Southern Utah Hikes Requiring Permits (Full List + How to Apply)

Which Hikes Require Permits in Southern Utah? (2026 Updates)

Planning a trip to Southern Utah sounds simple—until you realize some of the most iconic hikes in Utah's National Parks require permits months in advance. This is one of the biggest mistakes first-time visitors make: They assume they can just show up and hike. You can’t.Several of the most popular hikes in Southern Utah use lottery systems, limited daily quotas, or advance reservations—and if you don’t plan ahead, you won't be hiking them on your vacation to Southern Utah.

Here’s exactly which hikes require permits in Southern Utah, how they work, and how to plan around them.

Why Do Some Hikes Require Permits?

Permits are in place to:

• Protect fragile desert environments that can be harmed by overtourism
• Limit overcrowding in delicate and small spaces
• Improve safety on high-risk trails (think the chains on Angels Landing)
• Preserve the experience

Without them, many of these places would be completely overrun, ruining the experience (as well as the landscape.)

FULL BREAKDOWN ON PERMITTED HIKES IN SOUTHERN UTAH AND NORTHERN ARIZONA

1. Angels Landing

Permit Required: Yes (Lottery System)

Fees: Non-refundable $6 per application that covers up to 6 hikers (then $3 per person if awarded)

Location: Zion National Park

Difficulty: Strenuous

You need a permit for the chains section. You can hike the first section up Walter's Wiggles to Scout's Landing without a permit.

How it works and where to apply:

• Seasonal lottery (1-3 months in advance)
• Day-before lottery (limited backup option 1 day prior to hike)
• Apply via Recreation.gov or by going HERE to choose advanced or daily

If this hike matters to you, plan your trip around it. Apply for the advanced lottery then plan the rest of your itinerary around the date that you win.Information on how to apply from the National Park Service HERE.

2. The Subway

Permit Required: Yes (Lottery System)

Fees: Non-refundable $6 per application (then $10 per person if awarded)

Location: Zion National Park

Difficulty: Strenuous // Route-Finding Required

You need a permit for the entirety of the trail. The park doesn't differentiate from top-down or bottom-up route when it comes to daily quota.

Two routes:

• Bottom-up (most common) – this is the hiking route that is non-technical (roundtrip is approximately 9 miles)
• Top-down (technical canyoneering)

How it works and where to apply:

• Only 80 people are allowed in the Subway PER day, and this includes both routes. 75% of permits are awarded in the seasonal lottery and the remainder 25% in the daily lottery
• Maximum group size is 12 hikers per group
• Seasonal lottery (1-3 months in advance) and you can apply HERE // pay attention to the application dates as it's usually only a 3 week period where you can apply for a 3 month period
• Day-before lottery (apply 2 days prior to desired hike date) and can apply HERE (this is the daily canyoneering lottery but you can hike the bottom-up via this permit -- you do NOT have to canyoneer)
• Check the calendar for any unreleased permits (these are usually only available fall and winter, as all permits are claimed in the busy season)

If this hike matters to you, plan your trip around it. Apply for the advanced lottery then plan the rest of your itinerary around the date that you win.Information on the hike and how to apply from the National Park Service HERE.

3. Fiery Furnace

Permit Required: Yes

Fees: $10 per person for self-guided or $16 per person for Ranger-led hike

Location: Arches National Park

Difficulty: Moderate with route-finding required

This is not a trail—it’s a maze with route-finding required. You won't find any marked trails other than small brown arrows pointing you the correct way.

How it works and where to apply:

• Permits are released 7 days in advance and they sell-out quickly in the high season.
• Self-guided permit allows you to hike the furnace on your own and can book HERE
• Ranger-led hike takes about 2.5 hours and you join and can book HERE
• Only 75 people are permitted in the Furnace every day and hikers must be at least 5 years old. Children under the age of 5 are NOT permitted.
• I highly recommend downing a trek from AllTrails or a GPX, as its very easy to get turned around within the Fiery Furnace.
• Another important note is you make the reservation online, however you must pick up your permit in person either the day before or morning of your hike and ALL group members must be present to watch an educational video prior to entering the furnace.
• Be sure to find Surprise Arch and Skull Arch. Surprise Arch is one of my favorite arches in all of Utah.

