Zion Canyoneering Permit — Pine Creek Canyon
Zion National Park · Utah
Technical canyoneering permit for Pine Creek Canyon in Zion National Park.
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Pine Creek Canyon reservation dates
- route distance, point to point
- 2mi
- elevation gain
- 100ft
- max group size
- 12people
Pine Creek Canyon elevation profile
Canyon Overlook Trailhead to Scenic Drive Exit1,050 ft of descent · 0.9% average grade
Canyon Overlook Trailhead
Parking lot on east side of tunnel. Entry point.
- Mile
- 0
- Elevation
- 5,150 ft
Pine Creek Canyon landmarks
How to get a Pine Creek Canyon permit
As of September 2026, Pine Creek Canyon in Zion National Park, Utah requires a permit issued via reservation. Pine Creek Canyon rates 6/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Pine Creek Canyon permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The Pine Creek Canyon route covers 2 miles with 100 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate.
- 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 Pine Creek Canyon: Live availability activityWhen Pine Creek Canyon permits open up
The Pine Creek Canyon hike
- Distance
- 2 miles
- Elevation Gain
- 100 ft
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 4-6 hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation Range
- 4,200 - 5,150 ft
Rappel directly alongside the famous Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway tunnel, exiting into the canyon carved by one of Zion's most dramatic engineering marvels.
About this permit
Pine Creek Canyon offers accessible Zion canyoneering with a unique twist: the route descends alongside the historic Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Five rappels up to 80 feet wind through a scenic slot before exiting near the Great Arch.
This is an excellent introduction to Zion technical canyons. Shorter than Mystery or Heaps but still requires proper skills and equipment.
The route
Access begins at the Canyon Overlook Trailhead parking lot on the east side of the tunnel. The first rappel drops directly beside the tunnel entrance into the Pine Creek drainage.
The middle section winds through a beautiful slot with several shorter rappels and some downclimbing. The canyon opens as it approaches the Great Arch area, visible from the road.
The exit deposits you on the canyon floor near the scenic drive, requiring a short hike or shuttle back to your vehicle.
Why it matters
Pine Creek offers an accessible introduction to Zion canyoneering while delivering a unique perspective on the park's history. You descend beside the 1.1-mile tunnel that made Zion accessible by road, dropping past the same sandstone formations that construction crews dynamited through in 1930. The combination of natural beauty and human engineering is found nowhere else.
The feeling
The first rappel takes you over the edge of the road cut where the tunnel begins. Traffic noise fades as you drop into the slot. The canyon narrows and the light changes. You're in a world of sculpted sandstone while cars pass invisibly through the mountain beside you. It's surreal, this juxtaposition of wilderness and infrastructure, and it makes Pine Creek unlike any other descent.
Pine Creek Canyon hike highlights
- 5 rappels up to 80 feet
- 2-mile technical descent
- 4-6 hours typical completion
- Minimal water (dry canyon most of year)
- Views of the Great Arch
How hard the Pine Creek Canyon hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required2/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills3/5
- Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential3/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route2/5
Best for: Canyoneers with basic skills looking for a Zion introduction. Fit hikers with rappelling experience.
Recommended experience: Basic rappelling skills. Should have done 3-5 introductory canyons elsewhere.
Not recommended for: Complete beginners (take a course first). Those uncomfortable with exposure.
When to hike Pine Creek Canyon
Best time to visit
Year-round when dry. Avoid monsoon season. Spring and fall offer best temperatures.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (4,200 ft)
Today
74°
55°
57%
Wed
87°
56°
Thu
88°
61°
Fri
85°
67°
Sat
87°
68°
Sun
88°
70°
Mon
82°
68°
Pine Creek Canyon photography guide
Golden Hour
Morning light illuminates the eastern walls of the slot. Afternoon creates interesting shadows.
Best Light
Midday allows light into the slot. Early morning for the first rappel with golden light on sandstone.
Beat the Crowds
The Canyon Overlook Trail is popular, but once you drop into the canyon, you'll be alone.
Classic Shots
- First rappel beside the tunnel
- Narrow slot section
- Great Arch from below
- Canyoneer silhouette against sky
- Tunnel portal from canyon
Pine Creek Canyon rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- 100-foot rope
- Canyoneering harness
- Rappel device
- Helmet
- Approach shoes (canyon is usually dry)
Recommended gear
- Knee pads for downclimbing
- Gloves for rope handling
- Snacks and water
- Camera with wide-angle
- Light layers
Rules & regulations
- 01Wilderness permit required
- 02Group size limit of 12 people: one of the five Zion canyons NPS allows 12 in, alongside Orderville, Keyhole, Pine Creek, the Left Fork (Subway) and the Narrows top-down; every other technical canyon is 6
- 03Enter from Canyon Overlook parking only
- 04Exit on park road (short walk)
- 05Shuttle or second car recommended
Hazards & considerations
- Flash floods (check weather carefully)
- Rockfall in upper canyon
- Exposure on first rappel beside road
- Heat in summer (no water in canyon)
- Road traffic at exit point
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Pine Creek Canyon.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Pine Creek Canyon · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Pine Creek Canyon FAQ
How do I get a Pine Creek Canyon permit?
PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Pine Creek Canyon cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Pine Creek Canyon permits use a reservation system.
When is the best time to visit Pine Creek Canyon?
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Pine Creek Canyon permit?
This permit has a demand score of 6/10, making it moderately competitive.
What if I can't get a Pine Creek 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.
Pine Creek Canyon trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Trip Reports
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Write the First ReportAlternatives to a Pine Creek Canyon permit
- Easier AlternativePermit required
Keyhole Canyon
Shorter and easier with only 3 short rappels. Best first Zion canyon.
Tradeoffs
Less technical but builds confidence. Good warm-up for Pine Creek.
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Orderville Canyon
Slightly more technical with water. Exits into The Narrows.
Tradeoffs
Longer day, requires wetsuit. More spectacular finale.
Where to stay near Pine Creek Canyon
- South Campground (Ut)Zion National Park
- Watchman CampgroundZion National Park
- Lava Point CampgroundZion National Park
- All Utah campgrounds
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