Zion National Park Overnight Climbing Permits
This page allosw you to book reservations for overnight climbing permits in Zion National Park. Overnight climbing is defined as bivying overnight on a wall. Day climbs, as well as "fix and fire" climbs that take more than a day but do not include sleeping on a wall do not require permits. Bivying at the base or summit of a wall is not allowed.
Find Overnight Wilderness Permits, canyoneering permits, and Angels Landing hiking permits on separate pages starting from the Recreation.gov Zion gateway page.
Some climbing areas close every year beginning March 1 to protect raptors that nest on Zion's cliff faces. Please make sure to check the Seasonal Climbing Closures web page to confirm whether the route you prefer is open.
Permit & Season Information
A permit is required for all overnight climbing bivys in Zion National Park. All persons who intend to sleep overnight, camp, or bivouac in the Wilderness, or who are in possession of equipment designed for overnight use in the backcountry, must obtain a Wilderness permit and prepare to present it to rangers or other park staff upon request.
- To minimize impact, the park issues a limited number of Wilderness permits.
- One Wilderness permit allows for up to 14 consecutive nights of climbing Zion's big walls.
- The permit is valid only for the number of people, dates and locations indicated.
- Overnight bivy permits are required for all overnight climbs in the park, year round. Bivying at the base of a route is not allowed.
- Typical climbing season is March to May and September to November. Winter can be cold and wet, while summer is usually very hot. Zion climbing routes are all on sandstone. Please do not climb on wet sandstone, as the fragile rock is likely to break under pressure when wet.
Need to Know
When planning your trip, please keep in mind:
- This page allows you to book permit reservations for an overnight climbing bivy. It does not guarantee that the route will be open or accessible on your permit date(s). Climbing routes, trails, campsites, and even the entire park may close due to fires, floods, rock falls, or other reasons.
- Many climbing routes close during the year due to nesting birds on or near the route. Check the Seasonal Climbing Closure page for more information.
- The park requires a Wilderness permit year-round for any overnight stay in the Zion Wilderness or on a climbing route.
- You may change your itinerary (subject to availability) in advance through your Recreation.gov user profile (“My Reservations”) or in person at a Zion Wilderness Permit Station. It is not possible to change your entry date. Increasing group size will incur additional fees.
- Permit reservation fees are non-refundable.
- Wilderness camping and travel is subject to Wilderness regulations. All trip participants are responsible for knowing and obeying Wilderness permit conditions.
- Your reservation confirmation email is not a Wilderness permit and cannot be used for Wilderness travel. Bring your reservation confirmation email and proof of identity to a Zion Wilderness Permit Station to pick up your permit.
- You must pick up your permit in person during Operating Hours at any Zion Wilderness Permit Station on the day before or the day of the permit entry date.
Fee Policy
Permit Reservation Fee: $20 per permit (non-refundable)
Per Person Fee: $7 per person per night (refundable)
The same fees are charged for for first-come, first-served permits that are issued in person. This fee supports the permit and reservation management system.
Cancellation Policy
Per person fee are refundable if the permit is cancelled or modified to a smaller group size before 5pm the day of the trip. The $20 permit fee is non-refundable in all circumstances.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
1 Zion Park Blvd Springdale UT 84767
Phone Number
435-772-0170
