Last Issue
Never miss a permit deadline again
May 2024
Hey all,
Most advanced lotteries have passed, but it’s not too late if you couldn’t secure a permit. Many parks release last-minute permits a few days in advance of your desired start date.
If you can’t wait until the last minute, you can create Outdoor Status alerts to get notified when we find canceled permits.
New: Guide to the Grand Canyon’s Rim-to-Rim Trail
The Grand Canyon’s Rim-to-Rim Trail is one of my favorite backpacking trips in the US. But planning that trip is challenging because it’s a point-to-point hike, the hiking season is short, and permits are limited.
Now is the best time to plan your Rim-to-Rim trip because September’s lottery is open! Check out the interactive guide.
Changes to the Enchantment walk-up permit lottery
In previous years, last-minute permits were released every Sunday. In 2024, last-minute permits are awarded through a daily lottery held the day before your trip. You must enter the lottery between 7 am and 10 am and be physically within one mile of the Leavenworth Ranger Station.
California
Half Dome, Yosemite — day-use
• | 2 days ahead (starting May 22)12am – 4pm PT Last-minute lottery is held 2 days ahead of the trip date from 12am to 4pm PT. |
Yosemite — overnight
• | Weekly12:01pm PT Lottery opens every Sunday and closes the following Saturday. Apply in May for trips starting between October 6 and October 20. |
• | 7 days ahead7am PT Last-minute reservations open 7 days ahead of the trip start date. Add to calendar |
Yosemite — day-use
• | 7 days ahead8am PT Reservations open 7 days ahead of the trip date. Add to calendar |
Lost Coast — overnight
• | 3 months ahead7am PT Reservations open 3 months ahead of the trip start date. Book in May for trips starting in August. Add to calendar |
Inyo — overnight
• | 14 days ahead7am PT Last-minute reservations open 2 weeks ahead of the trip start date. Add to calendar |
Pacific Northwest
Enchantments — overnight
• | 1 day ahead (starting May 14)7–10am PT Last-minute lottery is held 1 day ahead of the trip start date from 7am to 10am PT. |
Mt. St. Helens — day-use
• | May 17am PT Reservations open for trips in June. Add to calendar |
Mt. Rainier — day-use
• | May 18am PT Reservations open for trips in August and September. Add to calendar |
• | 1 day ahead (starting May 24)7pm PT Last-minute reservations open 1 day ahead of the trip date. |
North Cascades — overnight
• | Apr 297am PT Unclaimed lottery permits are released for trips between May 17 and October 12. Add to calendar |
Southwest
The Wave — day-use
• | Apr 3011:59pm MT Lottery closes for trips in August. |
• | May 1 Lottery opens for trips in September. Lottery closes May 31 at 11:59pm MT. Add to calendar |
Grand Canyon — overnight
• | May 15pm MT Lottery closes for trips starting in September. |
• | May 1612am MT Lottery opens for trips starting in October. Lottery closes June 1 at 5pm MT. Add to calendar |
The Subway, Zion — day-use
• | May 112am MT Lottery opens for trips starting from July 1 to September 30. Lottery closes May 25 at 3pm MT. Add to calendar |
• | 2 days ahead12am MT Last-minute lottery is held 2 days ahead of the trip from 12pm to 3pm MT. Add to calendar |
Angels Landing, Zion — day-use
• | 1 day ahead12:01am MT Last-minute lottery is held 1 day ahead of the trip from 12am to 3pm MT. Add to calendar |
Arches — day-use
• | May 18am MT Reservations open for trips in August. Add to calendar |
• | 1 day ahead7pm MT Last-minute reservations open 1 day ahead of the trip date. Add to calendar |
Rockies
Yellowstone — overnight
• | Apr 268am MT Reservations open for trips between May 15 and October 31. Add to calendar |
Rocky Mountain — day-use
• | May 18am MT Reservations open for trips between May 24 and June 30. Add to calendar |
• | 1 day ahead (starting May 23)7pm MT Last-minute reservations open 1 day ahead of the trip date. |
Glacier — day-use
• | 120 days ahead8am MT Reservations open 120 days ahead of the trip date. Book in May for trips in September. Add to calendar |
• | 1 day ahead (starting May 23)7pm MT Last-minute reservations open 1 day ahead of the trip date. |
Glacier — overnight
• | May 18am MT Unclaimed lottery permits are released for trips between June 15 and September 30. Add to calendar |
Hawaii & Alaska
Napali Coast — overnight
• | 90 days ahead12am HT Reservations open 90 days ahead of the trip start date. Book in May to start in August. Add to calendar |
Midwest & East Coast
Great Smoky Mountains — overnight
• | 30 days ahead12am ET Reservations open 30 days ahead of the trip start date. Book in May to start in June. Add to calendar |
Past deadlinesIt’s not too late! These parks may still have permits left. Desolation Wilderness — overnight |
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See you next month! Expect to hear from me on May 25th for all deadlines in June.
Jordan Vincent |