Moab, UT
Arches National Park Canyoneering Permits
Common Questions
What backcountry visitors most often want to know about Arches National Park Canyoneering Permits.
Do I need to enter a permit draw for Arches canyoneering?
No draw is required for the eight established canyoneering routes covered by this permit. Permits are self-issued and can be claimed online starting at 8:00 AM Mountain Time the day before your trip, or picked up anytime at the Arches Visitor Center patio. Note that the Fiery Furnace is not included and requires its own separate permit.
How many canyoneering routes does this permit cover?
This permit covers eight established canyoneering routes in Arches National Park, not including the Fiery Furnace. Group sizes are capped at six people for the Lost and Found and MMI routes, and ten people for all others. Some routes close seasonally, so it's worth checking current conditions before you head out.
Can I hire a guide for canyoneering in Arches?
No, guided canyoneering services are prohibited in the park. Every group must complete the required safety orientation on their own and travel within their skill level, since canyoneering safety is the visitor's own responsibility. You'll also need a park entrance pass in addition to your self-issued canyoneering permit.
What should I know about waste and gear rules before heading out?
Everything you pack in must be packed out, including toilet paper, and solid human waste must go in a landfill-safe waste bag rather than being left in the canyon. Pets, drones, and installing new fixed anchors without a special-use permit are all prohibited. Overnight camping is not covered by this permit and is only allowed in designated campgrounds or backcountry sites.
Do conditions change much throughout the year on these routes?
Yes, conditions can shift significantly depending on recent weather, especially in pothole canyons. After a dry winter, for example, low water levels in Dragonfly Canyon's potholes have required swimming combined with technical climbing to get through, making the route harder than the standard beta suggests. Always check current route conditions before committing to a canyon.
Where is this permit located relative to the rest of Arches National Park?
These canyoneering routes are located within Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, a well-known base town for red-rock recreation in southeastern Utah. Because these are backcountry technical routes, you'll be traveling off the park's main paved corridor into its sandstone canyon terrain.