Last Issue
Never miss a permit deadline again
December 2025
Hey all,
California permits opening up now
Permits to backpack in Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Inyo, and Desolation Wilderness are opening up 6 months in advance. In December, you can book trips starting in June. See below for reservation links.
Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks
- Permits to backpack in Zion National Park, including the Narrows, this winter (January through March) open on December 5th.
- Permits to backpack the Grand Canyon’s Rim to Rim Trail in May (one of the best times to go) open on December 16th. See my interactive guide.
California
Desolation — overnight
| • | 6 months ahead (starting May 22)7am PT Reservations open 6 months ahead of the trip start date. Book in December for trips starting in June 2026. 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 December for trips starting in June 2026. Add to calendar |
King Range (Lost Coast) — overnight
| • | 3 months ahead7am PT Reservations open 3 months ahead of the trip start date. Book in December for trips starting in March 2026. Add to calendar |
Point Reyes — overnight
| • | 3 months ahead7am PT Reservations open 3 months ahead of the trip start date. Book in December for trips starting in March 2026. 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 December for trips starting in June 2026. Add to calendar |
Yosemite — overnight
| • | Nov 289am PT Leftover reservations open for trips starting May 10–16, 2026. Add to calendar |
| • | Nov 2911:59pm PT Lottery closes for trips starting May 17–23, 2026. |
| • | Nov 3012:01am PT Lottery opens for trips starting May 24–30, 2026. Lottery closes on December 6 at 11:59pm PT. Add to calendar |
| • | Dec 59am PT Leftover reservations open for trips starting May 17–23, 2026. Add to calendar |
| • | Dec 712:01am PT Lottery opens for trips starting between May 31, 2026 and June 6, 2026. Lottery closes on December 13 at 11:59pm PT. Add to calendar |
| • | Dec 129am PT Leftover reservations open for trips starting May 24–30, 2026. Add to calendar |
| • | Dec 1412:01am PT Lottery opens for trips starting June 7–13, 2026. Lottery closes on December 20 at 11:59pm PT. Add to calendar |
| • | Dec 199am PT Leftover reservations open for trips starting between May 31, 2026 and June 6, 2026. Add to calendar |
| • | Dec 2112:01am PT Lottery opens for trips starting June 14–20, 2026. Lottery closes on December 27 at 11:59pm PT. Add to calendar |
| • | Dec 269am PT Leftover reservations open for trips starting June 7–13, 2026. Add to calendar |
| • | Dec 2812:01am PT Lottery opens for trips starting June 21–27, 2026. Lottery closes on January 3, 2026 at 11:59pm PT. Add to calendar |
Southwest
Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) — day-use
| • | Nov 3011:59pm MT Lottery closes for trips in March 2026. |
| • | Dec 112am MT Lottery opens for trips in April 2026. Lottery closes on December 31 at 11:59pm MT. Add to calendar |
Grand Canyon — overnight
| • | Dec 15pm MT Lottery closes for trips starting between February 1, 2026 and April 30, 2026. |
| • | Dec 1612am MT Lottery opens for trips starting in May 2026. Lottery closes on January 1, 2026 at 5pm MT. Add to calendar |
Zion Angels Landing — day-use
| • | 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
| • | Nov 253pm MT Lottery closes for trips between January 1, 2026 and March 31, 2026. |
| • | Dec 1510am MT Leftover reservations open for trips between January 1, 2026 and March 31, 2026. Add to calendar |
| • | 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 |
Zion Narrows — overnight
| • | Dec 510am MT Reservations open for trips starting between January 1, 2026 and March 31, 2026. Add to calendar |
Zion — overnight
| • | Dec 510am MT Reservations open for trips starting between January 1, 2026 and March 31, 2026. 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 December for trips starting in March 2026. Add to calendar |
East Coast
Great Smoky Mountains — overnight
| • | 30 days ahead12am ET Reservations open 30 days ahead of the trip start date. Book in December for trips starting in January 2026. 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 |
Was this helpful? Reply to this email to let me know.
See you next month! Expect to hear from me on December 25th for all deadlines in January.
 | Jordan Vincent |