We monitor permit availability 24/7 so you don't have to. Here's the technical breakdown of how we help you snag permits before anyone else.
Select permits you want
We scan every 2-3 minutes
Instant notification
Fast Lane to checkout
Our monitoring system runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Here's what happens behind the scenes:
We check permit availability every 2-3 minutes. This frequency is optimized to catch cancellations as soon as they happen while respecting the permit systems' rate limits.
Permit systems like Recreation.gov have rate limits to prevent abuse. We've calibrated our scan frequency to be as fast as possible while staying within these limits. Going faster would risk getting blocked, which would hurt all our users.
When we detect a change in availability (a new opening, a cancellation, or quota changes), we immediately process the change and trigger alerts for all users tracking that permit. The entire process from detection to alert delivery typically takes under 10 seconds.
When a permit you're tracking becomes available, we notify you through multiple channels to maximize your chances of seeing the alert in time.
Instant push notifications to your iOS device. Opens directly to Fast Lane.
Text message alerts that work even without data. Includes booking link.
Detailed email with all permit details and direct booking link.
Not all alerts are created equal. We prioritize based on several factors:
When seconds count, Fast Lane gives you an edge. Here's how it works:
Pre-fills your booking details
Party size, entry date, and exit date are automatically filled
Opens the official booking page
Direct link to Recreation.gov or state park checkout
Saves precious seconds
Skip the navigation and form-filling that slows others down
Fast Lane works by constructing a URL with your preferences. We never store your Recreation.gov password, credit card, or any other payment information. You always complete the booking on the official site with your own account.
No. We give you the best possible chance by alerting you immediately when permits become available, but popular permits often get booked within seconds. Your success depends on how quickly you can complete the booking after receiving our alert.
PermitSnag monitors continuously, 24/7, across all your tracked permits. You'd have to refresh each permit page every few minutes, around the clock, to match our coverage. Plus, our Fast Lane feature saves additional seconds by pre-filling your booking details.
PermitSnag checks availability the same way any browser does. We don't use bots to book permits or store your credentials. You complete the booking yourself on the official site.
Plans change. People get sick, schedules shift, or they decide to try for a different permit. Most cancellations happen close to the trip date when plans fall through.
Tools That Feel Human
Every feature is designed to get you from "maybe" to "booked" with less friction and fewer dead ends.
A Half Dome permit opens, you tap once from the alert, then tap again to reserve. No searching through tabs while everyone else races you.
Typical race window
Under 3 minutes
Goal
Open checkout first
If The Wave is closed, we suggest nearby permits like Coyote Buttes South. Your trip plan stays moving.
Learn moreTrack timing for lotteries like JMT and Whitney, with calendar-ready reminders.
Learn morePaid watches get checked more often around lottery drops, weather shifts, and busy weekends for places like Zion permits and holiday campsites.
Where We Fit
PermitSnag
Monitor permit and campsite cancellations, then move to checkout with minimal friction.
Wanderlog
Good for itinerary building and notes, but not designed for permit release timing or cancellation races.
Recreation.gov
Required for reservations, but manual refresh and fragmented discovery make hard permits easy to miss.
Explore coverage across National Parks, National Forests, California, Utah + BLM, and 3,961 campgrounds covering 119,256 campsites.
Browse all tracked permitsSet up your first permit alert in under 2 minutes.