The Virgin River forms as several forks in Kane and Washington Counties of far southwestern Utah in and around Zion National Park, then converge into the mainstream that flows down into Arizona in far northwestern Cococino County before flowing under IH 15, into Nevada and to its end at Lake Mead. The forks are the East Fork, North Fork, Right Fork, North Left Fork, South Left Fork and one or two others that apparently are nameless because they ran out of forks. None of the forks or the mainstream is lengthy, but they do pack a wallop into the short distance they flow. Between the Town of Virgin on the south side of Zion and Littlefield in northwestern Arizona the mainstream flows as a Class I to V+ river, and within Zion the North Fork flows as a Class III to V stream, each capable of providing more than adequate excitement for most boaters. The mainstream flows outside Zion National Park boundries, but the forks all start in or flow through the park, where entrance fees and free backcountry permits are required. The Virgin and its flatware (forks) are all very gorgeous waterways in an area of spectacular natural beauty. While there are some Class I to II stretches, much of this river and its tributaries mandate having at least strong intermediate level whitewater skills to safely boat them. Park rules apply for runs within its boundries, and much of the property along the river outside the park is privately owned by people who zealously guard their rights to keep boaters off their property, so it is always important to know where you are when paddling the Virgin River and its tribs.

Click the links below for information regarding the section of the Virgin River and its tributaries where you want to paddle.

[ Virgin to Littlefield ] [ North Fork (Zion National Park) ]