Zion Narrows
Zion Narrows is considered a class III run, however, given it's committment, portaging and potential for wood, class IV boating skills are recommended. Incredible class III (remote) run that has a short window when the road in is driveable and the river is flowing. Bony (20 cfs?) 5-6 mile hike/drag/float through cow pastures that slowly drops into the Virgin Narrows. Deep in the gorge and about 5 hours later you hear the rumble of a clean 18'-20' fall. Easy to portage river left or scout and plug it. Shortly after there is one more good rapid amidst the mank and then the steam picks up considerably with the confluence of Deep creek. The next 2 hours the river changes its pace significantly with boulder garden rapids. Be on your toes for log jams, portages are likely. You know you are close to the take out when you see the heads of photographers suddenly disrupt the incredible scenery. Wave to the hoards as you pass and run the last rapid of the Narrows somewhere in the III /IV- range...great 5' boof river center to left. The final mile follows the footpath to the Temple of Sinawava bus stop. Take out here, leave your gear, and hop on the bus to go get your shuttle rig. The park bus will shuttle you for free back to the visitor center. Permits are required. They are free at the backcountry desk at the visitors center in the Park.
Suggested river levels for paddling this section of the Virgin River are between a bare minimum of 400cfs and a high of 1,600cfs.
River conditions sourced from USGS 09405500, the North Fork Virgin River Near Springdale
Remember only watercraft are permitted
at Zion Narrows.
Run Stats
Status | Too Low |
Class Level | III+ |
Elevation | 3,971 ft |
Run Length | 16.0 Mi |
Gradient | 87 FPM |
Streamflow Discharge | 50.9 cfs |
Gage Height | 7.4 ft |
Air Temperature | 82° |
River | Virgin River |
Reporting Streamgage |
North Fork Virgin River Near Springdale
USGS 09405500 |
Gauge | Streamflow | Stage |
---|---|---|
East Fork Virgin River Near Glendale
USGS 09404450 |
11 cfs | 10.2 ft |
Virgin River Near Hurricane
USGS 09408150 |
54 cfs | 7.3 ft |
Kanab Creek Near Kanab
USGS 09403600 |
6 cfs | 11.6 ft |
Santa Clara River Near Pine Valley
USGS 09408400 |
5 cfs | 1.3 ft |
Virgin River Ab La Verkin Creek Nr La Verkin
USGS 09406100 |
28 cfs | 10.6 ft |
Mammoth Creek Abv West Hatch Ditch
USGS 10173450 |
19 cfs | 1.2 ft |
Leeds Creek Near Leeds
USGS 09408000 |
2 cfs | 2.5 ft |
East Fork Virgin River Near Springdale
USGS 09404900 |
40 cfs | 5.2 ft |
Sevier River Near Kingston
USGS 10183500 |
16 cfs | 3.5 ft |
Coal Creek Near Cedar City
USGS 10242000 |
36 cfs | 5.0 ft |
Snotel Site | Snowpack | 24hr Change |
---|---|---|
Webster Flat
SNOTEL 853 |
3" | -2" |
Kimberly Mine
SNOTEL 557 |
23" | -2" |
Harris Flat
SNOTEL 514 |
1" | 0" |
Long Valley Jct
SNOTEL 593 |
2" | -1" |
Merchant Valley
SNOTEL 621 |
22" | -2" |
Big Flat
SNOTEL 339 |
38" | -1" |
Suu Ranch
SNOTEL 1248 |
1" | 0" |
Agua Canyon
SNOTEL 907 |
1" | 0" |
Brian Head
SNOTEL 1154 |
32" | -1" |
Midway Valley
SNOTEL 626 |
38" | -2" |
Kolob
SNOTEL 561 |
21" | -2" |
Castle Valley
SNOTEL 390 |
11" | -3" |
Campground | Campsites | Reservations | Toilets | Showers | Elevation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park | None | 5,920 ft | |||
Meadows Dispersed - Coral Pink Sand Dunes | None | 6,150 ft | |||
Point Supreme - Cedar Breaks National Monument | 30 | 10,280 ft | |||
Cedar Canyon | 18 | 8,444 ft | |||
South - Zion National Park | 180 | 3,962 ft | |||
Navajo Lake | 15 | 9,107 ft | |||
Duck Creek | 54 | 8,604 ft | |||
Te - Ah | 41 | 9,189 ft |
Ski Area | Snowpack | Air Temperature | 5 Day Forecast |
---|---|---|---|
Brian Head Resort | 32" | 46° | 0" |
River Run | Streamflow | Length | Class |
---|---|---|---|
Zion Narrows | 50.9cfs | 16.0 Mi | III+ |
NF-Zion Park-Satan's Staircase | 51.8cfs | 8.0 Mi | IV |