Hayduke Trail Permit: Route
Hayduke Trail permits are walk-up only in Hayduke Trail. The route covers 800 miles.
This guide covers the Hayduke Trail Thru-Hike permit.
Varies by segment: free in Capitol Reef and on Grand Staircase-Escalante BLM land, $7 to $15 per person per night in Arches, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon and Canyonlands.
Permit Cost
6-8 weeks
Duration
800 miles
Distance
expert
Difficulty
About Hayduke Trail
An unofficial ~800-mile cross-country route through six national park units and BLM land across the canyon country of Utah and Arizona. There is no trail-wide permit; hikers must obtain a separate backcountry/wilderness permit from each park or agency along the way.
The Hayduke Trail
- Distance
- 800 miles
- Route type
- point-to-point
- High point
- 9,500 ft
- Low point
- 1,800 ft
- Trip length
- 6-8 weeks
- Difficulty
- expert
Colorado Plateau, southern Utah and northern Arizona. Nearest town: Moab, UT (north terminus) / Fredonia, AZ (south terminus area)
Points along the route
- Devils Garden Trailhead, Arches NP5,162 ft
- Delicate Arch4,814 ft
- Confluence Overlook (Green/Colorado Rivers), Canyonlands Needles District5,043 ft
- Chesler Park, The Needles5,224 ft
- The Maze District, Canyonlands5,875 ft
- Waterpocket Fold, Capitol Reef NP6,558 ft
- Halls Creek Narrows, Capitol Reef NP6,516 ft
- Upper/Lower Muley Twist Canyon6,618 ft
- Coyote Gulch, GSENM4,702 ft
- Escalante River corridor, GSENM5,812 ft
- Under-the-Rim Trail, Bryce Canyon NP7,514 ft
- Bryce Amphitheater / Thor's Hammer7,946 ft
- Kolob Canyons, Zion NP7,837 ft
- La Verkin Creek / Kolob Arch area7,715 ft
- Zion Narrows / Virgin River corridor4,758 ft
- Kanab, UT (resupply town)4,970 ft
And 5 more named points along the route.
Get Hayduke Trail Alerts
Be first to know when cancellations happen.
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
Do I need a permit for Hayduke Trail?
+
Yes, a permit is required. Walk-up permits are available at the trailhead or visitor center, but arrive early as they may be limited.
When is the best time to visit Hayduke Trail?
+
Spring (March-May) or fall (September-November). Summer heat across the low desert sections and lingering snow at Bryce and the Grand Canyon's North Rim make both extremes of the calendar risky.
How long is the Hayduke Trail route?
+
The route is 800 miles, as a point-to-point. Plan on 6-8 weeks.
How difficult is the Hayduke Trail route?
+
This is a expert route, extremely challenging and requires advanced skills.
Don't Miss Your Hayduke Trail Permit
Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors Hayduke Trail availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
Get Permit Alerts
