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

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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 require permits, and some need to be secured months before your trip.

This is one of the biggest mistakes first-time visitors make. They assume they can just show up and hike. You can't.

Angels Landing, The Subway, The Wave, Fiery Furnace, and several other popular hikes use lotteries, advance reservations, or limited daily permit systems. If one of these hikes is a priority, you don't want to build your entire itinerary first and discover afterward that you needed a permit.

Here's exactly which hikes require permits in Southern Utah and Northern Arizona in 2026, how each permit system works, when to apply, and how to plan your trip around the permits you actually get.

Why Do Some Hikes Require Permits?

Permits are in place to:

• Protect fragile desert environments that can be damaged by overtourism
• Limit overcrowding in small or sensitive areas
• Improve safety on higher-risk trails, like the chains section of Angels Landing
• Preserve the experience for visitors

Without permit systems, many of these places could quickly become overcrowded, impacting both the landscape and the experience of visiting them.

Important: Distances are approximate and depend on the route. The Narrows only requires a hiking permit for the top-down route; the standard bottom-up hike does not. Zion Wilderness permits must be picked up in person unless you qualify for its express program. Coyote Buttes South requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle to access its trailheads. Permit fees, availability, and regulations can change, so check the official links before your trip. National park entrance fees are separate.

Full Breakdown of Hikes Requiring Permits in Southern Utah and Northern Arizona

1. Angels Landing

Permit Required: Yes, lottery system

Fees: Non-refundable $6 application fee for groups of up to 6 people, plus $3 per person if awarded

Location: Zion National Park

Difficulty: Strenuous

You need a permit for the chains section of Angels Landing. You can hike Walter's Wiggles and continue to Scout Lookout without a permit.

How it works and where to apply:

• Seasonal lottery, typically 1–3 months in advance
• Day-before lottery, which provides a limited backup option
• Apply through Recreation.gov or the National Park Service Angels Landing permit page

2. The Subway

Permit Required: Yes, lottery system

Fees: Non-refundable $6 application fee, plus $10 per person if awarded

Location: Zion National Park

Difficulty: Strenuous, route-finding required

You need a permit for the entire Subway route. Zion National Park does not separate the top-down and bottom-up routes when determining the daily permit quota.

There are two ways to hike The Subway:

• Bottom-up: The most common route and the non-technical hiking option, approximately 9 miles roundtrip
• Top-down: A technical canyoneering route

How it works and where to apply:

• Only 80 people are permitted in The Subway per day, including both routes
• 75% of permits are awarded through the seasonal lottery, with the remaining 25% available through the daily lottery
• Maximum group size is 12 people
• The seasonal lottery opens 1–3 months in advance. You can apply for the seasonal lottery here. Pay close attention to application dates because the application window is typically only about three weeks for a three-month permit period.
• The daily lottery opens 2 days before your desired hike date. You can apply for the daily lottery here. This is listed as the daily canyoneering lottery, but you can use this permit for the bottom-up route. You do not have to canyoneer.
• Check the permit calendar for any unreleased permits. These are more commonly available during fall and winter because permits are typically claimed during the busy season.

If hiking The Subway is a priority, apply for the seasonal lottery first and then build the rest of your itinerary around the date you win.

You can also find The Subway hiking and permit information from Zion National Park here.

3. Fiery Furnace

Permit Required: Yes

Fees: $10 per person for a self-guided permit or $16 per person for a ranger-led hike

Location: Arches National Park

Difficulty: Moderate with route-finding required

This is not a traditional trail. Fiery Furnace is a maze of narrow sandstone passages with numerous possible routes and dead ends. There are small markers along one route, but it is still very easy to get turned around.

How it works and where to apply:

• Self-guided permits can be reserved up to 7 days in advance and must be reserved at least 2 days before your hike. Permits frequently sell out during the busy season.
• A self-guided permit allows you to explore Fiery Furnace on your own. Reserve a self-guided Fiery Furnace permit here.
• Ranger-led hikes are also available and require advance reservations. Reserve a ranger-led Fiery Furnace hike here.
• Hikers must be at least 5 years old. Children under 5 are not permitted.
• I highly recommend downloading an offline map or GPX route before you go, but don't rely solely on GPS. The tall sandstone walls can interfere with GPS reception, and it's very easy to get turned around inside Fiery Furnace.
• If you're hiking self-guided, you must pick up your permit in person at the Arches Visitor Center either the day before or the day of your hike. Everyone in your group must be present to watch the required educational video and complete the orientation.
• Be sure to find Surprise Arch and Skull Arch. Surprise Arch is one of my favorite arches in all of Utah.

