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Zion Overnight Climbing (Bivouac) Permit wilderness permit area in Zion National Park - backcountry hiking destination
ReservationClimbingHigh Demand

Zion Overnight Climbing (Bivouac) Permit

Zion National Park

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.

Summit Zion Bivouac in Zion.

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Demand
High
7/10
Method
Reservation
Cost
$20 per permit plus $7 per person per night
Daily Quota
12 people
Booking Method
Reservation

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 August 2026, Zion Bivouac in Zion National Park, Utah & BLM 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.

Key Information

Permit Details

TypeClimbing
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level7/10
LocationSouthwest Utah

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.

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.

When to Go

Peak: June through SeptemberShoulder: May and October

Conditions

Early season climbing. Snow routes may be in prime condition.

Crowd Level

Moderate

Advantages

  • +Technical routes in condition
  • +Fewer crowds
  • +Cooler approach temps

Challenges

  • !Avalanche hazard
  • !Variable conditions
  • !Winter skills required

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.

The Experience

Why It Matters

Zion Bivouac draws visitors from around the world to Zion. The permit system balances access with preservation, ensuring the experience remains worthwhile for those who make the journey.

Safety & Planning

🚨

Emergency Info

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

🐻

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.

👥Community

Trail Conditions

Questions

Trip Reports

Write Report

Photography Guide

Golden Hour

Golden hour at Zion Bivouac offers the best photography conditions with warm, directional light.

Best Light

Early morning typically provides the clearest conditions and best light quality.

Beat the Crowds

Weekdays and early mornings see fewer visitors for cleaner compositions.

Classic Shots

  • 📍Classic view of Zion Bivouac
  • 📍Zion scenery
  • 📍Trail or route documentation

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