Zion National Park Wilderness Overnight Permits

Overview

Itinerary-based overnight wilderness permit for Zion National Park, Utah. You build a night-by-night campsite itinerary from ~32 designated sites and at-large zones across 124,406 acres of designated wilderness. Major trail systems include La Verkin Creek (10+ sites near Kolob Arch), West Rim (9 sites, Lava Point to the Grotto), Hop Valley (2 sites), Southwest Desert/Chinle (6 sites), and at-large dispersed zones on the East Rim, Wildcat Canyon, Cable Mountain, and Deertrap Mountain mesas. Permit required year-round. Max stay 14 consecutive nights per permit. This permit covers general wilderness backpacking only -- separate permits exist for the Virgin River Narrows, the Subway (Left Fork), canyoneering, and overnight climbing bivouacs.

Bottom Line

Half of all wilderness campsites are reservable online; the other half are walk-up only (first-come, first-served at the Wilderness Desk). Online reservations open quarterly on the 5th of the month at 10:00 AM MT -- three months of dates release at once. Most reservable sites for the upcoming season sell out within minutes of opening. Cancellations return to recreation.gov immediately and per-person fees are refundable, so cancelled sites do trickle back -- alerts are valuable. Walk-up permits are issued at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center Wilderness Desk the day before or day of your trip during operating hours. The West Rim (especially spring/fall), La Verkin Creek, and Hop Valley are the most competitive areas. Southwest Desert sites are easier to get (best in cooler months). East Rim and Wildcat Canyon at-large zones have the best walk-up availability since they require dispersed camping skills. Midweek starts and winter dates have the least competition. Advance reservations close at 5:00 PM MT the day before your trip -- after that, remaining inventory moves to walk-up only.

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 start date. After that, unreserved sites are available walk-up only. You must pick up your permit in person at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center Wilderness Desk the day before or day of your entry date. The reservation confirmation email is not a permit. Allow at least 20 minutes for permit pickup. Bring vehicle info (make, model, license plate).

Fees

• $20 non-refundable permit fee per reservation
• $7/person/night camping fee
• Cancel or reduce group size before 5:00 PM MT day of trip: per-person fees refunded, $20 permit fee kept
• Entry date cannot be changed -- must cancel and rebook
• Itinerary (campsites/dates) can be modified online or in person, subject to availability. Adding people incurs additional fees
• Same fees apply to walk-up permits issued in person

Group Size

• Max 12 people for designated backpacking campsites
• Max 6 people for technical canyons (does not apply to standard wilderness backpacking trails)
• Group size on permit is strictly enforced -- permits will be denied if limits are exceeded
• A "group" includes all people sharing the same affiliation (club, family, friends) entering the same trail on the same day, even across multiple permits

Camping Areas

Designated sites (camp only within the previously disturbed area):

• La Verkin Creek: 13 sites along Timber Creek and La Verkin Creek between Lee Pass and upper canyon (Bear Trap/Willis). Access via Lee Pass or Hop Valley trailheads. Season: spring, summer, fall. Water at Beatty Spring
• West Rim: 9 sites from Lava Point to the Grotto (14.2 mi). Includes Potato Hollow, Telephone Canyon shortcut. Season: late spring through fall. Seasonal water at Sawmill Springs, Potato Hollow Spring, Cabin Spring. Lava Point Road closed in winter
• Hop Valley: 2 sites at the far end of the valley before descent to La Verkin Creek. Access via Kolob Terrace Road. No water source on trail
• Southwest Desert (Chinle/Coalpits): 6 sites along Chinle Trail and Coalpits Wash. Season: fall, winter, spring (too hot in summer). Water at Coalpits Spring near site 5
• Virgin River Narrows: 12 sites (use separate Narrows permit, not this permit)

At-large dispersed zones (no established sites -- camp 200 ft from streams/trails, not within sight of trails, not under overhangs, not within 1/4 mi of springs or park boundary, not within 1 mi of roads):

• East Rim / East Mesa / Cable Mountain / Deertrap Mountain: plateau dispersed camping. Season: spring, fall. Weeping Rock trailhead closed indefinitely -- access via East Entrance trailhead only. Seasonal water at Stave Spring
• Wildcat Canyon: meadow and canyon dispersed camping between Wildcat Trailhead and West Rim junction. Season: late spring through fall. Seasonal water at Wildcat Spring

Key Rules

• No campfires in any wilderness area -- portable gas/liquid-fuel stoves only
• Human waste bags required -- minimum one per person, carry out all waste, toilet paper, and hygiene products
• Food must be stored in bear-resistant container or hung 10 ft above ground and 4 ft from post/tree
• No hammocks or tree tents -- nothing may be attached to trees or vegetation
• No pets in wilderness areas
• Permits are non-transferable -- reservation holder must pick up permit in person
• Trails, campsites, and the park may close at any time due to rockfalls, floods, fires, or other hazards. Always have a backup itinerary