A Photo Tour of the Zion Narrows

For a Utah native, it took me way too long to finally hike the Zion Narrows. I was able to squeeze it in on a trip to St. George for a family wedding, and although I only had half a day to visit the park, it was worth the 100+ degree weather and insane crowds that also spent their Fourth of July weekend in the park. 

Below is a photo tour of my quick trip and a couple of tips for making the most of your getaway.

Tip #1: GO EARLY!! Getting on the park shuttle as early as possible will give you your best shot for smaller crowds and better photo opportunities. The light in this slot canyon is gorgeous with those early rays and golden reflections. 

Tip #2: Bring a jacket! I did this hike over the Fourth of July weekend when average temperatures hovered around 100 degrees or higher. But in the canyon, when you're in cool (or very cold) water and surrounded by shade, it can get pretty chilly. 

Tip #3: It's easy to get dehydrated on hikes like this...hiking through water and in the shade can be deceiving, and you may not feel thirsty. If you're like me, you could go hours without remembering to drink up, but it's better to be safe than sorry! Even fairly mild symptoms of dehydration like migraines or kidney stones are pretty miserable!

Tip #4: Take your time! Hiking over slippery rocks and boulders can be tricky. Hiking sticks can help, but still be cautious with your steps and make sure your footing is solid. Hiking this way also means you'll be looking down at your feet for a lot of the time. Make sure to pause and look around! The size of this canyon is amazing, so make sure you look up every now and then!