Zion National Park Canyoneering Permits

Overview

Day-use permit for technical canyoneering routes in Zion National Park, Utah. Covers 17 route divisions: Pine Creek, Keyhole, Behunin, Echo, Englestead, Heaps, Imlay, Jolley Gulch, Orderville, Right Fork Slot, Russell Gulch, Spry, Telephone, Upper Left Fork (Das Boot), Refrigerator Canyon Lower, Lodge (Employee) Canyon, and the Virgin Narrows Day Use Trail From Top (16-mile through-hike). Each route is a separate division with its own daily quota. Required year-round for any canyon involving ropes, harnesses, or descending gear. The non-technical through-hike of the Virgin River Narrows (top-down) also requires a permit from this page. Mystery Canyon and Left Fork (Subway) are on separate seasonal lottery pages -- they are not available here. Guiding is not allowed in the Zion Wilderness; all participants must have their own skills and equipment.

Bottom Line

About half of all canyoneering permits are available as advance reservations on this page; the remaining half go to the Daily Lottery (2 days out) and walk-up permits. Advance reservations open quarterly on the 5th of the month at 10:00 AM MT -- three months of dates release at once (e.g., Mar 5 opens Apr/May/Jun). Popular routes like Pine Creek, Orderville, Heaps, and the Narrows top-down sell out fast on opening day. Reservations stay open until 5:00 PM MT the day before your trip if spots remain. Cancellations return to the calendar immediately, so alerts are valuable for snagging returned dates. The Daily Lottery application window is 12:00 AM -- 3:00 PM MT, two days before your hike date, with results at 4:00 PM MT. Unclaimed Daily Lottery spots become walk-in permits the day before. Winter dates and mid-week starts are least competitive but note that cold/icy conditions, drysuits, and road closures (Lava Point) limit access. Flash flood closures can happen any time -- the Virgin River closes to all Narrows and canyon-exit permits when flow exceeds 150 cfs.

Reservation Schedule

Quarterly FCFS release, all at 10:00 AM MT on opening day:

• Jan -- Mar: opens Dec 5
• Apr -- Jun: opens Mar 5
• Jul -- Sep: opens Jun 5
• Oct -- Dec: opens Sep 5

Reservations can be made until 5:00 PM MT the day before the trip. After that, remaining inventory moves to walk-up only. The Daily Lottery (separate rec.gov page) covers all technical canyons including Mystery and Subway -- apply 2 days before your trip.

Fees

• $6 non-refundable permit/reservation fee per permit
• $10/person use fee (refundable if cancelled or group reduced before 5:00 PM day of trip)
• Same fees apply to walk-up and Daily Lottery permits issued in person
• Entry date cannot be changed -- must cancel and rebook
• Group size can be increased (additional per-person fees apply), subject to availability

Group Size

• Max 12 people: Orderville Canyon, Keyhole Canyon, Pine Creek Canyon, and Virgin River Narrows Day Use
• Max 6 people: all other technical canyons (Behunin, Echo, Englestead, Heaps, Imlay, Jolley Gulch, Right Fork Slot, Russell Gulch, Spry, Telephone, Upper Left Fork, Refrigerator Canyon Lower, Lodge Canyon)
• A "group" includes all people sharing the same affiliation entering the same canyon on the same day, even across multiple permits
• Group size limits are strictly enforced -- permits will be denied if exceeded
• Minimum group size of 2 recommended for all technical canyons

Routes (17 Divisions)

Each route is a separate bookable division with its own daily quota:

• Pine Creek Canyon -- classic Zion Canyon route, short with multiple rappels (max 12)
• Keyhole Canyon -- short beginner-friendly route with rappels and swimming (max 12)
• Behunin Canyon -- remote, long approach, multiple rappels (max 6)
• Echo Canyon -- technical route in Zion Canyon (max 6)
• Englestead Canyon -- exits through Orderville Canyon; requires both an Englestead and Orderville permit (max 6)
• Heaps Canyon -- long, strenuous, highly technical; full-day commitment (max 6)
• Imlay Canyon -- technical canyon with keeper potholes and swimming (max 6)
• Jolley Gulch -- shorter technical route (max 6)
• Orderville Canyon -- popular semi-technical route ending in the Narrows (max 12)
• Right Fork Slot Canyon -- narrow slot with rappels (max 6)
• Russell Gulch -- exits through the Subway; requires both a Russell Gulch and Left Fork (Subway) permit (max 6)
• Spry Canyon -- short technical route near Canyon Overlook (max 6)
• Telephone Canyon -- connects to West Rim Trail (max 6)
• Upper Left Fork (Das Boot) -- exits through the Subway; requires both an Upper Left Fork and Left Fork (Subway) permit (max 6)
• Refrigerator Canyon Lower -- short route near Angels Landing trail (max 6)
• Lodge (Employee) Canyon -- short route in Zion Canyon (max 6)
• Virgin Narrows Day Use Trail From Top -- 16-mile non-technical through-hike of the full Narrows, Chamberlain's Ranch to Temple of Sinawava; very long and strenuous (max 12)

Permit Pickup

• Your reservation confirmation email is not a permit
• Must pick up permit in person at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center Wilderness Desk the day before or day of your entry date during operating hours
• The reservation holder must be present to pick up the permit -- permits are non-transferable
• Allow at least 20 minutes for permit pickup; bring vehicle info (make, model, license plate)
• Zion Express Members who have completed orientation may convert reservations to permits from home

Key Rules

• Single-day trips for most routes; two-day permits allowed for very long canyons (reserve both days)
• No campfires -- portable stoves only
• Human waste bags required (minimum one per person) -- pack out all waste, toilet paper, and hygiene products
• No pets in wilderness areas
• No drones, no power drills for bolting
• Canyons, trails, and the park may close at any time due to flash floods, rockfalls, fires, or other hazards -- always have a backup plan
• Separate permits exist for Mystery Canyon (seasonal lottery), Left Fork/Subway (seasonal lottery), overnight wilderness backpacking, overnight Narrows, and overnight climbing bivouacs