4. Kanarraville Falls

Permit Required: Yes (Reservation Required)

Fees: $15 per person for ages 8+ // ages 7 and under are FREE

Location: Kanarraville, Utah (near Zion National Park)

Difficulty: Moderate

This is one of the most popular slot canyon hikes near Zion and outside of the National Parks, featuring multiple water crossings, ladders, and a waterfall climb. This is great alternative to the Narrows, and perfect for kids, as this hike is easier than the Narrows in terms of water depth.Permits are required for this hike, as this is on private property. Permits WILL be checked at the start of the hike before you are allowed entry.

How it works and where to apply:

• Reservations required in advance and these can sell out quickly, especially on the weekends
• Limit of 200 permits for any given day
• Apply via the Kanarra Creek permit system or by going HERE
• The website to book permits also shows a real-time of how many permits are available on any given day

Flash flood risk still applies—always check weather conditions before hiking. See Slot Canyon Safety Guide: Flash Flood Risks & How to Stay Safe

5. The Wave

Permit Required: Yes (Lottery System)

Fees: $9 per application (non-refundable) + $7 per person if awarded

Location: Coyote Buttes North (Arizona/Utah border)

Difficulty: Moderate (navigation required)This is one of the most iconic—and hardest to get—permits in the Southwest and United State. There is no marked trail. You’ll be navigating across open desert using wayfinding skills, GPS, or map guidance.Permits are extremely limited and demand is high, which makes this one of the most competitive hikes in the U.S.

How it works and where to apply:

• Advance lottery (opens 4 months in advance) and can apply HERE
• Daily lottery (2 days before your hike date; must be in the designated geofence area to apply) and can apply HERE
• There is no shade, no water, and navigation errors can quickly turn into a serious situation. SAR calls occur here multiple times a year so be prepared. If you need a GPX trek to follow, you can find mine HERE, but do not rely solely on this. It's a one way route from the trailhead to the Wave itself.

If this hike matters to you, build flexibility into your trip and have backup options planned—most people do not get this permit. A few alternatives I would recommend would be White Pocket or Buckskin Gulch. White Pocket DOES require high-clearance and deep sand driving so that's another place you need to be prepared for.

6. Coyote Buttes South

Permit Required: Yes (Reservation + Lottery System)

Fees: $6 per application (non-refundable) + $5 per person if awarded

Location: Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness (Arizona/Utah border)

Difficulty: Moderate (remote + navigation required)

Coyote Buttes South is often considered a less competitive alternative to The Wave—but it still requires advance planning and a permit.This area includes unique formations like the “Cottonwood Teepees” and other colorful sandstone features, with far fewer crowds than Coyote Buttes North.There are no marked trails. You’ll be navigating across remote desert terrain, often requiring route finding and GPS.

How it works and where to apply:

• Advanced Permits (opens 4 months in advance) and can apply HERE but this is NOT a lottery like The Wave. The first of the month, all 10 permits available will open for each day. This is first come first served so if you know your travel dates, login on the 1st to guarantee your day of choice.
• Daily lottery (2 days before your hike date; must be in the designated geofence area to apply) and can apply HERE
• Only 20 people are awarded permits per day, 10 in the advanced reservation system and 10 in the daily lottery
• Four-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle is required for Cottonwood Cove & Paw Hole Trailheads. The roads accessing these trailheads are composed of deep sand with sections of rough rock.
• Lone Tree is the only trailhead that may be accessible with a two-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle when road conditions are good. However, accessing the permit area using this option adds an additional 5-mile round trip hike through deep sand.

Official permit information from the Bureau of Land Management HERE.

7. The Narrows (Top-Down ONLY)

Permit Required: Yes (for top-down route only)

Fees: $5 per application (non-refundable) + $15 per person if awarded

Location: Zion National Park

Difficulty: Strenuous (16 miles, point-to-point)The Narrows can be hiked two ways:

• Bottom-up (no permit required, out-and-back from Temple of Sinawava) No permit required for this route, although planning is necessary because a shuttle is required in Zion Canyon from March-November.
• Top-down (permit required, full 16-mile route)

The top-down route is a full-day or overnight hike through the Virgin River, requiring route awareness, endurance, and favorable conditions.

