Virgin River

You can observe the Virgin River from viewpoints along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, admire it from the Riverside Walk, or immerse yourself in its chilly waters in The Narrows. The paved Riverside Walk begins at the last stop on the park’s shuttle and is also the starting point for The Narrows hike. Where the Riverside Walk ends, adventurous travelers can continue off the path and walk up the riverbed, following the Virgin River upstream into a tight, twisting slot canyon.

You can also enjoy swimming and tubing in the Virgin River. Swimming is permitted within the park’s many picturesque swimming holes, while tubing is not allowed in the park but can be enjoyed downstream in the nearby town of Springdale.

• The Narrows are only accessible at certain water levels and are off limits when flash flooding is a concern—check at the visitor center for conditions.
• Shuttle stops 3 and 7 are two of the best for river access.
• The Riverside Walk is wheelchair and stroller accessible, as is the shuttle that takes you to the trailhead.
• Water shoes are recommended for hiking The Narrows and depending on the conditions you may want to rent waders or a drysuit.

Take Zion Canyon Scenic Drive to the many river access points and riverside hiking trails. The trail to The Narrows is the last stop along the route. A park shuttle runs throughout the busy season (March–November) and no private vehicles are allowed in the park when the shuttle is running. For tubing, stop at one of the outfitters along Highway 9.

During the spring, the river is often raging from snowmelt, ruling out hiking The Narrows, swimming, or tubing. For these activities, visit in the early summer. Later in the summer and fall, the water levels can get too low for tubing.

While most visitors only hike the short, bottom portion of The Narrows, to truly immerse yourself in the Virgin River canyon, start from the top of The Narrows and hike down the slot canyon into the park. The 16-mile (26-kilometer) trek is best done over two days with a night of camping along the way. It is a strenuous adventure and permits and shuttles must be arranged in advance.

Utah’s Virgin River is believed to have been translated from the Spanish “Rio de la Virgen” after the Virgin Mary. It’s not known exactly when and by whom the name was originally given, but it appears to have been attributed to Spanish explorers in the early 19th century.

The Virgin River flows from the North Fork at Cascade Falls, Utah, through northwestern Arizona to meet the Colorado River at Lake Mead, Nevada. Designated a National Wild and Scenic River, some 165 miles (266 kilometers) of the river and its tributaries are located within Zion National Park.

Yes. The most famous section of the Virgin River flows through Zion National Park, forming the spectacular natural landscapes of Zion Canyon and the renowned Narrows hiking trail. As well as hiking along the river, adventurers can enjoy kayaking, canyoning, and swimming within the park.

Yes, but it’s not known for its fishing. Fishing is allowed within Zion National Park with a license, and the best spots are along the North Fork, where you can catch native fish such as spinedace, speckled dace, flannelmouth sucker, and desert sucker. Trout and catfish have also been introduced.

Yes, you can swim along the Virgin River, and there are dedicated swimming holes within the Zion National Park. Stick to summer as the water can be extremely cold, and take extra care—this is a wild river, and swimming is at your own risk.

It depends. Hiking the Narrows on the Virgin River is best attempted in summer or early fall. Melting snowfall in spring typically brings water levels too high for that hike. However, spring is ideal for kayakers along other stretches. Wait for summer to swim—the water is notoriously cold.