Summary
- West Fork Trail in Coconino National Forest is a convenient, budget-friendly alternative to Zion’s Narrows hike.
- The trail offers similar views with red rock walls and a creek, less crowds, and a more accessible experience overall.
- Hikers can explore beyond the end of the established trail to experience a narrow canyon resembling Zion’s Subway area.
The Narrows is one of the most iconic and most dangerous hikes in Zion National Park (besides the famous Angel’s Landing). Towering red canyon walls with the Virgin River bubbling at the bottom is a truly awe-inspiring combination and one that millions of people flock to every year.
With big crowds and plenty of technical challenges, the Narrows hike might not be the best choice for all travelers. Thankfully, the southwest has plenty of similar scenery to explore, with many trails offering similar views and experiences without the strain.
Tucked in Coconino National Forest is the West Fork Trail. All of Coconino National Forest is criminally underrated, but the West Fork Trail is a standout for its similarity to one of Zion’s most famous trails.
Here are all the details on this hidden gem hiking trail, the perfect easy alternative to Zion’s Narrows hike.
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About The West Fork Trail
The West Fork Trail is shorter and slightly more level than The Narrows in Zion, making it an easier hike overall
There are two trails in the Narrows of Zion National Park, both ranked hard for their distance and overall physical demands. The Top-Down Narrows hike is so intense, it frequently becomes an overnight outing and is one of the many national park hikes that requires winning a lottery.
Even the permit-free Bottom-Up Narrows Trail is nearly nine miles of river wading in the high desert.
In addition to the standard Narrows hike, Zion National Park has several similar slot canyon river hikes, including the Subway, another permit-only hike that accesses another part of the Virgin River as it carves its way through Southern Utah.
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Distance |
8.9 miles |
|---|---|
|
Difficulty |
Hard |
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Time to Hike |
6–8 hours |
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Elevation Gain |
695 feet |
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Dogs Allowed? |
No |
Three Hardest Hikes At Zion (That Aren’t Angel’s Landing)
Angel’s Landing isn’t the only hard hike in Zion National Park. Kolob Arch, the Narrows, and the West Rim have plenty of thrills for avid hikers.
The West Fork Trail is around seven miles and is considered easy to moderate. An out-and-back hike, it is easy to adjust this experience based on time constraints and physical limitations.
With just over 500 feet of elevation gain, the West Fork Trail is less steep than the full Narrows hike. The West Fork Trail also requires less water hiking than the Narrows (although wading in the river is welcome).
In addition to the official West Fork Trail, hiking is permitted further up the canyon, which gets more narrow and waterlogged as it continues. For many, this extended section is the highlight of the hike, and the part that most closely resembles the Narrows.
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Distance |
6.5-7 miles |
|---|---|
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Difficulty |
Moderate |
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Time to Hike |
4–6 hours |
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Elevation Gain |
564 feet |
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Dogs Allowed? |
Yes (on leash) |
While hiking is all about the experience, it is important to hike safely and smart. Particularly if planning to go past the end of the trail, make sure to have a hard copy map, share plans with others, and pack plenty of water. Even near the creek, dehydration is a serious concern in the desert of Arizona.
Getting To The West Fork Trail
The West Fork Trail is close to both Sedona and Flagstaff, making it easy to visit for most travelers
West Fork Trail, Coconino National Forest, Sedona, Arizona, USA
The West Fork Trail is not only an easier hike than the Narrows in Zion National Park, it is a much more accessible one as well. Zion National Park’s south entrance is about an hour from St. George, the nearest major city. While there is a gateway town, Springdale, options there are limited (and often costly).
Meanwhile, the West Fork Trail is just 20 minutes from Sedona, Arizona. While the West Fork Trail may not be one of the most secret hikes in Sedona, its convenience is undeniable. Sedona is a major hub of outdoor activities, which makes it easy for travelers to spend half a day exploring the West Fork Trail without committing to a long drive.
The ease of accessing the West Fork trailhead also makes it easier to beat the traffic, a key factor when planning to hike any of the trails in and around Sedona. The parking lot is relatively small, and fills up quickly, particularly on summer mornings. It also makes this hike one of the most popular Sedona hikes to include on an Arizona road trip, since it is so easy to reach and takes less time than similar hikes like the Narrows.
Despite being only 20 minutes from the heart of Sedona (and only 30 minutes from Flagstaff), the West Fork Trail is located in Coconino National Forest, which does have a day-use fee of $12 a vehicle or $3 for a walk-up individual.
Hikers who continue deeper into the canyon area past the established trail will enter the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness Area of Coconino National Forest. Watch for signage and make sure to follow all posted hiking restrictions.
This is still just a third of the price to access the famous Narrows hike, which requires paying the $35 Zion National Park entrance fee. Additionally, summer guests usually have to park in Springdale, which costs $30 a vehicle each day.
Those applying for a permit to the Narrows will also need to fork over $20 for a group application fee and $7 per person for overnight access to the region. This means that an overnight excursion in the Narrows can take not only two full days, but cost up to $92 for an individual to experience.
Comparing the two side by side, it is clear that not only is the West Fork a less strenuous version of the Narrows, but a much more economical and convenient version as well.
The Views On The West Fork Trail
The West Fork Trail has similar dramatic red rock walls along the trail to compete with even Zion’s views
Of course, numbers mean nothing if the views don’t measure up. The Narrows is famous for its combination of canyon walls and a rushing river. The canyon is often only 20 feet wide and requires hikers to wade through the river to experience the trail.
The West Fork Trail offers a similar experience, with red rock framing Oak Creek as it ripples through the wilderness area. The creek creates a unique oasis in the canyon area, offering plenty of shade along the trail.
Coconino National Forest has long established itself as having some of the most amazing hikes in Sedona, and the West Fork Trail and its dramatic formations put that accolade on full display.
The West Fork gets even more like the Narrows past the end of the established trail. A series of pools mark the end of the official West Fork trail, but hikers are allowed to explore along the river beyond this point, so long as they are prepared to get their feet wet. In this region, the canyon gets narrow, and closely resembles the Subway area in Zion National Park, with curved walls along either side.
Hikers also praise this region for its reduced crowds, as most visitors turn around at the pools area, leaving this narrow subway region relatively unexplored. Regardless of how far visitors go, the views are abundant and begin early enough for even less experienced guests to enjoy their moment in this piece of red rock paradise.
Forget Zion: Visit Utah’s Most Underrated National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is one of Utah’s lesser-known gems. With hiking trails and views to match Zion, and features of its own, it’s a must-see.
The Narrows is one of the most famous hikes in Zion National Park, but it is not the only place that travelers can hike along a river framed by canyon walls. The West Fork Trail, just 20 minutes outside Sedona, the West Fork Trail is a shorter, more level version of Zion’s Narrows hike.
The West Fork Trail also comes with a much more budget-friendly price tag, all without compromising on views. The dramatic red rock is on full display, with the freshwater from Oak Creek creating a shaded haven in the canyon area. One of the top-rated hikes near Sedona, the West Fork Trail of Coconino National Forest is the perfect easy alternative to Zion’s Narrows hike.
Have you ever hiked the West Fork Trail? Let us know in the comments!
