This is a reservation / permit route. So be sure to plan ahead and obtain your reservation before making the long trip to Zion's Park. Some walk-in permits are available, but this is risky depending on the time of year. You can go to ReservationsAndPermits for more information.

Access to Pine Creek is via the the Zion / Mt. Carmel Hwy. This route requires a car spot, it is not a round trip route. Enter the canyon on the East side of the Zion Tunnel, across the road from the Canyon Overlook Trail. Exit from the canyon is at the third switchback below the Zion Tunnel.

Pine Creek Canyon is 1.4 miles in length and will take approximately 5 hours to complete. It has numerous rappels, the longest is the last one at 100', and many cold water swims.

Pine Creek has everything you could ask for in a Zion canyoneering route. It has long rappels, deep hole, swimmer hole, awkward rappel starts, unusual anchors and interesting down-climbs. The bonus feature to this little gem is the Cathedral rappel where you will be blessed with some of the most unique scenery in Zion. Here you will be able to get some of those once-in-a-lifetime photos as you descend into the "Grotto" with its windows and natural arches.

Pine Creek Canyon has a X risk factor due to a difficult approach to one anchor point located down a slippery slope that could be disastrous if you slipped. Additionally, there may a large washed out hole you will need to jump over to get to a 6' slab. Missing this jump would mean certain injury or death. You have been warned!