Zion Canyoneering Permit — Heaps Canyon
Zion National Park · Utah
Technical canyoneering permit for Heaps Canyon in Zion National Park.
Get an alert when Heaps Canyon opens on your dates.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Heaps Canyon were gone within 10 minutes.
Heaps Canyon reservation dates
- route distance, point to point
- 8mi
- elevation gain
- 500ft
- max group size
- 6people
Heaps Canyon elevation profile
Phantom Valley Trailhead to Virgin River Exit3,000 ft of descent · 1.2% average grade
Phantom Valley Trailhead
Starting point on Kolob Terrace Road.
- Mile
- 0
- Elevation
- 6,800 ft
Heaps Canyon landmarks
How to get a Heaps Canyon permit
As of September 2026, Heaps Canyon in Zion National Park, Utah requires a permit issued via reservation. Heaps Canyon is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Heaps Canyon permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The Heaps Canyon route covers 8 miles with 500 feet of elevation gain, rated expert.
- Type
- Canyoneering
- Location
- UT
Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
More on Heaps Canyon: Live availability activityWhen Heaps Canyon permits open up
The Heaps Canyon hike
- Distance
- 8 miles
- Elevation Gain
- 500 ft
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 12-16 hours
- Difficulty
- Expert
- Elevation Range
- 4,300 - 6,800 ft
Descend through Zion's most notorious technical canyon, where 14 rappels and chest-deep pools demand expert skills in one of the Southwest's premier canyoneering challenges.
About this permit
Heaps Canyon is Zion's most demanding technical canyoneering route. The descent includes 14 rappels (up to 300 feet), multiple keeper pools requiring swimming, and an 8-mile approach/exit. Expect 12-16 hours gate to gate.
This canyon has killed experienced canyoneers. It is not an introduction to the sport. Permit competition is fierce because qualified canyoneers recognize this as a bucket-list descent.
The route
Access begins at the Phantom Valley Trailhead with a long approach hike to the canyon rim. The first technical move is a 15-foot downclimb into the drainage. From here, the canyon begins its relentless descent.
The rappels come in quick succession: 60 feet, 80 feet, 120 feet. The slot narrows to arm's width while the walls rise overhead. Keeper pools force swims between rappels. The longest drop, a free-hanging 300-footer, offers no contact with the wall and no escape.
The final exits into the Virgin River near The Grotto, completing a day that typically runs 12-16 hours.
Why it matters
Heaps Canyon is the gold standard of Zion canyoneering. It's earned its reputation through sheer difficulty: 14 rappels (the longest 300 feet), mandatory keeper pools, and a commitment level that has claimed lives. Completing Heaps is a rite of passage. It separates casual canyoneers from those who've truly mastered the craft.
The feeling
The first rappel commits you. There's no walking out from here. Each rappel drops you deeper into a slot that grows narrower and darker. The water is always cold, always present. You swim through keeper pools that offer no ledge, no rest, just forward motion until the next anchor. Then the canyon opens and you're looking out over Zion Canyon from inside a cathedral of stone. You made it.
Heaps Canyon hike highlights
- 14 rappels ranging from 30 to 300 feet
- Multiple keeper pools (no standing, must swim)
- 8-mile total distance including approach
- 12-16 hours typical completion time
- No escape route once committed
How hard the Heaps Canyon hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required5/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills5/5
- Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential5/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity3/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route5/5
Best for: Expert canyoneers with extensive multi-pitch rappelling experience and strong swimming ability.
Recommended experience: Minimum 50 canyons including multiple Zion descents. Comfortable with 200+ foot rappels. Strong swimmer.
Not recommended for: Anyone without significant canyoneering experience. This canyon has killed people.
When to hike Heaps Canyon
Best time to visit
June-September for warmest water. Spring and fall are cold but offer lower flash flood risk. Never enter if rain is in any forecast for the watershed.
Heaps Canyon photography guide
Golden Hour
The slot receives almost no direct light. Bring a headlamp for photography in the dark sections.
Best Light
Midday offers the only chance for light beams in wider sections. Most of the canyon is perpetually dark.
Beat the Crowds
The permit system limits daily entries. You may see one other group on busy days, none on most.
Classic Shots
- Canyoneer silhouette on 300-foot rappel
- The narrow slot from below
- Swimming through keeper pools
- Exit view into Zion Canyon
- Light beams in wider sections
- Group at first anchor
Heaps Canyon rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- 200-foot rope minimum (300 ft recommended for double-strand on big drops)
- Full canyoneering harness
- Rappel device with backup friction capability
- Helmet (mandatory)
- Wetsuit (water is 55°F year-round)
Recommended gear
- Drysuit for spring/fall descents
- Pull cord for retrieving ropes
- Ascenders for emergency
- Waterproof containers for camera
- Energy food (high-calorie, compact)
Rules & regulations
- 01Wilderness permit required (lottery system)
- 02Group size limit of 6 people. Only Orderville, Keyhole, Pine Creek, the Left Fork (Subway) and the Narrows top-down are allowed 12
- 03Commercial guiding prohibited
- 04All gear must be self-provided
- 05No fixed gear may be left behind
Hazards & considerations
- Flash floods. Instant death in this canyon. Check weather obsessively.
- Hypothermia from extended cold water immersion
- Equipment failure on long drops has fatal consequences
- Keeper pools offer no rest. Must maintain swimming stamina.
- Rockfall. Loose terrain on approach and within canyon.
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Heaps Canyon.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Heaps Canyon · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Heaps Canyon FAQ
How do I get a Heaps Canyon permit?
PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Heaps Canyon cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Heaps Canyon permits use a reservation system.
When is the best time to visit Heaps Canyon?
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Heaps Canyon permit?
This permit has a demand score of 8/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
What if I can't get a Heaps Canyon permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.
Heaps Canyon trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
Sign in to report trail conditions.
Questions
No questions yet
Be the first to ask about Heaps Canyon.
Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a Heaps Canyon permit
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Mystery Canyon
Zion's second-most technical canyon. Similar commitment, slightly shorter rappels (120 ft max).
Tradeoffs
Still serious but more forgiving than Heaps. Good preparation route.
- Easier AlternativePermit required
Keyhole Canyon
Short, beginner-friendly canyon with 3 rappels under 30 feet.
Tradeoffs
Build skills here before attempting Heaps. Completely different experience level.
Plan the full trip, not just the permit
Build your full itinerary start to finish
Add your dates and get a day-by-day plan: what needs a permit, what gear to bring, and one link to share with your whole group to coordinate every step.
No permit needed to start
One tick helps us more than you’d think
Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our permit pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Takes less than a minute.