Last Issue
Never miss a permit deadline again
October 2023
Hey all!
The Lost Coast Trail permit process has changed! Instead of permits being released just once a year, permits are now released on a 3-month rolling window. It’s a good thing. It means that you now have more opportunities to get a permit!
The best time to visit is May through October, so the best time to apply starts in February. But if you’d like to plan your trip now, here is a quick guide:
Check out the interactive tide chart to know when to cross the impassable sections of the trail.
Other notable deadlines in October include Angels Landing (Dec–Feb), Maroon Bells-Snowmass (Dec–Mar), and Yellowstone (Nov–May).
Recreation.gov’s new availability alerts feature
Recreation.gov now allows you to get notified when sold-out campsites become available! It only works for campgrounds, but you can use Outdoor Status’s alerts to get notified about canceled backcountry permits.
California
Lost Coast — overnight
| • | 3 months ahead7am PT Reservations open 3 months ahead of the trip start date. Apply in October for trips starting in January, 2024. Add to calendar |
Half-Dome, Yosemite — day-use
| • | 2 days ahead12am PT Last-minute lottery opens 2 days ahead of the trip. Lottery closes the same day at 4pm PT. Add to calendar |
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 14 days ahead of the trip start date. Add to calendar |
Pacific Northwest
Central Cascades — overnight
| • | 7 days ahead7am PT Last-minute reservations open 7 days ahead of the trip start date. Add to calendar |
Central Cascades — day-use
| • | 2 days ahead7am PT Last-minute reservations open 2 days ahead of the trip. Add to calendar |
| • | 7 days ahead7am PT Reservations open 7 days ahead of the trip. Add to calendar |
Southwest
The Wave — day-use
| • | Sep 3011:59pm MT Lottery closes for trips in January, 2024. |
| • | Oct 1 Lottery opens for trips in February, 2024. Lottery closes October 31 at 11:59pm MT. Add to calendar |
Grand Canyon — overnight
| • | Oct 15pm MT Lottery closes for trips starting in February, 2024. |
| • | Oct 16 Lottery opens for trips starting in March, 2024. Lottery closes November 1 at 5pm MT. Add to calendar |
Zion — overnight
| • | Oct 510am MT Reservations open for trips starting in November. Add to calendar |
The Subway & Mystery Canyon, Zion — canyoneering
| • | Oct 510am MT Reservations open for trips in November. Add to calendar |
| • | 7 days ahead Last-minute lottery opens 7 days ahead of the trip. Lottery closes 2 days ahead at 12pm MT. Add to calendar |
Angels Landing, Zion — day-use
| • | Oct 110am MT Lottery opens for trips starting in December – February, 2024. Lottery closes October 20. Add to calendar |
| • | 1 day ahead12:01am MT Daily lottery opens 1 day ahead of the trip. Lottery closes at 3pm MT. Add to calendar |
Arches — day-use
| • | 1 day ahead6pm MT Last-minute reservations open 1 day ahead of entry. Add to calendar |
Havasupai — overnight
| • | Daily8am MT In 2023, no new permits are issued. But canceled permits are released every day at 8am MT. |
Rockies
Yellowstone — overnight
| • | Oct 68am MT Reservations open for trips starting in November 1 – May 14, 2024. Add to calendar |
Maroon Bells-Snowmass — overnight
| • | Oct 158am MT Reservations open for trips starting in December – March, 2024. Add to calendar |
Rocky Mountain — day-use
| • | 1 day ahead5pm MT Last-minute reservations open 1 day ahead of entry. Add to calendar |
Hawaii & Alaska
Napali Coast — overnight
| • | 90 days ahead12am HT Reservations open 90 days ahead of the trip start date. Apply in October for trips starting in January, 2024. Add to calendar |
Midwest & East Coast
Great Smoky Mountains — overnight
| • | 30 days ahead12am ET Reservations open 30 days ahead of the trip start date. Apply in October for trips starting in November. Add to calendar |
Past deadlinesIt's not too late! These parks may still have permits left. Desolation Wilderness — overnight Indian Peaks Wilderness — backpacking |
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See you next month! Expect to hear from me on October 25th for all deadlines in November.
 | Jordan Vincent |