In a surprise move, Zion National Park announced they will stop issuing wilderness permits to hike the Zion Narrows from the top down. This policy takes effect immediately and includes both the 16-mile day hike and all overnight use. Park officials say day hiking from the Temple of Sinawava to Big Spring is still allowed, but travel beyond Big Spring is shut down.
So what happened? The access trail to the top of the Narrows crosses private property, specifically Chamberlain Ranch. For many decades the public has been allowed to cross this land to descend into one of the most scenic canyons in the world. But for unknown reasons, the land owner decided to close the trail. “Private Property” and “No Trespassing” signs have recently been posted. Interestingly, there are reportedly “For Sale” signs posted as well.
For those of us that have enjoyed backpacking in the Zion Narrows, this is terrible news.
According to National Parks Traveler, in 2013 the Trust for Public Land paid $1.41 million to purchase development rights to the ranch. Developers had planned to subdivide the property into smaller home sites. This was thought to have preserved access through the ranch in perpetuity. The purchase was paid for with money from the federal Natural Resource Conservation Service’s Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program, the state of Utah, the New Venture Fund, and the Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation Non-Motorized Trail Matching Fund Program.
But despite this, while the development rights had been purchased back in 2013, an access easement had not been established.
Hopefully Zion National Park officials can work out a new deal with the landowner. Something tells me, based on the “for sale” signs, this property owner is closing access to put pressure on the National Park Service to buy the land outright.
If you’ve never hiked the Zion Narrows from the top down yourself, I truly wish you can someday. To truly experience the Narrows, you have to go in from the top on an overnight backpacking trip. By wading down canyon through the Virgin River over the course of two days, you give yourself ample time to soak in the scenery, take photos, and become absorbed in the slow-time of red rock country.
To get just a slight sense of what it is like inside the Narrows, read my trip report.
And here’s a segment I put together for KSL Outdoors.
UPDATE On September 29th, the land owner and Washington County struck a deal to reopen access until the end of the year.
Not current information on the Narrows permits. As of September 29, permits are now being issued. Check with Zion National Park office for info.
Thanks for the heads up, Matthew.