How it works and where to apply:

• Advance reservations open months in advance, usually by season
• All permit information can be found HERE from the NPS with links to apply.

Permits are required for both day hikes (top-down) and overnight backpacking trips.This hike is entirely dependent on conditions. Flash floods and high water flow can close the route—always check current conditions at the Visitor Center before your trip. Typically The Narrows will CLOSE if flow exceeds 150 cf/s, and it's not uncommon for it to close for heavy snowmelt in April/May so keep this in mind if you're planning a spring trip. Real time water flow can be found HERE. More information on the 16 mile route can be found via the NPS HERE

How to Plan Around Permit Hikes

People build their itinerary first… then check permits. That’s backwards, as you can't guarantee a date that you will win.

Do this instead when building your itinerary:

1. Decide which permit hikes matter most
2. Apply for those first
3. Build your itinerary around what you actually win

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking Permits in Southern Utah

Do you need a permit for Angels Landing?

Yes. A permit is required to hike the chains section of Angels Landing. You can hike up to Scout's Landing without a permit.You can apply through:

• A seasonal lottery (months in advance)
• A day-before lottery (limited availability)

If you don’t get a permit, you can still hike up to Scout Lookout, but not beyond. Which this isn't a bad consolation. If I'm being honest, I prefer the view from Observation Point more than I do Angels Landing, so if you don't win, hike up to Scout's Landing but pivot to hike Observation Point instead.

How hard is it to get a permit for The Wave?

Very difficult. Very, Very Difficult. It took me 63 failures before I won the first time. SIXTY-THREE over the course of 8 years and I won the 64th application. Now, do some people win on the The Wave is one of the most competitive permits in the United States, with low odds in both the advance and daily lottery systems.If this hike is a priority, you should:

• Apply in advance
• Have everyone in your group apply for the permit
• Have multiple backup hikes planned

Do all slot canyons in Southern Utah require permits?

No.Most slot canyons—especially in Grand Staircase–Escalante and the Kanab area—do not require permits.However:

• Some do (like Kanarraville Falls)
• Flash flood risk applies to all slot canyons
• Some require high-clearance vehicle access

Always check conditions and access requirements before you go. See Slot Canyon Safety Guide: Flash Flood Risks & How to Stay Safe

Do you need a permit for Fiery Furnace?

Yes.You must either:

• Reserve a self-guided permit
• Join a ranger-led hike

This area is a maze with no marked trails, which is why access is limited. You cannot show up and book a permit.

Do you need a permit for Kanarraville Falls?

Yes.Kanarraville Falls requires a reservation in advance, with limited daily permits.This surprises a lot of visitors because it is not within a National Park—but you cannot show up without a permit.

When should I apply for permits in Southern Utah?

As early as possible.Some permits open months in advance, and the most popular hikes fill quickly. Familiarize yourself with the permit process for each hike you want to do and be ready to apply as soon as the window opens.Best approach:

• Identify your must-do hikes first
• Apply for permits before booking the rest of your trip

What happens if I don’t get the permits I want?

You adjust your itinerary and try for the daily lottery on the dates that you want. This is why flexibility matters when planning your Southern Utah trip. There are hundreds of incredible hikes that don’t require permits, but you need to be willing to pivot if you don’t secure the ones you originally planned.

Are permits included in the America the Beautiful Pass?

No.The America the Beautiful Pass only covers entry fees into the National Parks.

Final Thoughts

Southern Utah is not a place you can “show up and figure it out” once you get here. Between permits, distances, weather, and logistics—you don’t know what you don’t know until you’re in it. That’s how people end up missing the hikes they planned their entire trip around.Plan ahead—even just a little—and your trip will look completely different.

Is this your first trip? Be sure to read all about Common Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make AND How to Avoid them

Planning a Trip to Southern Utah?

I’ve spent 10+ years exploring the Southwest, and THIS digital guide is everything I’d actually recommend—organized so you can build your trip without second-guessing every stop. It has hikes, scenic drives, overlooks, and 7 pre-built itineraries so you can plan it right the first time. Click the map above to learn more.

See you out there,

Mallory