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Angels Landing
Required permit for the chain-assisted climb to Angels Landing—Zion's most famou...
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ReservationOvernightHigh Demand
Zion Overnight Wilderness Permit
The backpacking permit for Zion's wilderness. You reserve a specific camp area for each night, from the West Rim's cliff-edge sites to Kolob's La Verkin Creek.
“A bucket-list destination in Zion.”
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Be notified instantly when Zion Wilderness permits become available due to cancellations.
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Get availability alerts
Be notified instantly when Zion Wilderness permits become available due to cancellations.
Join 2,800+ permit hunters using PermitSnag
Zion Wilderness Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh8/10
SeasonJanuary 1 - December 31
Cost$20 per permit plus $7 per person per night
Max Group Size12 people
Zion Wilderness Permit Facts
- As of August 2026, Zion Wilderness in Zion National Park, Utah & BLM requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Zion Wilderness is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Zion Wilderness runs January 1 through December 31.
- Cancelled Zion Wilderness permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Key Dates
SeasonJanuary 1 - December 31
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level8/10
LocationSouthwest Utah
Pro Tips
- •The quarterly release is the main event and cancellations are the second chance. Sites come back throughout the season as trips fall apart.
- •West Rim sites 1 through 6 sit closest to the rim views. They go first.
- •You still have to collect the paper permit in Springdale, so build the visitor center stop into your drive-in day.
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: January 1Shoulder: Spring and Fall
Conditions
Season typically runs January 1 to December 31.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Longest days
- +Warmest temperatures
- +Reliable trail conditions
Challenges
- !Peak demand for permits
- !Book accommodations early
- !Weather varies
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand1/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Hikers of moderate fitness willing to put in the effort.
Recommended Experience
Basic hiking experience. Start with shorter trails if new to hiking.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Zion Wilderness 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.
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Zion Wilderness
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
Browse all guidesSome links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Zion Wilderness FAQ
When do Zion overnight wilderness permits become available?
In quarterly blocks at 10:00 a.m. MT. Recreation.gov lists the release dates for permit 4675338 as December 5 for January 1 to March 31 trips, March 5 for April 1 to June 30, June 5 for July 1 to September 30, and September 5 for October 1 to December 31. Set an alert for the block that covers your dates, then watch for cancellations after it opens.
Do I pick a campsite or a zone with this permit?
A camp area. Recreation.gov sells 36 of them and each one is its own line in the availability grid. West Rim has nine numbered sites, La Verkin Creek has thirteen, Southwest Desert has six, Hop Valley has two, and East Rim, Wildcat Canyon, Lower Right Fork and Southeast Slickrock are single areas. Book the area you want to sleep in on each night of the trip.
Does the reservation count as my Zion wilderness permit?
No. Recreation.gov is blunt about it: the confirmation is a reservation, not a permit. You pick the permit up in person at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center wilderness desk, either the day before or the day of your trip. The desk runs 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily and the park says to allow 20 minutes. Kolob Canyons Visitor Center does not issue them.
How big a group can one Zion wilderness permit cover?
Twelve people. Zion counts a group as anyone who knows each other on the same trail or route on the same day, so splitting a party of 16 into two bookings for the same trail on the same day is not allowed.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
Questions
Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Golden hour at Zion Wilderness 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 Wilderness
- 📍Zion scenery
- 📍Trail or route documentation
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Zion Wilderness trip
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