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Where & When Are Permits Required?

Almost anything beyond regular day hiking (aka anything fun) in Zion requires a permit, so you'll want to base your trip planning around the information in this section if you plan on getting adventurous.

Specifically, wilderness permits are required for the following activities:

• Any overnight trip in the Zion Wilderness (backpacking, overnight climbing, etc.)

• All thru hikes of The Narrows and its tributaries

• All technical slot canyons requiring the use of descending gear or ropes (see: Canyoneering)

• All trips into Left Fork (The Subway)

Important - Due to an increase in demand for wilderness permits in recent years, reservations are usually booked almost immediately after becoming available on the 5th of each month.  If you want a shot at obtaining your permit, you'll need to be diligent with the instructions below.
 

Acquiring a Permit via the Calendar Reservation System

Used for - Just about every activity on the bulleted list above, plus any unclaimed permits for The Subway and Mystery Canyon remaining from the lottery system.  If you don't live locally, this should be your first place to check (and your most reliable way) to obtain a permit for the majority of your canyoneering and/or backpacking adventures.  

Making a Reservation - Reservations must be made at least two months in advance.  On the fifth day of every month at 10am MST, reservations for all trips two months down the road become available. For example, all reservations for trips in July become available on May 5th, August trips on June 5th, etc.  Submit your application right at 10am MST (9am PST), because they fill up almost immediately.  Finally, keep in mind that these calendar reservations are NOT permits.  You still have to pick up the permit itself at either the Zion Canyon or Kolob Canyons Visitor Center before beginning your trip.  

Applications can be completed here: Zion NP Wilderness Reservation System Hub
 

Acquiring a Permit via the Advance Lottery System

Used for - ONLY for technical canyoneering trips through Left Fork (The Subway) and Mystery Canyon, created out of necessity due to their overwhelming popularity.  It does not run from November through March due to a low demand for permits.

Making a Reservation - Applications can be completed here: Zion NP Online Advanced Lottery Application
 

Acquiring a Permit via the Last Minute Drawing

Used for - ONLY canyoneering day trips during the week of your intended departure.  Just under half of all canyoneering permits are available on a last minute basis only.  Traditionally, these permits were made available on a walk-in basis, but as demand increased and long lines started to form, the park created this Last Minute Drawing system to simplify the process.  In addition to the regular allotment, all canyoneering permits not claimed through the Calendar Reservation System and the Advanced Lottery also filter into the Last Minute Drawing.

The Last Minute Drawing is limited to one request per individual per canyon.  Entries can be submitted as early as one week prior to a trip date until two days before at noon MT. The drawing is held at 1:00 pm MST, two days before a trip date. Winners are selected at random.

Making a Reservation - Applications can be completed here: Zion NP Online Last Minute Drawing Application
 

Acquiring a Permit as a Walk-in

Used for - Any backpacking or climbing permits not taken through the Calendar Reservation System, plus any canyoneering permits not taken through the Last Minute Drawing.  If you’re visiting during canyoneering season, don’t count on any canyoneering permits to be remaining by this point.

Acquiring a Walk-In Permit - Roughly one-third of wilderness campsites are NOT available through the reservation system. They're available as Walk-in Permits only and can be obtained from the Visitor's Center the day before your trip starts.

My recommendation:  Always check on permits for adventures you want, even if they're completely booked online.  Just remember to show up as soon as the Visitor Center opens to beat the crowd.
 

Permit Fees

The fee structure is consistent across the board, whether applying for backpacking, canyoneering, or climbing permits. The breakdown is as follows:

• $15 each permit: 1-2 people

• $20 each permit: 3-7 people

• $25 each permit: 8-12 people
  
  

Simplifying the Application Process—Where Do I Start??

For Backpacking & Climbing - Use the online Calendar Reservation System to make sure you're guaranteed a solid option for your upcoming adventure. If you didn’t get your first option, keep a close eye on available Walk-in permits after you arrive in Zion for potential upgrades or back-up options. Make sure to arrive as soon as the Visitors Center opens for your best shot at claiming what you want.

For Canyoneering - Use the online Calendar Reservation System (or Advanced Lottery if you’re shooting for the Subway and Mystery Canyon) to make sure you're guaranteed a solid option for your upcoming adventure. If you didn’t get your first option, use the online Last Minute Drawing for potential upgrades or back-up options. Note that you have to apply between 2-7 days prior to your departure. Walk-in permits are worth a shot if all you have is a one-day or same-day notice, but don’t count on it.

Additional Tips:

• Always check for walk-in permits!!  Even during peak season, you never know when people are going to drop out or walk-in permits go unclaimed, leaving room for upgrades or new adventure options.  

• Bring your gear for any & all desired adventures, even if you don’t have a permit. Let’s say you have a permit to hike the Narrows, but you REALLY want to go canyoneering through the Subway. Bring everything you need for both adventures and check for Subway permits at the Visitor's Center when you go in to claim your permit. This is exactly how I got my Subway permit—it was completely unexpected.  For your best shot, arrive as soon as they open on the day before your hike.

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Where & When Is It Required?

The shuttle system is ONLY operational during high traffic times of the year--usually from early March until late October/early November.  Timing varies each year, depending on weather, etc.

For any hike in the main section of Zion Canyon during operational season, this mandatory (but free) shuttle bus service is your only transportation option. That includes any hikes in/around Angel’s Landing & Emerald Pools, the Zion Narrows (bottom-up day hike), Hidden Canyon, Observation Point (bottom-up day hike) and the Zion National Park Lodge.

Getting to the Shuttle

Park at the Zion National Park Visitor’s Center, and access the shuttle from its main parking lot. Naturally, this will be your drop-off point at the end of the day as well.

Pros & Cons

The Upside - Having to deal with a bus system might seem like an annoying extra step, but the advantage is that you never have to worry about finding parking at the trailheads of each hike.  It also means that the beautiful, picturesque valley you'll be taking photos of won't be crammed full of people's ugly minivans.

Plan Extra Time - For any hikes/adventures along that route, budget an extra half hour in the beginning of your day to park at the Visitor's Center and catch a shuttle.  At the end of your day, be aware of the last shuttle time at your stop so you don't end up hiking out.

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These Guys Are Doing It Right

• Jordan Tarver - Zion National Park - this guy’s whole website is cool

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Itemized Activities

Example Budget for a Recent Weekend Trip (3 people)

Trip Parameters
Budget is based on 3.5 days of adventure including travel time.  The trip starts from Los Angeles (900 mi., including driving time in the park), using one car with three people.  Departure time starts Friday afternoon (Day 0) through Monday night (Day 3). 

Baseline Expenses
Individual Expenses: Food - 3.5 days ($105) 
Group Expenses: Gas ($135.36) + Park Fee ($30) / 3 people = $55.12 per person
Total: $160.12 per person

Days 0-1:  2 Nights Car Camping plus Hiking
Group Expenses: Camping Fees ($0 - BLM camping) + Firewood ($72) / 3 people = $24 per person

Days 2-3:  Backpacking the Zion Narrows
Wilderness Permits: Trip Organizer ($25 flat) / Additional Friends ($20 flat)
Gear Rentals - 2 Days: Fall/Spring Package plus Large Dry Bag ($75 per person)

Trip Total
$284.12 for the trip organizer
$279.12 per additional friend

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