Imlay Canyon Permit: Route
Imlay Canyon permits are booked by advance reservation in Zion National Park. The route covers 3 miles.
Drop through a series of sculpted potholes and keeper pools where each rappel reveals new chambers of water-carved sandstone.
This guide covers the Imlay Canyon permit.
6-8 hours
Duration
3 miles
Distance
300'
Elevation Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
About Imlay Canyon
Imlay Canyon features some of the most beautiful water-sculpted formations in Zion. The route descends through a series of perfect potholes connected by keeper pools, including a famous 'Subway-like' curving section. Technical difficulty is moderate by Zion standards, but the aesthetic rewards are extraordinary. This is a photographer's canyon.
Imlay Canyon represents the aesthetic peak of Zion slot canyons. The potholes here are perfectly sculpted, the pools deep and clear. Technical difficulty is moderate, but the visual impact is extraordinary. This is the canyon that makes photographers cry.
The Imlay Canyon route
- Distance
- 3 miles
- Route type
- point-to-point
- Elevation gain
- 300 ft
- High point
- 7,000 ft
- Low point
- 4,800 ft
- Trip length
- 6-8 hours
- Difficulty
- strenuous
Points along the route
- West Rim ApproachMile 0, 7,000 ft
- First PotholeMile 0.5, 6,600 ft
- Pothole SequenceMile 1, 6,200 ft
- Subway SectionMile 1.5, 5,800 ft
- Lower SlotMile 2, 5,400 ft
- Right Fork ExitMile 2.5, 5,000 ft
- Road AccessMile 3, 4,800 ft
Imlay Canyon permit detailsandAll Zion National Park permits
The Experience
Each pothole is a sculpture. Water has spent millennia carving these perfect bowls into solid sandstone. You rappel into chambers that glow orange with reflected light, swim across pools that seem impossibly blue, and emerge into the next formation wondering how it gets any better. It does.
Access via the West Rim Trail and a cross-country approach to the canyon rim. The technical section begins immediately with a series of rappels into progressively deeper potholes.
The famous 'Subway-like' section features a curving, tubular passage reminiscent of the more famous route. Multiple keeper pools require swimming between anchors.
The route exits into the main Zion Canyon via Right Fork, requiring a short hike to the road.
What to Expect
8+ rappels up to 60 feet
Multiple keeper pools requiring swimming
3 miles including approach and exit
6-8 hours typical completion
Stunning pothole formations
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Permit Requirements
Wilderness permit required
Group size limit of 6 people — only Orderville, Keyhole, Pine Creek, the Left Fork (Subway) and the Narrows top-down are allowed 12
Cross-country approach (no trail)
Exit via Right Fork to road
No commercial guiding
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •150-foot rope
- •Canyoneering harness
- •Rappel device
- •Helmet
- •Wetsuit
Recommended Gear
- •Waterproof camera housing
- •Pull cord
- •Knee pads
- •Canyon shoes
- •Energy food
Hazards & Safety
Flash floods
Cold water immersion
Keeper pools with no exit (must swim forward)
Route-finding on cross-country approach
Slippery pothole edges
Best Time to Visit
June-September for warmest water. Potholes hold water year-round.
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Imlay Canyon permit?
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Imlay Canyon permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Imlay Canyon?
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June-September for warmest water. Potholes hold water year-round.
How long is the Imlay Canyon route?
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The route is 3 miles, as a point-to-point. Plan on 6-8 hours.
How difficult is the Imlay Canyon route?
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Intermediate canyoneers seeking beautiful formations. Photographers.
What gear do I need for the Imlay Canyon route?
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Essential gear includes: 150-foot rope, Canyoneering harness, Rappel device, Helmet, Wetsuit.
Don't Miss Your Imlay Canyon Permit
Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors Imlay Canyon availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
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