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Never miss a permit deadline again
May 2026
Hey all,
Most advance permit lotteries have passed, but it’s not too late if you couldn’t secure a permit. Many parks are releasing unclaimed permits. This includes:
- Yellowstone: April 26
- North Cascades: April 29
- Glacier: May 1
New Zealand reservations are opening up for the 2026–2027 season
If you’re an outdoor lover, New Zealand has everything you need. The Great Walks are New Zealand’s premier trails and are ideal for a first trip to the islands. Just as in North America, reservations are required and fill up quickly, so it’s necessary to book early. The 2026–2027 season opens next month at 9:30 AM New Zealand time (2:30 AM PDT) on the following dates:
- May 12: Paparoa Track
- May 13: Milford Track
- May 14: Abel Tasman Coast Track
- May 15: Routeburn Track
- May 19: Kepler Track
- May 20: Heaphy Track, Whanganui Journey, Lake Waikaremoana Track
- May 21: Tongariro Northern Circuit, Rakiura Track
You can also create Outdoor Status alerts for New Zealand’s Great Walks.
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 closing on May 1 and October’s lottery opens on May 16. Check out the interactive guide.
California
Inyo — overnight
| • | 2 weeks ahead7am PT Last-minute reservations open 2 weeks ahead of the trip start date. Add to calendar |
| • | 6 months ahead7am PT Reservations open 6 months ahead of the trip start date. Book in May for trips starting in November. Add to calendar |
King Range (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 |
Point Reyes — 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 |
Yosemite Half Dome — day-use
| • | 2 days ahead (starting May 22)12am PT Last-minute lottery opens 2 days ahead of the trip date. Lottery closes 2 days ahead the trip date at 4pm PT. Add to calendar |
Yosemite — overnight
| • | Apr 2511:59pm PT Lottery closes for trips starting October 11–18. |
| • | May 19am PT Leftover reservations open for trips starting October 11–18. Add to calendar |
| • | 1 week ahead7am PT Last-minute reservations open 1 week ahead of the trip start date. Add to calendar |
Pacific Northwest
Mount St. Helens — day-use
| • | May 17am PT Reservations open for trips in June. Add to calendar |
North Cascades — overnight
| • | Apr 297am PT Leftover reservations open for trips starting between May 15 and October 10. Add to calendar |
Southwest
Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) — day-use
| • | Apr 3011:59pm MT Lottery closes for trips in August. |
| • | May 112am MT Lottery opens for trips in September. Lottery closes on May 31 at 11:59pm MT. Add to calendar |
Grand Canyon — overnight
| • | May 18am MT Leftover reservations open for trips starting in August. Add to calendar |
| • | May 15pm MT Lottery closes for trips starting in September. |
| • | May 1612am MT Lottery opens for trips starting in October. Lottery closes on June 1 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 |
| • | 1 day ahead (starting Jun 1)12:01am 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
| • | May 112am MT Lottery opens for trips between July 1 and September 30. Lottery closes on May 25 at 3pm MT. 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 |
Rockies
Glacier — overnight
| • | May 18am MT Last-minute reservations open for trips starting between May 1 and September 30. Add to calendar |
Indian Peaks — overnight
| • | 3 days ahead (starting Jun 1)8am MT Last-minute reservations open 3 days ahead of the trip start date. Add to calendar |
Rocky Mountain — day-use
| • | May 18am MT Reservations open for trips between May 22 and June 30. Add to calendar |
Yellowstone — overnight
| • | Apr 268am MT Leftover reservations open for trips starting between May 15 and October 31. Add to calendar |
Hawaii
Nā Pali Coast State Park (Kalalau Trail) — overnight
| • | 90 days ahead12:01am HT Reservations open 90 days ahead of the trip start date. Book in May for trips starting in August. 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 May for trips starting in June. 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 |
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See you next month! Expect to hear from me on May 25th for all deadlines in June.
 | Jordan Vincent |