Wilderness Climbing Permits

Permits are not required for day climbs, but they are required for all overnight bivouacs. It is illegal to camp at the base of the wall or in your vehicle.

Calendar Reservations: up to 2 months in advance

Over half of all available permits are available using an online calender reservation system. Reservations are available online during a two 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.

Make a Climbing Reservation: 2 months in advance

For a trip in... calendar reservations are available on....
March.... February 5
April... March 5
May.... April 5
June... May 5
July... June 5
August... July 5
September... August 5
October... September 5
November...October 5
December... November 5
January... December 5
February... January 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.

Climbing areas reservable online:

• Desert Shield
• Lunar Ecstasy
• Monkeyfinger
• Moonlight Buttress
• Prodigal Sun
• Spaceshot/Leaning Wall
• Touchstone Wall
• Tricks of the Trade

Walk-In Permits

About one-third of climbing permits are not availble through the reservation system. They are available as walk-in permits and can be obtained at the Zion Canyon Wilderness Desk.

Obtain Your Wilderness Permit

• Plan your trip itinerary to allow sufficient time to obtain your permit the day of, or the day before your trip during our Hours of Operation.
• Allow for at least 20 minutes to obtain a permit. Come prepared with all vehicle(s) information: make, model, and license plate(s).
• All Wilderness permits must be obtained in-person at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center Wilderness Desk.
• The individual listed as the reservation holder must be the one to obtain the permit, please plan accordingly.
• ⚠️ Wilderness Permits cannot be obtained at the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center.

Wilderness Permits are Non-Transferable

Traveling in the Zion Wilderness requires careful planning and preparation. Permit holders assume the responsibility of ensuring that their group is aware of the risks involved, is self-reliant, has developed a back-up plan, and will follow park regulations. Because these are such important aspects of trip planning and resource protection, permits for trips into the Zion Wilderness are non-transferable.

If you cannot participate in your trip, please cancel your reservation to provide opportunities for others. If other members of your group still wish to participate in a planned trip, you may coordinate with a new prospective permit holder for them to immediately reserve the available spaces or sites, as soon as your reservation has been cancelled.

You may cancel your reservation online by logging in to your Zion Wilderness Reservations Account. As soon as your reservation is cancelled, those spaces or sites will immediately be available for someone else to obtain through the calendar reservations page. New permit holders will need a Zion Wilderness Reservations Account prior to creating a calendar reservation.

Plan your trip itinerary to allow sufficient time to obtain your permit the day of, or day before the trip during Zion Wilderness Desk Hours of Operation. The individual listed on reservation must be the one to obtain the permit, please plan accordingly.

Permit Cost:

$15.00 - 1 to 2 people
$20.00 - 3 to 7 people
$25.00 - 8 to 12 people

 

Zion Express Membership

• Zion Express Membership allows visitors who regularly visit the park, and are familiar with the park resources to obtain a login account to create online reservations and convert them into Wilderness Permits from home.

• To become a member, applicants must watch three orientation films at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center Wilderness Desk. (Membership cannot be obtained in the Kolob Canyons.)

• After watching the films, applicants will sign a Zion Express Program Agreement form and obtain a username and password for their member account.

• There is no cost for enrollment. Membership is valid for the remainder of the current year and for the next two calendar years. Memberships may be cancelled if any regulations are violated.