Yellowstone National Park Permits
America's first national park with incredible geothermal features and wildlife.
Signature Experiences
The most sought-after permits in Yellowstone
Shoshone Lake
“Paddle up the Lewis River Channel (dragging the boat the last mile) to a lake with no road to it, no motors on it, and eighty geysers on its far shore.”
Yellowstone Backcountry
“1,114 miles of trail, 293 numbered campsites, and a permit that names exactly which one you sleep at on which night.”
All Permits
Select a permit to learn more and set up alerts
Shoshone Lake Backcountry permit
Largest backcountry lake.
Yellowstone Backcountry permit
Overnight backcountry camping permit for Yellowstone National Park. Cancellations return to Recreation.gov through the season, after an early-access lottery in spring and the general on-sale.
Bechler River Area permit
Waterfall country.
Other National Parks Areas
Explore more wilderness permits in the region
Grand Teton permits
4 permits
Rocky Mountain permits
5 permits
North Cascades permits
5 permits
Denali permits
4 permits
Yellowstone Permit FAQ
What permits are required for Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone National Park requires permits for various activities including Yellowstone Backcountry, Shoshone Lake, Bechler, Lamar Valley. Each permit has different requirements and booking processes.
How do I get a permit for Yellowstone National Park?
Permits for Yellowstone National Park are available through Lottery, Reservation systems. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.
When should I apply for Yellowstone National Park permits?
Cancellations open all season, so set a PermitSnag alert now and we tell you the moment one does. Lottery permits open months in advance; reservation permits release on a rolling basis.