Zion National Park Canyoneering Advanced Reservations
This page is for permit reservations for technical canyoneering routes that require ropes, harnesses, additional gear, and the skills to use them safely. Guiding is not allowed in the Zion Wilderness. Anyone booking these reservations must have their own skills and equipment to safely complete the trip.
The Narrows
This page is also for full 16-Mile, Through-Hike, Virgin River Narrows permits. Even in favorable conditions, this is a very long, strenuous, non-technical hike that is often underestimated, resulting in costly and dangerous search and rescue operations. In winter and spring, this hike is often inaccessible due to road conditions and impractical due to hiking conditions. Make sure to review the 16-Mile, Through-Hike, Virgin River Narrows page before booking a reservation for this hike. The Narrows From the Bottom Up hike does not require a permit.
Subway and Mystery Canyons are not available from this page
Mystery Canyon and the Left Fork (Subway) canyoneering routes are not available on this advanced reservation page. View the Mystery Canyon Seasonal Lottery and the Left Fork (Subway) Seasonal Lottery pages for details on the seasonal lotteries for these routes.
Upper Left Fork (Das Boot) trips exiting through the Subway require both an Upper Left Fork (Das Boot) and Left Fork (Subway) permit.
Russell Gulch trips exiting through the Subway require both a Russell Gulch and Left Fork (Subway) permit.
Englestead Canyon trips exiting through Orderville Canyon require both an Englestead Canyon and Orderville Canyon permit.
Overnight Wilderness Permits, Overnight Narrows Permits, Overnight (bivouac) Climbing Permits, and Angels Landing hiking permits on separate pages starting from Recreation.gov's Zion gateway page.
Permit & Season Information
A permit is required for all technical canyoneering trips in Zion National Park. Canyoneering is defined as any hike within any canyon which normally involves the use of rope, webbing, or other device for descent or ascent. Additionally, the non-technical 16-Mile, Through-Hike, Virgin River Narrows also requires a permit.
- To minimize the impact on park resources, wilderness permits are limited.
- Canyoneering reservations and permits are for single-day trips. Two-day trips are allowed in a few of the very long canyons in Zion. Permits are required for both days of the trip in this case.
- About half of all canyoneering permits are available in advance on this page.
- The remaining spots are filled using the Canyoneering Daily Lottery page.
- Reservations are not available for canyons not listed in the menu. You must obtain these permits in person at the Visitor Center.
- Apply on separate pages for Mystery Canyon and Left Fork North Creek (Subway) canyoneering lotteries or unclaimed permits.
Need to Know
When planning your trip, please keep in mind:
This page allows you to book a technical canyoneering route in Zion National Park. It does not guarantee that the trail will be open or accessible on the day of the permit. Trails, canyons, campsites, and even the entire park may close due to fires, floods, rock falls, or other reasons.
A Wilderness permit is required year-round for any technical canyon in the Zion Wilderness.
Cold, icy conditions usually occur all winter long in Zion. Drysuits are usually needed to avoid hypothermia in the Narrows and other slot canyons. The road to the starting trailhead for the Narrows is usually covered in a few feet of snow during the winter, making the hike inaccessible by vehicle.
Make changes to your itinerary in advance through your Recreation.gov user profile, “My Reservations,” or at a Zion Wilderness Permit Station (subject to availability). It is not possible to change your entry date. Increasing group size will incur additional fees.
Overnight trips are allowed in some of the longer technical canyons. Reserve a permit for both days of the trip.
Your reservation confirmation email is not a Wilderness permit and cannot be used for Wilderness travel. Bring your confirmation email and proof of identity to a Zion Wilderness Permit Station to pick up your Wilderness permit.
You must pick up your permit in person during operating hours at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center Wilderness Desk the day before, or day of permit entry date.
Lava Point Road and access to the Upper West Rim Trailhead are closed for the season.
Fee Policy
Permit Reservation Fee: $6 per permit (non-refundable)
Per Person Fee: $10 per person (refundable)
The same fees are charged for first-come, first-served permits that are issued in person. This fee supports the permit and reservation management system.
Cancellation Policy
Per person fees are refundable if the permit is cancelled or modified to a smaller group size before 5pm the day of the trip. The $6 permit fee is non-refundable in all circumstances.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
1 Zion Park Blvd Springdale UT 84767
Phone Number
435-772-0170
