Zion Overnight Climbing (Bivouac) Permit

Zion National Park · Utah

Each entry point carries its own quota

The permit for sleeping on a Zion wall. Required only if you bivy on the route — Moonlight Buttress, Spaceshot, Touchstone and 14 other named climbs each carry their own nightly quota.

70% of the openings our scanner caught on Zion Bivouac were gone within 5 minutes.

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Zion Bivouac Quick Facts

Permit RequiredYes

Booking MethodReservation

Demand LevelHigh7/10

Cost$20 per permit plus $7 per person per night

Daily Quota12 people

Max Group Size12 people

Zion Bivouac Permit Facts

As of September 2026, Zion Bivouac in Zion National Park, Utah requires a permit issued via reservation.
Zion Bivouac is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
Cancelled Zion Bivouac permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.

Live availability activity →When Zion Bivouac permits open up →

Key Information

Permit Details

TypeClimbing

Booking MethodReservation

Demand Level7/10

LocationSouthwest Utah, UT

Pro Tips

•The reservation is not the permit. Pick it up in person at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center wilderness desk the day before or the day of, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
•If your route is not one of the 17 named divisions, book All Other Climbs and put the route in the comment box.
•Spring closures land on some of the best walls. Confirm your route is open before the quarterly release, not after.

Weather Forecast

Trailhead (5,000 ft)

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Backcountry Tips

Windy conditions: Bring wind-resistant shelter if camping.

Today

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87°

63°

Thu

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87°

66°

Fri

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84°

67°

Sat

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85°

68°

Sun

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86°

67°

Mon

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74°

61°

27%

Tue

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77°

59°

View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.

How to Get This Permit

Create a Recreation.gov account

Know the release schedule

Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.

Be ready when permits drop

Monitor for cancellations

If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Book at Recreation.gov

Learn More

Best booking times Cancellation hunting Recreation.gov tips

Difficulty Assessment

Physical Demand3/5

Fitness and endurance required

Technical Skill3/5

Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills

Navigation3/5

Route finding and trail clarity

Commitment3/5

Difficulty of bailing out mid-route

Best For

Fit hikers with mountain experience ready to step into mountaineering.

Recommended Experience

Several strenuous hikes with 4,000+ ft elevation gain. Comfortable with exposed terrain.

Plan Your Trip

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Gear Checklist

Required and recommended gear for Zion Bivouac

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Shuttle Services

Trailhead transportation options

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Guide Services

Experienced wilderness guides

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Safety & Planning

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Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Zion Bivouac. Sign up to track this permit.

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Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit. Sign up to track this permit.

Zion Bivouac FAQ

Which Zion climbs need an overnight climbing permit?

Only the ones you sleep on. Recreation.gov defines overnight climbing as bivying on a wall, and says day climbs and fix-and-fire climbs that run past a day without sleeping on the wall need no permit at all. Bivying at the base or on the summit is not allowed either way.

How many climbers can bivy on one route per night?

Twelve. That is the park's stated cap, per route, per night, and it applies to each of the 17 named routes plus the All Other Climbs pool.

When does the Zion climbing permit reservation window open?

Quarterly at 10:00 a.m. MT, on the same calendar as Zion's other wilderness permits: December 5 for January to March trips, March 5 for April to June, June 5 for July to September, and September 5 for October to December.

Can a raptor closure shut down my permitted route?

Yes. Recreation.gov flags March 1 as the date seasonal raptor closures go into effect on some Zion walls, and tells climbers to check the park's Seasonal Climbing Closures page before booking. Check the route before you spend the $20.