Zion Overnight Climbing (Bivouac) Permit
Zion National Park · Utah
The permit for sleeping on a Zion wall. Required only if you bivy on the route. Moonlight Buttress, Spaceshot, Touchstone and 14 other named climbs each carry their own nightly quota.
Get an alert when Zion Bivouac opens on your dates.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Zion Bivouac were gone within 10 minutes.
Zion Bivouac reservation dates
- daily quota
- 12people
- max group size
- 12people
How to get a Zion Bivouac permit
As of September 2026, Zion Bivouac in Zion National Park, Utah requires a permit issued via reservation. Zion Bivouac is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Zion Bivouac permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens.
- Type
- Climbing
- Location
- Southwest Utah, 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.
Zion Bivouac pro tips
- The reservation is not the permit. Pick it up in person at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center wilderness desk the day before or the day of, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- If your route is not one of the 17 named divisions, book All Other Climbs and put the route in the comment box.
- Spring closures land on some of the best walls. Confirm your route is open before the quarterly release, not after.
More on Zion Bivouac: Live availability activityWhen Zion Bivouac permits open up
How much a Zion Bivouac permit costs
Zion Bivouac permit fee: $20 per permit plus $7 per person per night.
The Zion Bivouac climb
How hard the Zion Bivouac climb is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required3/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills3/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity3/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route3/5
Best for: Fit hikers with mountain experience ready to step into mountaineering.
Recommended experience: Several strenuous hikes with 4,000+ ft elevation gain. Comfortable with exposed terrain.
When to climb Zion Bivouac
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
74°
55°
57%
Wed
87°
56°
Thu
82°
60°
Fri
85°
67°
Sat
87°
68°
Sun
88°
70°
Mon
82°
68°
Zion Bivouac rules, gear and safety
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Zion Bivouac.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Zion Bivouac · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Zion Bivouac FAQ
Which Zion climbs need an overnight climbing permit?
Only the ones you sleep on. Recreation.gov defines overnight climbing as bivying on a wall, and says day climbs and fix-and-fire climbs that run past a day without sleeping on the wall need no permit at all. Bivying at the base or on the summit is not allowed either way.
How many climbers can bivy on one route per night?
Twelve. That is the park's stated cap, per route, per night, and it applies to each of the 17 named routes plus the All Other Climbs pool.
When does the Zion climbing permit reservation window open?
Quarterly at 10:00 a.m. MT, on the same calendar as Zion's other wilderness permits: December 5 for January to March trips, March 5 for April to June, June 5 for July to September, and September 5 for October to December.
Can a raptor closure shut down my permitted route?
Yes. Recreation.gov flags March 1 as the date seasonal raptor closures go into effect on some Zion walls, and tells climbers to check the park's Seasonal Climbing Closures page before booking. Check the route before you spend the $20.
Zion Bivouac route conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a Zion Bivouac permit
Where to stay near Zion Bivouac
- South Campground (Ut)Zion National Park
- Watchman CampgroundZion National Park
- Lava Point CampgroundZion National Park
- All Utah campgrounds
Plan the full trip, not just the permit
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