Reservation6/10
Keyhole Canyon cancellations
Technical canyoneering permit for Keyhole Canyon in Zion National Park....
Zion Canyoneering Permit — Pine Creek Canyon
Zion National Park · Utah
One date at a time
Technical canyoneering permit for Pine Creek Canyon in Zion National Park.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Pine Creek Canyon were gone within 10 minutes.
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Pine Creek Canyon Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelModerate6/10
Pine Creek Canyon Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Pine Creek Canyon in Zion National Park, Utah requires a permit issued via reservation.
- The Pine Creek Canyon route covers 2 miles with 100 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate.
- Cancelled Pine Creek Canyon permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Permit Details
TypeCanyoneering
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level6/10
LocationUT
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
2 miles
Elevation Gain
100 ft
Route Type
Point to Point
Duration
4-6 hours
Difficulty
ModerateElevation Range
4,200 - 5,150 ft
Highlights
- •5 rappels up to 80 feet
- •2-mile technical descent
- •4-6 hours typical completion
- •Minimal water (dry canyon most of year)
- •Views of the Great Arch
Best Time to Visit
Year-round when dry. Avoid monsoon season. Spring and fall offer best temperatures.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Flash floods (check weather carefully)
- !Rockfall in upper canyon
- !Exposure on first rappel beside road
- !Heat in summer (no water in canyon)
- !Road traffic at exit point
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (4,200 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- Today: Extreme heat (95°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
Today
☁️
95°
78°
Sun
☁️
92°
73°
29%
Mon
☁️
89°
70°
Tue
☁️
89°
73°
Wed
🌧️
89°
70°
Thu
☀️
88°
71°
Fri
☀️
89°
69°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
4
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand2/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill3/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk3/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment2/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Canyoneers with basic skills looking for a Zion introduction. Fit hikers with rappelling experience.
Recommended Experience
Basic rappelling skills. Should have done 3-5 introductory canyons elsewhere.
Not Recommended For
Complete beginners (take a course first). Those uncomfortable with exposure.
About This Permit
Pine Creek Canyon offers accessible Zion canyoneering with a unique twist: the route descends alongside the historic Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Five rappels up to 80 feet wind through a scenic slot before exiting near the Great Arch.
This is an excellent introduction to Zion technical canyons. Shorter than Mystery or Heaps but still requires proper skills and equipment.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Pine Creek offers an accessible introduction to Zion canyoneering while delivering a unique perspective on the park's history. You descend beside the 1.1-mile tunnel that made Zion accessible by road, dropping past the same sandstone formations that construction crews dynamited through in 1930. The combination of natural beauty and human engineering is found nowhere else.
The Route
Access begins at the Canyon Overlook Trailhead parking lot on the east side of the tunnel. The first rappel drops directly beside the tunnel entrance into the Pine Creek drainage.
The middle section winds through a beautiful slot with several shorter rappels and some downclimbing. The canyon opens as it approaches the Great Arch area, visible from the road.
The exit deposits you on the canyon floor near the scenic drive, requiring a short hike or shuttle back to your vehicle.
The Feeling
The first rappel takes you over the edge of the road cut where the tunnel begins. Traffic noise fades as you drop into the slot. The canyon narrows and the light changes. You're in a world of sculpted sandstone while cars pass invisibly through the mountain beside you. It's surreal, this juxtaposition of wilderness and infrastructure, and it makes Pine Creek unlike any other descent.
Rules & Regulations
- •Wilderness permit required
- •Group size limit of 12 people — one of the five Zion canyons NPS allows 12 in, alongside Orderville, Keyhole, Pine Creek, the Left Fork (Subway) and the Narrows top-down; every other technical canyon is 6
- •Enter from Canyon Overlook parking only
- •Exit on park road (short walk)
- •Shuttle or second car recommended
Gear Checklist
Required
- 100-foot rope
- Canyoneering harness
- Rappel device
- Helmet
- Approach shoes (canyon is usually dry)
Recommended
- Knee pads for downclimbing
- Gloves for rope handling
- Snacks and water
- Camera with wide-angle
- Light layers
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Pine Creek Canyon
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
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Key Landmarks
↑
100ft
Gain↓
1,050ft
Loss⛰️
5,150ft
High📏
2.0mi
Distance📐
0.9%
Avg GradeClick on a marker to view details•6 landmarks
Landmarks (6)
Pine Creek Canyon FAQ
How do I get a Pine Creek Canyon permit?
Pine Creek Canyon permits use a reservation system. PermitSnag sends lottery open, deadline, and results reminders; you can also enable cancellation alerts if spots open later.
When is the best time to visit Pine Creek Canyon?
Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Pine Creek Canyon permit?
This permit has a demand score of 6/10, making it moderately competitive.
What if I can't get a Pine Creek Canyon permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
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Trip Reports
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Write the First ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Morning light illuminates the eastern walls of the slot. Afternoon creates interesting shadows.
Best Light
Midday allows light into the slot. Early morning for the first rappel with golden light on sandstone.
Beat the Crowds
The Canyon Overlook Trail is popular, but once you drop into the canyon, you'll be alone.
Classic Shots
- 📍First rappel beside the tunnel
- 📍Narrow slot section
- 📍Great Arch from below
- 📍Canyoneer silhouette against sky
- 📍Tunnel portal from canyon
Can't Get a Pine Creek Canyon Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Keyhole Canyon
Easier AlternativeShorter and easier with only 3 short rappels. Best first Zion canyon.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Less technical but builds confidence. Good warm-up for Pine Creek.
Orderville Canyon
Similar ExperienceSlightly more technical with water. Exits into The Narrows.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Longer day, requires wetsuit. More spectacular finale.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Pine Creek Canyon trip
Very HardIn Demand26 sitesCanyonlands National Park Needles District Campground
Canyonlands National Park
Book campsite
Very HardIn Demand3 sitesCanyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites
Canyonlands National Park
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Very HardIn Demand57 sitesDevils Garden Campground
Arches National Park
Book campsite
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