The best backpacking trips
(and when to book them)

Best time to hikeBest time to book permit

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Now

Enchantments Trail

Alpine Lakes Wilderness

2–3 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Now
Jul – Oct
Feb 15 – Mar 1

Mt. Whitney

Inyo National Forest

2 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jul – Sep
Feb 1 – Mar 1

Rim-to-Rim Trail

Grand Canyon National Park

2–4 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
May 15 – Jun 30
Dec 16 – Feb 1
Sep 1 – Oct 15
Apr 16 – Jun 1

The Narrows

Zion National Park

2 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jun – Oct
May 5 – Sep 5

Nā Pali Coast Trail

Kauai

2 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
May – Oct
Feb – Jul

Lost Coast Trail

King Range Wilderness

2–3 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
May – Oct
Feb – Jul

Teton Crest Trail

Grand Teton National Park

3–5 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jul – Sep
Jan 10

John Muir Trail

Yosemite National Park

15–21 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jul – Sep
Jan 14 – Apr 13

High Sierra Trail

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

5–8 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jul – Sep
Jan – Mar

Rae Lakes Loop

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

4 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jul – Sep
Jan – Mar

Half Dome

Yosemite National Park

2 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jun 1 – Oct 10
Jan 14 – Apr 13

Wonderland Trail

Mt. Rainier National Park

7–10 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jul – Sep
Feb 12 – Mar 7

High Divide and Seven Lakes Basin Loop

Olympic National Park

3–4 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jul 15 – Oct 15
Apr 15

Three Sisters Loop

Central Cascades Wilderness

4–6 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jul 1 – Oct 15
Apr 2

North Circle Loop

Glacier National Park

5–6 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jul – Sep
Mar 15

Trans-Catalina Trail

Catalina Island

3–5 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
May – Nov
Jan 1

Copper Ridge Loop

North Cascades National Park

3 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jul – Sep
Mar 4–15

Longs Peak

Rocky Mountain National Park

2 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jul 15 – Sep 15
Mar 1

Four Pass Loop

Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness

2–3 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jul
Feb 15
Aug – Sep
Jun 15

Pawnee-Buchanan Loop

Indian Peaks Wilderness

3–4 days

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jul – Sep
Mar 5

Next issue on the 25th

Never miss a permit deadline ever again!

Once a month, receive the list of top permits that are opening up

Last issue