The Narrows Overnight Permit
Zion National Park · Utah
Overnight camping in the Virgin River Narrows. 12 designated campsites along the route.
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Narrows Overnight reservation dates
- route distance, point to point
- 16mi
- elevation gain
- 400ft
- max group size
- 12people
How to get a Narrows Overnight permit
As of September 2026, Narrows Overnight in Zion National Park, Utah requires a permit issued via reservation. Narrows Overnight is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Narrows Overnight permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The Narrows Overnight route covers 16 miles with 400 feet of elevation gain, rated strenuous.
- Type
- Overnight
- Location
- UT
Step 1: Create a National Park Service account
Sign up at National Park Service if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
More on Narrows Overnight: Live availability activityWhen Narrows Overnight permits open upThe Narrows Overnight permit itinerary
The Narrows Overnight hike
- Distance
- 16 miles
- Elevation Gain
- 400 ft
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 1-2 nights
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Elevation Range
- 4,411 - 5,840 ft
Narrows Overnight elevation profile
Chamberlain's Ranch to Temple of Sinawava1,829 ft of descent · 0.5% average grade
Chamberlain's Ranch
Northern starting point on private land. Shuttle required.
- Mile
- 0.0
- Elevation
- 5,840 ft
- From start
- +0 ft
3.0 mi to River Entry
Northern starting point on private land. Shuttle required.
Road ends and river hiking begins.
12-foot waterfall. Bypass trail on south bank.
Upper canyon campsites with more solitude.
Major tributary doubles river volume.
Hanging gardens mark day-hiker turnaround point.
The narrowest section. Walls 1,000 feet high, 20 feet apart.
Lower canyon sites near Wall Street.
Beautiful side canyon entrance.
Shuttle stop endpoint.
Camp in the heart of Zion's most famous slot canyon, where the Virgin River has carved a corridor so deep that thousand-foot walls block the sun.
About this permit
The Narrows Overnight permit allows camping at one of 12 designated riverside sites along the Virgin River's North Fork. This transforms the famous top-down hike into a two-day wilderness experience, giving you time to explore side canyons and photograph the slot in changing light.
All overnight trips must start from Chamberlain's Ranch (north) and exit at Temple of Sinawava (south). Same-day permits are rarely available; plan to reserve months ahead for peak season.
The route
From Chamberlain's Ranch, the first 3 miles follow a sandy road before dropping into the riverbed. The canyon walls grow steadily higher as you pass North Fork Falls (bypass on the left) and approach Deep Creek confluence at mile 9.
The 12 designated campsites are spread between miles 6 and 13. Sites 1-6 offer more solitude in the upper canyon, while sites 8-12 are positioned in the famous narrow sections. Wall Street, with its towering thousand-foot walls just 20 feet apart, lies between sites 10 and 11.
The final push past Orderville Canyon and along the Riverside Walk completes the 16-mile journey at Temple of Sinawava.
Why it matters
The Narrows Overnight transforms an already iconic hike into a complete wilderness immersion. While day hikers turn back at Big Springs, overnight permit holders venture into the most remote and spectacular upper sections of the canyon. You'll fall asleep to the sound of moving water and wake up to walls glowing orange in the first light.
The feeling
There's something surreal about making camp in the bottom of a slot canyon. The river flows past your feet while walls taller than skyscrapers rise on both sides. At night, you see only a narrow ribbon of stars directly overhead. Dawn arrives late here. The canyon holds the darkness until sunlight finally crests the rim and the walls ignite in color. By the time day hikers appear, you've already had the canyon to yourself for hours.
Narrows Overnight hike highlights
- 16-mile point-to-point route over 1-2 nights
- Constant river wading in 56-68°F water
- 12 designated campsites with fire rings and pit toilets
- No maintained trail, the river IS the route
- Solitude in the upper canyon, crowds below Big Springs
How hard the Narrows Overnight hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required4/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills2/5
- Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential3/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5
Best for: Backpackers comfortable with extended river travel, cold water immersion, and primitive camping conditions.
Recommended experience: River crossing experience helpful. Should have completed multi-day backpacking trips. The Narrows day hike is good preparation.
Not recommended for: Those under 4'8" (deep crossings require swimming), non-swimmers, anyone uncomfortable with constant wet feet, hikers with mobility limitations.
When to hike Narrows Overnight
Best time to visit
Late May through September offers warmest water (65-68°F) but highest flash flood risk during monsoon season (July-August). Spring and fall are colder but more stable weather.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (4,411 ft)
Today
76°
55°
57%
Wed
83°
55°
Thu
82°
63°
Fri
86°
67°
Sat
87°
70°
Sun
87°
70°
Mon
84°
69°
Narrows Overnight photography guide
Golden Hour
The canyon floor rarely sees direct sun, but reflected light creates a soft glow on the walls during midday. Camp at sites 8-10 to photograph Wall Street in the best light.
Best Light
Overcast days provide even light throughout. When sun beams penetrate the slot (typically 10am-2pm in summer), the walls glow orange.
Beat the Crowds
Camp at sites 1-6 for near-complete solitude. The lower sites are closer to day-hiker traffic from Temple of Sinawava.
Classic Shots
- Wall Street section with hikers for scale
- Light beams penetrating the slot
- Big Springs hanging gardens
- Camp setup with canyon walls towering above
- Dawn light hitting the upper walls
- Reflections in still pools
Narrows Overnight rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- Dry bags for sleeping gear and electronics
- Canyon shoes with good drainage and grip
- Walking stick or trekking poles
- WAG bags for waste (pack everything out)
- Water purification (river water is your only source)
Recommended gear
- Neoprene socks for cold water
- Wetsuit or dry top in spring and fall
- Camp shoes for evenings
- Tarp for rain protection (camps have no shelters)
- Extra dry layers in waterproof bag
Rules & regulations
- 01Maximum 12 people per group
- 02Camping only at designated numbered sites
- 03WAG bags required for human waste (no pit toilets at all sites)
- 04No fires except in provided fire rings
- 05Permits void if river flow exceeds 150 CFS
- 06One night minimum, two nights maximum
Hazards & considerations
- Flash floods. Canyon offers no escape. Check weather for entire watershed.
- Hypothermia from extended cold water exposure
- Deep pools requiring swimming (some sites require crossing deep water)
- Slippery bowling-ball rocks in riverbed
- No cell service or emergency communication
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Narrows Overnight.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Narrows Overnight · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Narrows Overnight FAQ
How do I get a Narrows Overnight permit?
PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Narrows Overnight cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Narrows Overnight permits use a reservation system.
When is the best time to visit Narrows Overnight?
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Narrows Overnight permit?
This permit has a demand score of 8/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
What if I can't get a Narrows Overnight permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.
Narrows Overnight trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
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Trip Reports
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Write the First ReportAlternatives to a Narrows Overnight permit
- Easier AlternativePermit required
The Narrows Top-Down (Day Permit)
Same route completed in a single 10-14 hour push. No camping gear required, but no time to savor the canyon.
Tradeoffs
Faster and lighter, but you miss the magic of camping in the slot and the solitude of dawn in Wall Street.
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
West Rim Trail Overnight
Rim-top backpacking with views into the canyon rather than from inside it. 9 designated campsites.
Tradeoffs
Completely different experience. Views instead of immersion. No river wading. Better in wet weather.
Where to stay near Narrows Overnight
- South Campground (Ut)Zion National Park
- Watchman CampgroundZion National Park
- Lava Point CampgroundZion National Park
- All Utah campgrounds
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