Never Miss a Permit Again
The fastest way to snag backcountry permits, thru-hike entries, and lottery spots. 623+ permits across National Park permits, National Forest permits, River Permits, and Utah BLM permits.
2,847 backcountry adventurers already waiting
Getting into the backcountry is broken
The most incredible places require permits. Getting those permits? That's where dreams go to die.
“Lotteries are brutal”
The Wave has a 5% success rate. JMT lottery gets 20,000 applications for 1,500 spots. Hope isn't a strategy.
“Cancellations are random”
Someone cancels their Enchantments permit at 2am. Someone else drops their Whitney slot at 2pm. You can't refresh all day.
“Thru-hike windows are tiny”
JMT permits release once a year. Miss the lottery? Your only shot is cancellations. Miss those? See you next year.
Every major backcountry permit. One app.
Day-use lotteries. Thru-hike entries. Backcountry zones. Canyoneering permits. River access. If it requires a permit to access wilderness, we track it.
490+ permits across NPS, USFS, BLM, and state lands
More permits from OR · WA · CO · AZ coming 2025
From “I wish” to “I'm going” in 5 steps
Tell us your adventure
"JMT thru-hike, July, party of 2." Pick your permit, dates, and group size. Add alternates if flexible.
We watch 24/7
Our system checks availability every few minutes. Even at 3am when someone cancels their Enchantments permit.
Get alerted instantly
Push notification the moment a Zion Narrows spot opens. Optional SMS for critical permits.
Book in 2 taps
Our Fast Lane drops you straight into checkout - no searching, no forms, no lost permits.
Hit the trail
Whitney permit secured. Calendar synced. August 15th circled. The backcountry awaits.
Built for the moments that matter most
“2 taps to booking”
Half Dome permit cancellation just opened. Tap the alert, tap "Book Now." You're in checkout before anyone else loads the page.
“Backup plans that actually work”
Can't get The Wave permit? We'll suggest Coyote Buttes South permit. JMT permit full? Try the High Sierra Trail. We know which permits are similar.
“Never forget a deadline”
JMT lottery opens Feb 15. Whitney claims close March 1. Wake-up alert set for 6:45am. Every deadline synced.
“We watch harder when it matters”
Storm forecast for Zion? Cancellation deadline tomorrow? We scan 3x more frequently when backcountry permits are most likely to open.
Better together
Apply with friends, win together.
When 5 friends each apply for a 10% lottery, your group has a 41% chance someone wins - vs 10% alone. PermitSnag coordinates your applications and tracks results together.
From early users
“We tried for Mount Whitney for 3 years. PermitSnag found us a cancellation on our second week.”
“I'd given up on ever seeing The Wave. Got an alert at 6am, booked by 6:02. Still can't believe it.”
“Our group of 5 all applied for the JMT lottery. PermitSnag tracked everyone's status - two of us won.”
Why PermitSnag?
This isn't about campgrounds.
PermitSnag covers every major backcountry permit in the US:
Half Dome permit · Mt Whitney permit · JMT permit · The Wave permit · Angels Landing permit · Narrows permit · Subway permit · Enchantments permit · Grand Canyon permit · and hundreds more
Plans that fit how you adventure
One subscriber can invite their entire hiking group for free. Only the trip creator needs a paid plan.
Free
Browse and plan your backcountry adventures
- Browse all permits
- View rules & key dates
- Calendar reminders
- Push notifications
- SMS alerts
- Fast Lane 2-tap booking
Pro
For serious backcountry adventurers
- Unlimited permit tracking
- Push notifications
- SMS alerts
- Fast Lane 2-tap booking
- Smart alternates
- Invite friends FREE
A la Carte
Perfect for a single trip
- Track one permit
- Push notifications
- SMS alerts
- Fast Lane 2-tap booking
- Smart alternates
- Group features
What is Fast Lane?
Fast Lane is our 2-tap booking system. When a permit opens up, you get an instant push notification. Tap it to jump straight to our Fast Lane screen, which auto-rechecks availability and gives you a direct link to the booking page — all in under 3 seconds.
Questions?
No. PermitSnag is specifically for backcountry permits, thru-hike entries, day-use lotteries, and wilderness access. If you're looking for a campground at Yosemite, try Campnab. If you're trying to get a Half Dome permit or a JMT permit, that's us.
Browse Backcountry Permits
Find permits for day hikes, overnight backpacking, thru-hikes, canyoneering, and river trips across federal and state lands.
National Park Permits
Day-use, overnight, and wilderness permits at America's crown jewels
California Wilderness Permits
Sierra Nevada, Lost Coast, and backcountry access
Utah & BLM Permits
Red rock canyons, slot canyon permits, and desert wilderness
National Forest & Wilderness Permits
USFS wilderness areas with quota systems
Thru-Hikes & Long Trails
Multi-day point-to-point traverses and epic long-distance trails
River Permits
Multi-day rafting and river access permits
California State Park Permits
Backcountry camping and trail permits
Mountaineering & Summit Permits
High-altitude summit permits and technical climbing routes