4. Kanarra Falls

Permit Required: Yes, reservation required

Fees: $15 per person for ages 8+; children ages 7 and under are free

Location: Kanarraville, Utah, near Zion National Park

Difficulty: Moderate

Kanarra Falls is one of the most popular slot canyon hikes near Zion and outside of the national parks, featuring multiple water crossings, ladders, and waterfalls. It's a great alternative to The Narrows, especially if you're looking for a shorter slot canyon hike with typically shallower water. Keep in mind that water levels can vary significantly, particularly during spring runoff.

Permits are required because the hike crosses private land, and permits are checked at the trailhead before entry.

How it works and where to apply:

• There is a limit of 200 general admission permits per day
• Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially during spring, summer, and weekends when dates can sell out weeks in advance
• If permits have not sold out, they may also be purchased at the trailhead, but this is not guaranteed
• Reserve your Kanarra Falls permit here
• Children ages 7 and under are free, but they still need a ticket when booking
• The booking system shows current availability for each date

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

5. The Wave

Permit Required: Yes, lottery system

Fees: $6 non-refundable application fee + $7 per person if awarded

Location: Coyote Buttes North, Arizona/Utah border

Difficulty: Moderate, navigation required

The Wave is one of the most iconic and hardest-to-get hiking permits in the Southwest. There is no developed trail, so you'll be navigating across open desert using wayfinding skills, GPS, and map guidance.

Permits are extremely limited and demand is high, making this one of the most competitive hiking permits in the United States.

How it works and where to apply:

• The advance lottery is four months in advance. You can apply for The Wave advance lottery here.
• The daily lottery opens two days before your desired hiking date, and you must be within the designated geofence area to apply. You can apply for The Wave daily lottery here.
• There is no water or developed trail, and there is very little shade. Navigation mistakes can quickly become a serious situation, so come prepared.
• If you want a GPX track to help with navigation, you can find my route to The Wave here, but do not rely solely on GPS. The route is approximately 6.4 miles roundtrip from the trailhead to The Wave and back.

If this hike matters to you, build flexibility into your trip and have backup options planned because getting a permit is extremely competitive.

If you don't win, two alternatives I recommend are White Pocket and Buckskin Gulch. White Pocket requires significantly more preparation because accessing it involves remote, sandy roads where a high-clearance 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended.

6. Coyote Buttes South

Permit Required: Yes, advance reservation or daily lottery

Fees: $6 non-refundable application fee for the daily lottery + $5 per person if awarded

Location: Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Arizona/Utah border

Difficulty: Moderate, remote with 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 or designated hiking routes, so you'll be navigating across remote desert terrain using route-finding skills, GPS, and maps.

How it works and where to apply:

• Advance permits become available four months ahead of the permit month. Unlike The Wave's advance lottery, these permits are released through a first-come, first-served calendar. Apply for an advance Coyote Buttes South permit here.
• The daily lottery opens two days before your desired hiking date. You must apply from a mobile device while inside the designated geofence. Apply for the Coyote Buttes South daily lottery here.
• Only 20 people are permitted to visit Coyote Buttes South each day. Up to 10 people are permitted through the advance system and up to 10 through the daily lottery.
• A high-clearance 4WD vehicle is required to access the permit area. Roads consist of deep sand and sharp or rough rock, and experience driving in deep sand is important.
• There are no developed trails, water, or facilities within Coyote Buttes South. Come prepared for remote backcountry travel and navigation.

You can find additional Coyote Buttes South permit information from the Bureau of Land Management.

7. The Narrows (Top-Down Only)

Permit Required: Yes, for the top-down route only

Fees: $6 non-refundable reservation/application fee + $10 per person for a day-use permit

Location: Zion National Park

Difficulty: Strenuous, approximately 16 miles point-to-point

The Narrows can be hiked two ways:

• Bottom-up: No permit required. This is an out-and-back hike beginning at the Temple of Sinawava. During Zion's shuttle season, you'll need to use the park shuttle to access the trailhead.
• Top-down: Permit required. This is the full 16-mile route beginning at Chamberlain's Ranch and ending at the Temple of Sinawava.

The top-down route can be completed as a very long single-day hike or as a two-day overnight backpacking trip. You'll spend most of the route hiking, wading, and sometimes swimming through the Virgin River, so favorable conditions and proper preparation are essential.

How it works and where to apply:

• Wilderness permits are required for all top-down hikes through The Narrows.
• Day-use permits cost $6 for the reservation/application plus $10 per person.
• Overnight trips use a different fee structure and require an overnight Wilderness Permit.
• The permit holder must pick up the permit in person at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center Wilderness Desk either the day before or the day of the trip.
• You can find current availability, reservation information, and application details on the National Park Service Narrows permit page.

