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Never miss a permit deadline again
May 2025
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 before 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 Zealand reservations are opening up for the 2025–2026 season
If you’re an outdoor lover, New Zealand has everything you need. The Great Walks are New Zealand’s premier trials, and ideal for a first trip to the islands. Just as in North America, reservations are required and go out quickly so it’s necessary to book early. The 2025–2026 season opens next month at 9:30am New Zealand Time on the following dates:
- 15 May: Heaphy Track, Kepler Track, Rakiura Track
- 22 May: Whanganui Journey, Routeburn Track, Tongariro Northern Circuit
- 27 May: Lake Waikaremoana Track, Abel Tasman Coast Track, Paparoa Track
- 28 May: Milford Track
Guide to the Grand Canyon’s Rim-to-Rim hike
The Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim hike 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 that trip because September’s lottery is open and October’s one opens on May 16. Check out the interactive guide.
California
Half Dome, Yosemite — day-use
| • | 2 days ahead (starting May 23)12am – 4pm PT Last-minute lottery is held 2 days ahead of the trip date from 12am to 4pm PT. |
Yosemite — overnight
| • | 7 days ahead7am PT Last-minute reservations open 7 days ahead of the trip start date. Add to calendar |
Inyo — overnight
| • | 14 days ahead7am PT Last-minute reservations open 2 weeks ahead of the trip start 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 |
Pacific Northwest
North Cascades — overnight
| • | Apr 297am PT Unclaimed lottery permits are released for trips between May 16 and October 11. Add to calendar |
Mt. St. Helens — day-use
| • | May 17am PT Reservations open for trips in June. 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 12am 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 October. 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 23 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 |
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 Indian Peaks Wilderness — overnight |
Was this helpful? Reply to this email to let me know.
See you next month! Expect to hear from me on May 25th for all deadlines in June.
 | Jordan Vincent |