Backcountry Permits Directory

America's most spectacular wilderness areas require permits to protect fragile ecosystems and ensure quality experiences. From the granite walls of Half Dome permits to the sandstone waves of The Wave permit, these protected lands see millions of visitors each year.

Permit systems vary by agency and location. National Park permits typically use Recreation.gov for reservations and lotteries. National Forest permits and wilderness areas often have different quota systems. Utah & BLM permits like the Vermilion Cliffs manage their own lottery systems.

The most competitive permits (think JMT permits, Enchantments permits, or Grand Canyon river permits) have lottery success rates under 10%. But cancellations happen daily. PermitSnag monitors availability around the clock so you can catch those openings.