The Truth About Monsoon Season and The Narrows: What You Need to Know Before You Go
There’s nothing quite like hiking The Narrows in Zion National Park—walking through the cool waters of the Virgin River, sandstone walls towering a thousand feet above, sunlight filtering in like a dream. For many of our guests, it’s a bucket-list experience. But if you’re planning your adventure between July and September, there’s something you absolutely need to understand: monsoon season.
What Is Monsoon Season?
Each summer, southern Utah experiences a weather pattern known as the Southwest Monsoon, bringing brief but intense thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon. While these storms can be beautiful and dramatic, they can also trigger flash floods—sudden, fast-moving surges of water that rush through slot canyons like The Narrows with very little warning.
Why Flash Floods Matter in The Narrows
The Narrows is a slot canyon, which means the river has carved a narrow passage through the rock. In many places, there’s no high ground to escape to if a flash flood comes. Even a small storm miles upstream can send a wall of water racing down the canyon—raising the river level by feet in just minutes.
That’s why the National Park Service carefully monitors flash flood risk every day. If the risk is elevated, the trail may be closed. And even if it’s open, we won’t take guests into The Narrows unless it’s absolutely safe.
Monsoon Days Can Still Be Safe—With an Early Start
Here’s something many travelers don’t realize: a day with monsoon storms doesn’t necessarily mean the Narrows are off-limits. In fact, it’s often completely safe to hike The Narrows in the morning—even on a day when afternoon storms are likely.
That’s why, during monsoon season, we start our Narrows tours very early and aim to be out of the canyon by 1 PM. This gives us a generous safety window and helps you experience the canyon at its most peaceful—before the crowds arrive and before any weather risk builds.
What This Means for Your Tour
From mid-July to mid-September, we pay extra-close attention to the weather. Here’s what you can expect if you’re booking a Narrows tour during monsoon season:
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We’ll keep you informed. You’ll hear from us the evening before your tour if there’s any chance of closure or weather-related changes.
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We prioritize your safety. If the risk is even borderline, we’ll offer alternative hikes that are stunning, less exposed, and just as memorable.
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We’ll help you stay flexible. We know The Narrows is a highlight—and we’ll do everything we can to help you experience it. But we also help guests fall in love with the hidden gems that most visitors never see.
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We hike early. Most storms hit in the afternoon. By starting at sunrise, we stay well ahead of the weather and give you the best possible experience.
What You Can Do
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Book early in your trip. Give yourself wiggle room in case we need to reschedule.
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Stay flexible. The desert teaches us to adapt—and sometimes, the magic happens when plans change.
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Trust the team. We live here, hike here, and watch these canyons every day. Your safety and experience are everything to us.
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Enjoy the show. Monsoon thunderstorms can put on one of nature’s most beautiful displays. Phantom waterfalls, dramatic cloud cover, and the smell of rain in the desert air—it’s all part of the magic. If we need to adjust your hike, you may just witness something even more unforgettable.
The Bottom Line
The Narrows is incredible. But nature runs the show. If you’re planning a trip during monsoon season, go in with open eyes and an open heart—and know that we’ve got your back every step of the way. Whether it’s wading through the Virgin River or watching sunset from a quiet overlook, your Zion adventure will be unforgettable.
