A headlamp

  It helps when you are still setting up the tent after dark or need to leave the tent at night.

  From Local Adventurer

• Mouse-proof food storage, not a bear canister

  A route guide says bears and mosquitoes are not a big issue here and the canister can stay home, but mice trouble some campsites, so food still needs a secure container or a hang.

  From Backpackers Review and Zion National Park (NPS): The Narrows Regulations

• Earplugs

  The river is loud at night, and a light sleeper sharing camp with a snorer will notice.

  From Local Adventurer

Gear questions for Narrows Overnight