All technical slot canyons in Zion National Park require a permit. There are several ways to obtain a permit for your canyoneering trip.
Advance Reservations: up to 3 months in advance
Over half of all available permits are secured using the advance reservation system. Reservations are available online during a three month time frame. On the fifth day of every month at 10:00 am MT, reservations for the next month become available. If they are still available, they can be made until 5:00 pm MT on the day before your trip.
Zion Wilderness has experienced a fifteen percent increase in the demand for Wilderness reservations and permits over the last 3 years.
As a result of the increased desire for a Wilderness permit, area reservations are quickly booked, almost immediately after becoming available on the 5th of each month.
The Wilderness permit system receives an extremely high volume of use on the 5th and visitors may find that they are unsuccessful in booking a reservation for their intended trip.
Zion Wilderness is a world-renowned destination that offers opportunities that range in recreational and educational experiences.
If you are unable to obtain a reservation for one of the Wilderness areas in Zion, there are still a number of amazing sites and activities you can enjoy in Zion National Park and the surrounding areas.
Make a reservation for a canyoneering day trip, including The Narrows one-day, top down hike.
For a trip in... calendar reservations are available on....
March.... January 5
April... February 5
May.... March 5
June... April 5
July... May 5
August... June 5
September... July 5
October... August 5
November... September 5
December... October 5
January... November 5
February... December 5
There is a $5.00 non-refundable fee for an online calendar reservation, and there is an additional charge for a permit that is determined by the size of your group.
The Advance Lottery: 3 months prior
The Advance Lottery is for trips through The Subway and Mystery Canyon. Due to the popularity of these two areas, the park created an online lottery for reservations. The Advance Lottery does not run from November through March due to a low demand for permits.
Advance Lottery applications are completed online. Entries must be submitted three months prior to your planned trip. Entries are limited to one request per individual per month. Entrants can request three prioritized dates. The non-refundable lottery application is $5.00.
Applicants will be sent a notification email on the fifth day of the following month with information about the status of their request. If a reservation is awarded, the permit must be obtained before the trip at a park visitor center. If there are spaces remaining after the lottery has run, they will become available through the advanced reservation system.
Apply for the Advance Lottery for The Subway and Mystery Canyon.
The Last Minute Drawing: 7 to 2 days in advance
The remaining permits can be obtained through the Last Minute Drawing, 7-2 days before your trip date. In the small chance the Last Minute Drawing does not fill, walk-in permits become available the day before or the day of your trip date at park visitor centers.
Apply for the Last Minute Drawing for canyoneering day trips.
Hours of Operation
Zion Express Membership
If you are a frequent visitor to Zion, consider enrolling in the Zion Express Membership. It allows members who have obtained a reservation to convert it to a permit online, three days before their trip. The entire permit process can be completed online. Stop by the Wilderness Desk to enroll.
Permit Cost:
$15.00 - 1-2 people
$20.00 - 3-7 people
$25.00 - 8-12 people
