Virgin River Narrows Permits

Important Note

The information below is for the 16-mile hike down from Chamberlain's Ranch. This is a permitted hike that begins outside the park. If you wish to hike The Narrows starting from Zion Canyon, visit our "The Narrows from the Bottom Up" page. The bottom-up route does not require a permit.

 

 

Hiking The Narrows top-down is an immersive journey through one of the most incredible slot canyons in the world.

NPS Photo

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Sixteen-mile trips through the Virgin River Narrows, from Chamberlain's Ranch to the Temple of Sinawava, can be done as a very long single-day hiking trip or as a single overnight backpacking trip. Multi-night backpacking trips through the Virgin River Narrows are not permitted. Keep in mind that The Narrows may close at any time due to high water, flash flooding, or other factors. Come up with backup plans in case your first and second choices are not available.

At least 80% of the route is spent wading, walking, and swimming sections of the river. There is no maintained trail – the river is the route. The current is swift, the water is cold, and the rocks underfoot are slippery. While preparing for your trip, consider your interests, time, and the ability level of your group. Wilderness Permits do not provide a safety net — you are responsible for your personal safety.

If 16 miles is too strenuous for your group, consider hiking The Narrows bottom-up route instead. The bottom-up route is an out-and-back hike that does not require a permit.

Use the resources below to help plan your experience:

• Narrows Safety
• Narrows Regulations
• Narrows Campsite Descriptions
• Zion Wilderness Guide
• Wilderness Transportation - Permit holders must arrange their own transportation to the Chamberlain's Ranch Trailhead.

 

Day Trip or Overnight Trip?

Single-Day Hiking Trip

If you plan to complete all 16 miles of the Virgin River Narrows in a single day, then you need to obtain a Wilderness permit for your group for the date of your trip. This Wilderness permit will allow your group to start at Chamberlain's Ranch Trailhead, hike 16 miles through the Virgin River, and exit at the Temple of Sinawava on the same day.

• Zion National Park Canyoneering Advanced Reservations is where you can apply for permits at least 1 day in advance of your desired trip date. You cannot get same-day permits through advance reservations.

• Zion National Park Canyoneering Daily Lottery is where you can apply for a chance to obtain last-minute permits for a single-day hiking trip. These permits are only available two days before your desired trip date — you cannot get same-day or next-day permits through the daily lottery.
  • Applications can be submitted two days prior to a trip date, between 12:00 am and 3:00 pm MT. Results are sent via email around 4:00 pm MT.

  • The lottery is limited to one application per individual, with the option to select up to four canyons.

• Any spaces not taken through the Daily Lottery will be available on a first-come, first-served basis the day before a trip date. Permits can be obtained in person at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center Wilderness Desk during normal hours of operation.

Overnight Backpacking Trip

If you plan to complete all 16 miles of the Virgin River Narrows as an overnight backpacking trip, then you need to obtain a Wilderness permit for your campsite in the Narrows for the night of your trip. This Wilderness permit will allow your group to start at Chamberlain's Ranch Trailhead, spend one night in a designated Narrows campsite, and then exit at the Temple of Sinawava the next day.

• Zion National Park Overnight Narrows Permits is where you can apply for permits at least 1 day in advance of your desired trip start date. You cannot get same-day permits through advance reservations.

• Half of the backpacking campsites in Zion Wilderness are available on a first-come, first-served walk-in basis. Permits can be obtained the day before or in early morning on the day of the trip.
  • Permits must be obtained in person at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center Wilderness Desk during normal hours of operation.
  • Download the Zion Wilderness Map or full Zion Wilderness Guide to view which campsites are available online and which campsites are only available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Recreation.gov Links

Zion recreation.gov home page is where you can see all Zion permit pages. The links below will let you check availability and apply for The Narrows top-down hikes.

• Narrows Overnight backpacking reservations can be made here.

• Top-down in a day Advanced Reservations can be made here.

• Top-down in a day Daily Lottery Applications can be made here.

 

Obtain Your Wilderness Permit

All Wilderness permits must be obtained in-person at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center Wilderness Desk. Plan your trip itinerary to allow sufficient time to obtain your permit the day of or the day before your trip during our hours of operation.

• Allow for at least 20 minutes to obtain a permit. Come prepared with all vehicle(s) information: make, model, and license plate.
• The individual listed as the reservation holder must be the one to obtain the permit. Please plan accordingly.

Wilderness Permit Fees

Day Use / Canyoneering Permit Fees

The reservation fee (in lieu of the lottery application fee) and per person fee are also charged for first-come, first-served permits that are issued in person.

• Lottery Application Fee or Advance Reservation Fee: $6 lottery application / reservation fee (non-refundable)
• Per Person Fee: $10 per person (refundable)

Overnight Permit Fees

The same fees are charged for reservations as well as first-come, first-served permits that are issued in person.

• Permit Fee: $20 per permit (non-refundable)
• Per Person Fee: $7 per person per night (refundable)

Wilderness Permits are Non-Transferable

Traveling in the Zion Wilderness requires careful planning and preparation. Permit holders assume the responsibility of ensuring that their group is aware of the risks involved, is self-reliant, has developed a back-up plan, and will follow park regulations. Because these are such important aspects of trip planning and resource protection, permits for trips into the Zion Wilderness are non-transferable.

If you cannot participate in your trip, please cancel your reservation to provide opportunities for others. If other members of your group still wish to participate in a planned trip, you may coordinate with a new prospective permit holder for them to immediately reserve the available spaces or sites, as soon as your reservation has been cancelled.

You may cancel your reservation online by logging in to your recreation.gov account. As soon as your reservation is cancelled, those spaces or sites will immediately be available for someone else to obtain through the reservations page.

Plan your trip itinerary to allow sufficient time to obtain your permit the day of, or day before the trip during Zion Wilderness Desk Hours of Operation. The individual listed on reservation must be the one to obtain the permit, please plan accordingly.

 

Zion Express Membership

Zion Express Membership allows visitors who regularly visit the park, and are familiar with park resources, to obtain express access to create online reservations and convert them into Wilderness Permits from home.

• To become a member, applicants must watch three orientation films at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center Wilderness Desk. (Membership cannot be obtained in Kolob Canyons.)

• After watching the films, applicants will sign a Zion Express Program Agreement form. Their express access will be linked to their recreation.gov account.

• There is no cost for enrollment. Membership is valid for three years from the date they signed up. Memberships may be cancelled if any regulations are violated.