River Trips

Current River Levels

Watercraft permits are only issued when the Virgin River is flowing in excess of 150 cubic feet per second. Check the current Virgin River flow rate here.

 

Packrafters boating the "park run" through Zion

Permits Are Required

All watercraft use in the park requires a wilderness permit. Permits can be obtained in person at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. To find out when the Wilderness Desk is open, check our hours of operation.

• For boating below the Temple of Sinawava, permits are free and can be obtained on the day of your trip.
• For boating The Narrows, standard permit fees apply. Permits can only be obtained the day before your trip, as an early start is needed.

Permits to float the Virgin River are only issued when the river is flowing in excess of 150 cubic feet per second (CFS). Permits for The Narrows will only be issued if the flow has stayed above 150 CFS for 24 consecutive hours. Check current Virgin River flow rates on the United States Geological Survey website.

Boatable flows do not occur every year. When they do, it is usually only for a brief time when the spring snowmelt is occuring. This is typically sometime between April and June.

River Trip Regulations

Watercraft users must follow all river trip regulations. Failure to follow regulations will result in permits being denied and/or citations being issued.

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"The Park Run" - Temple of Sinawava to Court of the Patriarchs

Kayaking from Temple of Sinawava to Court of the Patriarchs is one common float trip. Rapids for this stretch of the river usually fall in the class II-III range when flows are high enough for boating, though it can be more difficult at higher flows. Expect portages and strainers, and be prepared to swim.

Below Court of the Patriarchs, there are multiple low head dams and a stretch of river that is often class V whitewater at boatable flows. It is important to scout the exit at Court of the Patriarchs.

The Narrows - Chamberlains Ranch to Temple of Sinawava

Kayak trips through The Narrows portion of the Virgin River should only be attempted by expert paddlers who are prepared to survive without assistance for multiple days. The Narrows is a remote, wilderness kayak trip. If anything goes wrong, help is a long way away. Emergency overnight gear, extra paddles, helmets, and wetsuits or drysuits are strongly recommended for this trip.

While the river is usually class III or IV, flows are inconsistent and paddlers should be prepared for class V whitewater. Expect difficult portages and tricky strainers, and be prepared to swim.

In most years, the river above the Deep Creek confluence does not have enough water to float. Paddlers should be prepared to hike with all their gear for about 8 miles before putting into the river at the Deep Creek confluence.

 

River Trip Regulations

Watercraft users must obtain a permit and follow these regulations.

Wilderness Permits

Permits are used to protect resources and ensure a high-quality wilderness experience. Explore your options and apply here.

Explore Zion Wilderness

Learn how to plan and obtain permits for backpacking, canyoneering, and other Wilderness trips.