Daily Lottery Permit: Dates
Daily Lottery permits are drawn by lottery in The Enchantments.
This guide covers the Enchantments daily lottery.
$6 application + $5/person/day
Permit Cost
About Daily Lottery
The one-day-ahead lottery for the Enchantment Permit Area. You apply from a phone inside a one-mile geofence around the Leavenworth Ranger Station, between 7:00 and 10:00 a.m. PT, for the next day's entry.
The Daily Lottery route
North Cascades. Nearest town: Leavenworth
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Pro Tips
You have to be in Leavenworth to apply, so build a night in town into the plan
The window is three hours: 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. PT, on a phone or tablet with location on
Results land by email around 11:00 a.m. PT, and you pay by 11:59 p.m. the same day
Enter for a zone you would actually be happy with, because you cannot change it later
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Daily Lottery permit?
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Daily Lottery permits are distributed through a lottery. Apply during the application window, and check the agency's own page for the dates.
When is the best time to visit Daily Lottery?
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Late July through September is the snow-free stretch. Late September into early October is larch season, which is the most beautiful and the most contested. Because you apply the day before, you can watch the forecast first, which is the one real advantage this lottery has over the advance one.
What if I don't win the Daily Lottery lottery?
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Apply again when the next application window opens, and look at similar permits in the area in the meantime.
What gear do I need for the Daily Lottery route?
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Essential gear includes: Water filter or treatment for lake and creek sources, Warm layers and rain gear, because the Cascades turn fast at 7,000 feet, Sturdy boots for the loose rock on Aasgard Pass, Bear-resistant food storage.
Don't Miss Your Daily Lottery Permit
We remind you when the Daily Lottery lottery opens, before it closes, and when results post.
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