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Never miss a permit deadline again
January 2026
Hey all,
I hope you’re having a wonderful Christmas! With a few sought-after permits opening up in early January, now is a great time to start planning your summer adventures—even if it’s snowing outside. If that feels a bit too soon, don’t worry! There will be other opportunities to secure permits later (I’ll remind you about those), and you can always snag canceled permits. So, relax and enjoy the holidays!
To backpack in California this July
Permits to backpack in Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Inyo, and Desolation Wilderness are available six months in advance. In January, you can book trips starting in July. See below for reservation links.
Other releases
- Grand Canyon. Enter the lottery by January 1 for trips in May (ideal time to visit).
- Angels Landing. Enter the lottery between January 1 and January 20 for trips between March 1 and May 31.
- Grand Teton. Reservations open on January 7 for the full year.
- Boundary Waters. Reservations open on January 28 for the full year.
Note on the Havasupai lottery
Once again this year, Havasupai campground reservations will be released via a lottery in January, for trips between February 1 and November 30. As of now, the exact lottery dates haven’t been announced, so if you’re planning a trip to the Havasupai Reservation, be sure to check the Facebook page for the latest updates.
California
Desolation — overnight
| • | 6 months ahead (starting May 22)7am PT Reservations open 6 months ahead of the trip start date. Book in January for trips starting in July. Add to calendar |
Inyo — overnight
| • | 6 months ahead (starting May 1)7am PT Reservations open 6 months ahead of the trip start date. Book in January for trips starting in July. Add to calendar |
King Range (Lost Coast) — overnight
| • | 3 months ahead7am PT Reservations open 3 months ahead of the trip start date. Book in January for trips starting in April. Add to calendar |
Point Reyes — overnight
| • | 3 months ahead7am PT Reservations open 3 months ahead of the trip start date. Book in January for trips starting in April. Add to calendar |
Sequoia and Kings Canyon — overnight
| • | 6 months ahead (starting May 22)7am PT Reservations open 6 months ahead of the trip start date. Book in January for trips starting in July. Add to calendar |
Yosemite — overnight
| • | Dec 26, 20259am PT Leftover reservations open for trips starting June 7–13. Add to calendar |
| • | Dec 27, 202511:59pm PT Lottery closes for trips starting June 14–20. |
| • | Dec 28, 202512:01am PT Lottery opens for trips starting June 21–27. Lottery closes on January 3 at 11:59pm PT. Add to calendar |
| • | Jan 29am PT Leftover reservations open for trips starting June 14–20. Add to calendar |
| • | Jan 412:01am PT Lottery opens for trips starting between June 28 and July 4. Lottery closes on January 10 at 11:59pm PT. Add to calendar |
| • | Jan 99am PT Leftover reservations open for trips starting June 21–27. Add to calendar |
| • | Jan 1112:01am PT Lottery opens for trips starting July 5–11. Lottery closes on January 17 at 11:59pm PT. Add to calendar |
| • | Jan 169am PT Leftover reservations open for trips starting between June 28 and July 4. Add to calendar |
| • | Jan 1812:01am PT Lottery opens for trips starting July 12–18. Lottery closes on January 24 at 11:59pm PT. Add to calendar |
| • | Jan 239am PT Leftover reservations open for trips starting July 5–11. Add to calendar |
| • | Jan 2512:01am PT Lottery opens for trips starting July 19–25. Lottery closes on January 31 at 11:59pm PT. Add to calendar |
| • | Jan 309am PT Leftover reservations open for trips starting July 12–18. Add to calendar |
Rockies
Grand Teton — overnight
| • | Jan 78am MT Reservations open for trips starting between May 1 and October 31. Add to calendar |
Southwest
Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) — day-use
| • | Dec 31, 202511:59pm MT Lottery closes for trips in April. |
| • | Jan 112am MT Lottery opens for trips in May. Lottery closes on January 31 at 11:59pm MT. Add to calendar |
Grand Canyon — overnight
| • | Jan 18am MT Leftover reservations open for trips starting between February 1 and April 30. Add to calendar |
| • | Jan 15pm MT Lottery closes for trips starting in May. |
| • | Jan 1612am MT Lottery opens for trips starting in June. Lottery closes on February 1 at 5pm MT. Add to calendar |
Zion Angels Landing — day-use
| • | Jan 112am MT Lottery opens for trips between March 1 and May 31. Lottery closes on January 20 at 11:59pm MT. Add to calendar |
| • | 1 day ahead12:01am MT Last-minute lottery opens 1 day ahead of the trip date. Lottery closes 1 day ahead the trip date at 3pm MT. Add to calendar |
Zion Left Fork North Creek (Subway) — day-use
| • | 2 days ahead12am MT Last-minute lottery opens 2 days ahead of the trip date. Lottery closes 2 days ahead the trip date at 3pm MT. Add to calendar |
East Coast
Boundary Waters — overnight
| • | Jan 289am CT Reservations open for trips starting between May 1 and September 30. Add to calendar |
Great Smoky Mountains — overnight
| • | 30 days ahead12am ET Reservations open 30 days ahead of the trip start date. Book in January for trips starting in February. Add to calendar |
Hawaii
Nā Pali Coast State Park (Kalalau Trail), After February 1, 2026 — overnight
| • | 90 days ahead (starting Feb 1)12:01am HT Reservations open 90 days ahead of the trip start date. Book in January for trips starting in April. Add to calendar |
Past deadlinesIt’s not too late! These parks may still have permits left. Maroon Bells-Snowmass — overnight Mt. Whitney — day-use/overnight Nā Pali Coast State Park (Kalalau Trail), Before February 1, 2026 — overnight |
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See you next month! Expect to hear from me on January 25th for all deadlines in February.
 | Jordan Vincent |