Ultimate Trio of River Hikes Near Zion National Park

If you like river hikes, we have the perfect trio for you! If you have done a river hike and loved it or have dreamt of doing a river hike, these are some of the coolest hikes we have been on so far. Whether you choose one or want to do all three, they are all within driving distance from each other!

Kanarra Creek | Best River Hikes Near Zion

Kanarra Creek is an easy 3.5+ miles round trip hike on this guide to river hikes near Zion. But the hike does continue further if you don’t want the adventure to stop there. This hike is in Kanarraville, UT located about an hour from Zion National Park. 

Various times along the hike, you will walk through ankle to knee-deep water. About a mile into the hike you will encounter tall canyon walls as you approach the waterfalls. 

Once you reach the waterfall, there are a couple man-made ladders to get over the waterfall. And obviously where you can snap this famous photo!

Check out our post for the full details on this hike: Kanarra Creek

The Subway | Best River Hikes Near Zion

The subway is a moderate to difficult hike that is 9 miles out and back or 9.5 miles top to bottom hike. It is located right outside Zion National Park in the Zion Wilderness. And it is personally our favorite river hike near Zion.

You locate the trailhead on Kolob Terrace Road. This hike requires a permit that you apply for online or can get from the Zion visitor center (permits can be hard to get). 

For this hike you will be crossing the Left Fork of North Creek for majority of the hike and will have to walk in ankle to knee deep water through the creek when you reach the subway-like walls. 

Check out our post for the full details on this hike: Everything You Need to Know About The Subway (Bottom-Up)

The Narrows | Best River Hikes Near Zion

Last but not least, on the guide to river hikes near Zion is The Narrows. The Narrows is a difficult 16 mile hike that goes throughout a portion of Zion National Park. This hike requires a permit that you can retrieve online or from the Zion visitor center (permits can be hard to get).

If you choose to backpack, you will need two days to complete this hike as it is an overnight backpacking trip. You will be walking in ankle to waist deep water, (depending on time of year) crossing the North Fork of the Virgin River for majority of this hike 

Check out our post for the full details on this hike: How To Conquer The Narrows Hike