Zion Canyoneering Permit — Imlay Canyon
Zion National Park · Utah
Technical canyoneering permit for Imlay Canyon in Zion National Park.
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Imlay Canyon reservation dates
- route distance, point to point
- 3mi
- elevation gain
- 300ft
- max group size
- 6people
Imlay Canyon elevation profile
West Rim Approach to Road Access2,500 ft of descent · 1.9% average grade
West Rim Approach
Cross-country route to canyon rim.
- Mile
- 0
- Elevation
- 7,000 ft
Imlay Canyon landmarks
How to get an Imlay Canyon permit
As of September 2026, Imlay Canyon in Zion National Park, Utah requires a permit issued via reservation. Imlay Canyon rates 6/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Imlay Canyon permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The Imlay Canyon route covers 3 miles with 300 feet of elevation gain, rated strenuous.
- 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 Imlay Canyon: Live availability activityWhen Imlay Canyon permits open up
The Imlay Canyon hike
- Distance
- 3 miles
- Elevation Gain
- 300 ft
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 6-8 hours
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Elevation Range
- 4,800 - 7,000 ft
Drop through a series of sculpted potholes and keeper pools where each rappel reveals new chambers of water-carved sandstone.
About this permit
Imlay Canyon features some of the most beautiful water-sculpted formations in Zion. The route descends through a series of perfect potholes connected by keeper pools, including a famous 'Subway-like' curving section.
Technical difficulty is moderate by Zion standards, but the aesthetic rewards are extraordinary. This is a photographer's canyon.
The route
Access via the West Rim Trail and a cross-country approach to the canyon rim. The technical section begins immediately with a series of rappels into progressively deeper potholes.
The famous 'Subway-like' section features a curving, tubular passage reminiscent of the more famous route. Multiple keeper pools require swimming between anchors.
The route exits into the main Zion Canyon via Right Fork, requiring a short hike to the road.
Why it matters
Imlay Canyon represents the aesthetic peak of Zion slot canyons. The potholes here are perfectly sculpted, the pools deep and clear. Technical difficulty is moderate, but the visual impact is extraordinary. This is the canyon that makes photographers cry.
The feeling
Each pothole is a sculpture. Water has spent millennia carving these perfect bowls into solid sandstone. You rappel into chambers that glow orange with reflected light, swim across pools that seem impossibly blue, and emerge into the next formation wondering how it gets any better. It does.
Imlay Canyon hike highlights
- 8+ rappels up to 60 feet
- Multiple keeper pools requiring swimming
- 3 miles including approach and exit
- 6-8 hours typical completion
- Pothole formations
How hard the Imlay Canyon hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required3/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills3/5
- Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential3/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity3/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route3/5
Best for: Intermediate canyoneers seeking beautiful formations. Photographers.
Recommended experience: 10+ canyons. Keeper pool experience. Navigation skills for approach.
Not recommended for: Those uncomfortable with route-finding. Non-swimmers.
When to hike Imlay Canyon
Best time to visit
June-September for warmest water. Potholes hold water year-round.
Imlay Canyon photography guide
Golden Hour
The sculpted potholes catch reflected light beautifully at any time. Overcast days provide the most even illumination.
Best Light
Midday allows some direct light into wider sections. Focus on the reflected glow in potholes.
Beat the Crowds
Less trafficked than Mystery or Heaps. Weekday trips offer solitude.
Classic Shots
- Sculpted pothole chambers
- Swimmer in clear blue pool
- Curved Subway-like passage
- Rappel into pothole
- Light reflecting off water
Imlay Canyon rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- 150-foot rope
- Canyoneering harness
- Rappel device
- Helmet
- Wetsuit
Recommended gear
- Waterproof camera housing
- Pull cord
- Knee pads
- Canyon shoes
- Energy food
Rules & regulations
- 01Wilderness permit required
- 02Group size limit of 6 people. Only Orderville, Keyhole, Pine Creek, the Left Fork (Subway) and the Narrows top-down are allowed 12
- 03Cross-country approach (no trail)
- 04Exit via Right Fork to road
- 05No commercial guiding
Hazards & considerations
- Flash floods
- Cold water immersion
- Keeper pools with no exit (must swim forward)
- Route-finding on cross-country approach
- Slippery pothole edges
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Imlay Canyon.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Imlay Canyon · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Imlay Canyon FAQ
How do I get a Imlay Canyon permit?
PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Imlay Canyon cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Imlay Canyon permits use a reservation system.
When is the best time to visit Imlay Canyon?
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Imlay Canyon permit?
This permit has a demand score of 6/10, making it moderately competitive.
What if I can't get a Imlay 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.
Imlay Canyon trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions(5)
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Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to an Imlay Canyon permit
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
The Subway
The famous tubular formation. Similar aesthetics, different location.
Tradeoffs
More iconic but harder permits. Similar difficulty.
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Spry Canyon
Another pothole canyon with beautiful formations.
Tradeoffs
Less famous, similarly beautiful. Good alternative when Imlay is full.
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