Permit Guides
Research-backed guides for wilderness permit systems across popular backcountry destinations.
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Sierra Nevada, California
Half Dome Permit 2026: Lottery Dates, Odds & Strategy
Preseason lottery, daily lottery, the unclaimed permit release window, and walk-up backup plans for Half Dome in 2026.
Difficulty: Strenuous
Next lottery: March 1 - March 31 (preseason)
Day Hiker Lottery -
Sierra Nevada, California
Mount Whitney Permit 2026: Lottery, Dates & Strategy
Mount Whitney permit guide — lottery dates, April 22 release window, cancellation strategy, and everything you need before hiking the lower 48's highest peak.
Difficulty: Strenuous
Next lottery: February 1 - March 1
Lottery + First Come First Served -
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington
Enchantments Permit 2026: Lottery, Zones & Strategy
Annual lottery, geofence day-of lottery, five permit zones explained, and strategies that actually work.
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Next lottery: February 15 - March 1
Lottery + Daily Geofence Lottery -
Zion National Park, Utah
Angels Landing Permit 2026: Lottery Dates & Strategy
Seasonal lottery, day-before lottery, exact dates, and strategies that improve your odds for Angels Landing in Zion.
Difficulty: Strenuous
Next lottery: Four seasonal lotteries per year
Seasonal Lottery + Day-Before Lottery -
California
Yosemite Wilderness Permit Guide
How to get a Yosemite wilderness permit, choose the right trailhead, and avoid the common mistakes that invalidate your trip. Covers the lottery, 7-day release, Half Dome add-on, and Donohue Pass.
Next lottery: 24 weeks before start date (rolling weekly)
Wilderness -
Lake Tahoe / Sierra Nevada
Desolation Wilderness Permit: How to Get One in 2026
Desolation Wilderness overnight permit guide with zone strategy for Lake Aloha, Velma Lakes, Dicks Lake, and Gilmore Lake. Walk-up and recovery options included.
Difficulty: Strenuous
Next lottery: Reservations open 6 months in advance, rolling daily release. Quota season: Friday before Memorial Day through September 30.
Zone-based overnight quota -
Montana
Glacier National Park Backcountry Permit
Glacier National Park backcountry permits in 2027 — lottery dates, walk-up strategy, the Northern Loop, and what the system doesn't make obvious.
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Next lottery: March 1 & March 15, 2027 (lotteries); general on-sale May 1, 2027
Wilderness Camping -
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Rainier Summit Permit 2026: Climbing Permit Guide
Everything you need to know about the Mount Rainier summit climbing permit — costs, registration, ranger requirements, and what to expect on the mountain.
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Next lottery: Early access lottery ~March
Climbing Permit -
Sierra Nevada, California
John Muir Trail
211 miles. Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney. Lottery + 6-month reservations. 16 entry points.
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Next lottery: ~February 2027 (estimated)
Lottery + 6-month reservations -
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Wonderland Trail Permit 2026: Lottery & Walk-Up Guide
Wonderland Trail permit guide — early access lottery, general reservations, walk-up strategy, and campsite booking tips that actually improve your odds.
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Next lottery: February 10 - March 3
Early Access Lottery + Walk-Up -
Three Sisters Wilderness, Oregon
South Sister Permit 2026: Dates, Access & Strategy
Rolling reservation windows, overnight permits, trailhead differences, and strategies to lock in your date.
Difficulty: Strenuous
Next lottery: April 7 advance release (overnight); 10-day and 2-day rolling windows (day-use)
Rolling Window + Advance Reservation -
Southwest
The Wave Permit 2026: Lottery, Odds & Walk-Up Guide
Advanced lottery, daily geofence lottery, fees, realistic odds, and what most people get wrong about Wave permits.
Difficulty: Moderate
Next lottery: Open monthly, four months in advance
BLM Lottery -
Arizona
Grand Canyon backcountry permit: 2027 lottery guide
How to get a Grand Canyon backcountry permit in 2027: lottery dates, rim-to-rim campsites, cancellation windows, and backup itinerary strategy.
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Next lottery: 16th of each month, 4.5 months ahead
Backcountry Permit -
Arizona
Havasu Falls Permit 2026: Costs, Dates & Tribal Reservation Rules
How to get a Havasu Falls permit in 2026, including campground and lodge costs, booking dates, cancellation rules, check-in, route logistics, and Havasupai Tribe regulations.
Difficulty: Strenuous
Next lottery: No lottery — regular sale opened February 1, 2026
Tribal Reservation Permit