I did one of the most famous hikes at Zion National Park in the winter. Wading through frigid water was worth it to avoid summer crowds.

Amanda AdlerFeb 29, 2024, 02:52 IST

Hiking through The Narrows in winter is ideal if you want to avoid crowds. Amanda Adler

I completed a winter hike through The Narrows, one of Zion National Park's most popular hikes.
Trekking through waist-deep water in below-freezing temps required special gear.

Utah's Zion National Park is popular, and its towering sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and diverse landscapes make it especially busy in the summertime.

Having visited 35 national parks, Zion has always been high on my travel wish list, but I've heard it can be extremely crowded during peak seasons.

I wanted to tackle hiking The Narrows — a popular route that involves wading through the waist-deep Virgin River — so my husband and I planned our trip during the winter in hopes of avoiding crowds.

Here's what it was like hiking The Narrows during the offseason.

Hiking The Narrows in winter is harder because of the below-freezing temperatures.

Our rental car needed defrosting during our visit to Zion.Amanda Adler

I opted to rent a waterproof suit, neoprene socks, boots, and a hiking stick.

Dry suits from Zion Adventures came in a variety of sizes.Amanda Adler

Suiting up in the parking lot was awkward and slow going — and walking in the gear was uncomfortable.

Getting dressed in the parking lot was inconvenient, but effective.Amanda Adler

Despite the brisk air and the frigid water, the suits kept us incredibly warm.

Our gear kept us pretty comfortable in the below-freezing water.Amanda Adler

I thought trekking through cold water would be the most difficult part of the journey, but finding stable footing was the real challenge.

I spent much of the hike attempting to balance on unstable rocks.Amanda Adler

The scenery was beautiful, but I was often too distracted by the hike's obstacles to stop and enjoy my surroundings.

We spent most of the hike looking down to avoid tripping or falling.Amanda Adler

Because bathroom breaks would prove problematic, I also hurried back to the beginning of the trail before I felt nature's call.

Portable toilets can be found at the trailhead.Amanda Adler

I'm not eager to hike The Narrows again, but I'm glad I made the journey in winter.

Seeing Zion nearly empty and covered in snow was a beautiful and peaceful experience.Amanda Adler

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