Beyond the Riverside Walk, upper Zion Canyon becomes so narrow—as tight as 20 feet in areas—that there's no room for a trail. It's a beautiful hike, and easily the most famous of the park's backcountry areas, but does require extra preparation and the right conditions. Flash floods and hypothermia are the main dangers. Winter is too cold, spring has high runoff, and late summer brings thunderstorms and the danger of flash floods. Early summer (mid-June to mid-July) and early autumn (mid-September to mid-October) are the best times to go. The Narrows are 16 miles long, possible in a 12-hour day hike or a more leisurely two days with an overnight stay in the canyon. The confluence with Orderville Canyon, a major tributary two hours upstream, is a good destination for a day hike because Zion Canyon is especially spectacular here; however, traveling upstream into Orderville Canyon or beyond Big Spring is prohibited. The park's Backcountry Planner, available at the visitor centers and on the Web site, has helpful tips on what to bring and how to obtain the permits.

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