A Guide to Washington’s Backpacking Permit System

Let’s talk wilderness permits in Washington. It’s sore of the bane of all backpackers and while I am usually one to miss deadlines for permit applications, I have many friends who are always on top of it. Part of the problem is every region has a different system, so this is my attempt to make a succinct one-page summary of all Washington permits that you might need to know to plan a summer trip.

Generally if a lottery system is available, you apply during an open period where you get entered into a random drawing. What camps and dates you list pay a factor, though so it’s not 100% random. This is because every region has its own capacity for how many overnight groups or people can be there on a given night. Once the lottery system closes and people have declined or picked their reservations, the rest go out to the public. Then it’s first come first served. Some regions have walk-up permits and others are entirely online, so check it first! And sometimes permits get released back into the system when people can no longer use them.

A note: There are plenty of other places that don’t require a permit where you can still hike to beautiful destinations and lots of walk-up permits that you don’t get them in advance. Sometimes that’s best because weather is not consistent in Washington and you could get rained on for your reservation, so don’t fret too much if you don’t get the permit lotteries.

Enchantments

Overnight Permit Required: May 15 – October 31
Lottery
- Opens: February 15, 2023 7:00am
- Deadline: March 1, 2023 11:59pm
- Results: March 17, 2023
- Confirmation Deadline: March 31, 2023
General Sale
- Unclaimed Permits Available Starting: April 1, first come first served
- Walk-up permits: released online on Sundays a week prior
Zones: Limited by party: Eightmile, Stuart, Colchuck, Snow
Limited by person: Core (special privilege to camp in other zones, like a wild card)
Parking: Northwest Forest Pass for day hiking, included for overnight permits
Fees: $6 lottery nonrefundable, successful permits $5/person/night
Forest Service Info
Reserve at recreation.gov

North Cascades National Park

Overnight Permit Required: year round
Summer Reservations Available: May 19 – October 7
Winter Permits: self-issued at WIC or by email
Early Access Lottery
- Opens: March 6, 2023
- Deadline: March 17, 2023 9:00pm
- Results: March 24, 2023
- Confirmation Deadline: April 25, 2023 9:00pm
General Sale
- Opens: May 1, 2023 7:00am
- Online Reservations: available up to 2 days before trip
- Walk-up Permits: first come first served, available within 24 hours in advance at the WIC
Zones: cross country zones and specific camp sites – see the Wilderness Trip Planner
Parking: Northwest Forest Pass for most trailheads
Fees: $20/group permit + $6 transaction fee
National Park Info
Reserve at recreation.gov

Olympic National Park

Overnight Permit Required: year round
Summer Reservations Available: May 15 – October 15
- Seven Lakes Basin/High Divide Season: July 15 – October 15
- Higher elevation camps (Glacier Meadows/Elk Lake, Grand Valley, Royal Basin, Lake Constance, Upper Lena Lake, and Flapjack Lakes): June 15 – October 15
Winter Permits: Mostly walk-up, some available online for reservation
General Sale: April 15, 2023 7:00am online only
Campsites: see the Wilderness Trip Planner
Entry: National Park Pass covers parking
Fees: $8/person/night + $6 reservation fee
National Park Info
Reserve at recreation.gov

Mount Rainier National Park and Wonderland Trail

Overnight Permit Required: year round
Climbing Permit: additional to overnight, required for travel above 10,000 ft on glaciers (Camp Muir excluded)
Summer Reservations Available: late May – October 8
Winter Permits: Online reservation available for groups of 13+, Walkups for groups 12 or fewer; climbing permits Oct – Apr self register
Early Access Lottery
- Opens: February 21, 2023 7:00am
- Deadline: March 7, 2023 9:00pm
- Results: March 14, 2023
General Sale
- Opens: April 25, 2023 7:00am
- Online Reservations: available up to 2 days before trip
- Walk-up Permits: first come first served, available within 24 hours in advance at the WIC
Campsites: see the Wilderness Trip Planner
Entry: National Park Pass covers parking
Fees: $6 lottery/reservation non-refundable fee, $20 recreation fee for online reservation (free in person)
National Park Info
Reserve at recreation.gov

Mount Margaret Backcountry

Overnight Permit Required: May 1 – November 30
Permits Released: 1st of each preceding month (i.e. April 1 permits released for May 1-31)
Parking: Northwest Forest Pass
Fees: $6 lottery/reservation non-refundable fee
Mount Margaret Info
Reserve at recreation.gov

Mount Saint Helens Climbing Permit

Climbing Permit Required: year round
Limited quota enforced: April 1 – November 30
Permits Released: 7:00 am on the 1st of each preceding month (i.e. April 1 permits released for May 1-31)
Winter Permits: Free, self-issued at trailhead
Parking: State Sno-Park Pass in winter, Northwest Forest Pass (or National Park Pass) in summer
Fees: $6 lottery/reservation non-refundable fee
Mount Saint Helens Info
Reserve at recreation.gov

*all times are PST

WIC = Wilderness Information Center

Final Thoughts

You’ll also need to check group sizes, they vary from region to region but the permits will specifically say how many people it covers. Sometimes for the National Parks, it might be smart to request the full permit size since many are group limited as opposed to person limited. If it ends up you can’t go anymore, please remember to release/return your permits so someone else has a chance to get out there!

National Park Annual Pass also works on all National Forest land as well. Discover Pass (state) is not interchangeable with any of the national forest/park passes. Sno-park (state – winter only) pass is also not interchangeable with any other passes. Check before you go to see which pass is required.

Photos shot on Canon 5D Mark IV