The Narrows can close because of high water, flash flooding, or other unsafe conditions, so always check current conditions before your hike and have a backup plan.

How to Plan Around Permit Hikes

One of the biggest mistakes people make is building their entire Southern Utah itinerary first and then checking permit availability. That's backwards, especially when there's no guarantee you'll win a lottery for the exact date you want.

Do This Instead When Building Your Itinerary

1. Decide which permit hikes matter most to you
2. Apply for those permits first
3. Build the rest of your itinerary around the permits you actually get

This gives you much more flexibility and keeps you from having to completely rearrange your trip if you win a permit for a different date than you originally planned.

Southern Utah Hiking Permit FAQs

Do You Need a Permit for Angels Landing?

Yes. A permit is required to hike the chains section of Angels Landing. You can hike to Scout Lookout without a permit.

You can apply through:

• The seasonal lottery, which opens months in advance
• The day-before lottery, which offers limited availability

If you don't get a permit, you can still hike to Scout Lookout, which honestly isn't a bad consolation. If I'm being honest, I prefer the view from Observation Point over Angels Landing anyway. If you don't win, hike to Scout Lookout and consider Observation Point as another option during your trip.

How Hard Is It to Get a Permit for The Wave?

Very difficult. Very, very difficult.

It took me 63 failed applications before I won for the first time. SIXTY-THREE over the course of eight years. I finally won on application number 64.

The Wave is one of the most competitive hiking permits in the United States, so if it's a priority:

• Apply for the advance lottery
• If eligible under the lottery rules, other members of your group can submit their own applications
• Try the daily lottery if you'll be in the designated area
• Have multiple backup hikes planned

Do All Slot Canyons in Southern Utah Require Permits?

No. Most slot canyons, especially throughout Grand Staircase-Escalante and the Kanab area, do not require permits.

However:

• Some do require permits, including Kanarra Falls
• Flash flood risk applies whether a permit is required or not
• Some slot canyons require high-clearance or 4WD vehicle access

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

Do You Need a Permit for Fiery Furnace?

Yes. To enter Fiery Furnace, you must either:

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

Access is limited, and advance reservations are required. You cannot simply arrive at Fiery Furnace and enter without a permit.

Do You Need a Permit for Kanarra Falls?

Yes. Kanarra Falls requires a permit and has a limited number of visitors allowed each day.

Advance reservations are strongly recommended because popular dates can sell out. If permits remain available for that day, they may also be purchased at the trailhead.

This surprises a lot of visitors because Kanarra Falls isn't located inside a national park, but you still need a permit to hike it.

When Should I Apply for Permits in Southern Utah?

As early as the individual permit system allows.

Some permits open months in advance, while others are released days before your hike. Familiarize yourself with the permit process for each hike you want to do and be ready when its application window opens.

The best approach:

• Identify your must-do permit hikes first
• Apply for those permits before finalizing the rest of your itinerary
• Build the rest of your trip around the permits you actually get

What Happens If I Don't Get the Permits I Want?

Adjust your itinerary and, when available, try the daily or last-minute permit system for the dates you'll be in the area.

This is why flexibility matters when planning a Southern Utah trip. There are hundreds of incredible hikes that don't require permits, so have backup options planned and be willing to pivot if you don't secure your first choice.

Are Permits Included in the America the Beautiful Pass?

No. The America the Beautiful Pass covers entrance fees at participating federal recreation sites, but it does not cover hiking permits, lottery application fees, or other special-use fees.

You'll still need to apply for and pay for permits separately.

Final Thoughts

Southern Utah is one of those places that looks easy to plan until you actually start planning it. You see five national parks on a map and think you can just show up, pick a hike, and figure out the rest when you get there.

But between permit lotteries, hikes that sell out months in advance, long driving distances, changing weather, flash flood risk, and limited services in some areas, you really don't know what you don't know until you're in it.

And nothing sucks more than traveling all the way to Southern Utah only to realize the hike you planned your trip around required a permit you should have applied for three months ago.

Figure out your must-do hikes first, secure the permits you can, and then build the rest of your trip around them. You'll save yourself a lot of disappointment once you're actually here.

Is this your first trip to Southern Utah? Read my Common Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make in Southern Utah before you start planning. It's basically everything I wish first-time visitors knew before they got here.

Planning a Trip to Southern Utah?

I’ve spent 10+ years exploring the Southwest, and my Southern Utah Travel Guide includes everything I’d actually recommend for planning your trip, including hikes, scenic drives, overlooks, and 7 pre-built itineraries so you don’t have to second-guess every stop.

→ Explore My Southern Utah Travel Guide