Canyoneering

 

Getting Started

If you've planned a Zion trip that doesn't include canyoneering, you’re BARELY seeing the tip of the iceberg.  Don't get me wrong, the hikes are beautiful, but exploring slot canyons is what Zion is really known for.  

Hiring a Guide

If You're New to Canyoneering - This activity is extremely complicated and dangerous, so if you need some formal training (or if you're looking for a professional to help you refine your skills), the guided trips I've experienced have been excellent.  Expect a full-day adventure to cost in the neighborhood of $160-180 per person before tip.

Note: Unfortunately you cannot hire a guide to take you through the technical canyons of Zion National Park itself.  Commercial guiding is not allowed inside the park--guide companies have access to their own private slot canyon outside the park boundaries.

Here's a list of Zion's top canyoneering guide companies:


My Recommendation
Jon Ritze, Zion Adventures - Jon is one of the best adventure guides I've ever had.  He kept us safe while teaching us the art of rappelling and allowed us to choose our own path on each rocky obstacle we faced.  Put bluntly, he didn't hold our hands too much.  Here's a link to Jon's bio page--he did not ask or pay me to review him. 

 

Canyoneering Permits

For detailed instructions and links to apply, refer to our Zion National Park Wilderness Permit section.  

  1. The Calendar Reservation System - Advanced reservations for all technical slot canyons requiring the use of descending gear or ropes within Zion National Park.  This should be your first go-to option for canyoneering reservations.

  2. The Advanced Lottery - Advanced reservations only for trips through Left Fork (The Subway) and Mystery Canyon.

  3. The Last Minute Drawing - An exclusive system for canyoneering day trips only, which receives a regular allotment of permits every month in addition to any unclaimed permits from the Calendar Reservation System and the Advanced Lottery. The Last Minute Drawing is completed online and is available 2-7 days prior to your desired trip.

  4. Walk-in Reservations - Any spaces not taken through the Last Minute drawing will be available as Walk-in Permits the day before a trip date. It's worth a shot...but good luck unless it's the off-season.

Click to Expand. Courtesy via CanyoneeringUSA

Resources

Additional Resources & Detailed Route Information

I use these two sites below as my info hub and starting point for all technical slot canyons in the park.  They both provide a comprehensive summary of Zion specifically:



Up to Canyoneering Page Index ^

Keeping Yourself Safe

Disclaimer

If you are new to this sport, DO NOT go attempt technical canyoneering routes on your own. Hire a professional guide to teach you the skills you need. Keep in mind—the smaller the group, the better the instruction and overall experience will be. In my experience, it’s worth the higher cost if you’re trying to learn to go solo.

Safety and Skill Development

Here's a great Intro to canyoneering safety and skill development:

Flash Floods and Canyoneering

As one would imagine, flash floods become an immediate life threatening hazard for anyone stuck in a slot canyon during their appearance.  If you see rain in the forecast or suspicious rain clouds on the horizon, stay out of any & all slot canyons. Narrow canyons fill up with water quickly, and unfortunately, people die every year from this.

I've included a professional resources below for your reference:

 

Featured Routes

Lamb's Knoll - Intro/Beginner

Here’s a high-thrill, low-consequence routes that you can complete comfortably after learning (and demonstrating) proper rappelling technique. Lambs Knoll is often used by guiding companies to teach first-timers. It’s straight-forward, beautiful and a fun experienced for even experienced rappellers.

 

Left Fork Canyon Aka "The Subway" - Beginner

The top-down canyoneering route through Left Fork is one of Zion National Park’s most coveted and iconic experiences. Acquiring a permit for this won’t be easy and even has its own lottery system (see Wilderness Permits - Zion), but 100% worth your time.

 

Keyhole Canyon - Beginner/Intermediate

Still conquerable by a beginner, this is a short route with straight-forward rappels, but still has slightly higher consequence for mistakes. Keyhole, for example, would be a deadly place to be during a rain storm or flash flood. You’ll want to be confident with your rappelling knowledge in any scenario.

 

Water Canyon - Beginner/Intermediate

Still conquerable by a beginner, this route offers straight-forward rappels, but has slightly higher consequence for mistakes, mainly because of its seclusion and longer rappels. You’ll want to be confident with your rappelling knowledge in any scenario.

 

Pine Creek Canyon - Intermediate

A Zion Classic! Running directly under the Canyon Overlook, this iconic canyoneering route offers everything—rapid-fire obstacles, narrow slot canyons that drop down into grandiose cavern chambers, long 100 ft. free-hanging rappels that will get your heart racing, boulder hopping and down climbing—even a different perspective of the towering walls of Zion.

This route can seem long and unforgiving for a beginner—if you’re new, make sure you’re well prepared, up for the challenge and aware of the weather.

Technically this is an intermediate route, but it will feel advanced for those who are newer to canyoneering. That’s clearly part of the fun of it—Pine Creek is truly a world-class route. Just make sure you study the route guide and know what you’re getting yourself into prior to game day.

 
 

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