How to Get an Enchantments Permit in 2026
Turquoise alpine lakes, golden larches, and granite spires. The Core Zone lottery has just 3-5% odds. Here's how to maximize your chances.
Check Availability~4%
Core Zone Odds
3
Permit Zones
$6/night
Permit Cost
May-Oct
Season
19 mi
Traverse
The Core Zone Reality
With roughly 8-12 permits per day and tens of thousands of applicants, the Core Zone is one of the hardest permits to get in America. But there are strategies that work, and alternatives that still deliver an incredible experience.
Three Permit Zones, Different Odds
Core Zone
Most competitive • ~3-5% odds
The heart of the Enchantments: Perfection Lake, Inspiration Lake, Leprechaun Lake, Lake Viviane, and views of Prusik Peak. This is what photographers come for.
Colchuck Zone
Moderate competition • ~10-15% odds
Camp at stunning Colchuck Lake beneath Dragontail Peak. From here, you can day-hike up Aasgard Pass to see the Core Zone without an overnight permit for that zone.
Snow Zone
Easiest permits • ~20-30% odds
Snow Lakes and Nada Lake from the south trailhead. Beautiful but less dramatic than the Core. Works well as an exit point for the full through-hike.
2026 Key Dates
Lottery Timeline
Season Info
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Be first to know when cancellations happen.
5 Strategies to Improve Your Odds
Apply for Colchuck Zone
With 3x better odds than Core Zone, Colchuck lets you camp at a stunning lake and day-hike into the Core via Aasgard Pass. Best of both worlds.
Choose Weekdays
Weekend nights (Friday-Saturday) have the highest demand. Tuesday-Thursday nights have significantly better odds.
Try Shoulder Season
June (some snow may remain) and late October (cold, possible snow) have lower demand. Larch season is the most competitive.
Lottery Pool with Friends
Each person can submit their own lottery application. If anyone wins, they can add others to their permit. Multiply your odds.
Hunt Cancellations
After the lottery, cancelled permits return as first-come, first-served. PermitSnag monitors 24/7 and alerts you instantly.
The Aasgard Pass Question
Aasgard Pass is a notorious 2,200-foot scramble connecting Colchuck Lake to the Core Zone. It's the fastest way in, but it's not easy.
2,200 ft
in < 1 mile
Elevation Gain
Talus & Scree
Class 2-3
Terrain
~Late June
Check conditions
Snow-Free
Ascending
Most prefer
Best Direction
No Permit? Day-Use is Free
Day-use doesn't require a permit. You can experience the Enchantments in a single long day:
Full Traverse
19 miles from Stuart Lake to Snow Lakes. Start at 4am, finish in 12-15 hours. Brutal but doable.
Colchuck Day Hike
8 miles round trip to Colchuck Lake. Stunning views of Dragontail Peak without the permit.
Aasgard Day Mission
Climb Aasgard Pass from Colchuck, explore Core Zone, return same day. 14+ hours, very demanding.
What Happens When You Win
Pay permit fee
$6/person/night
Confirm itinerary
Dates & group size
Print permit
Self-print, no pickup
Arrange shuttle
For through-hike
Start hiking
Display permit
Didn't Win? You Still Have Options
Cancellation Alerts
Permits get cancelled throughout the season. PermitSnag monitors 24/7 and alerts you instantly.
Day Hike Traverse
No permit needed. 19 miles in a day is tough but lets you experience everything.
Try Snow Zone
20-30% odds for a beautiful, less crowded alternative. Still wilderness, still worth it.
Pro Tips from Enchantments Veterans
Larch season is worth the crowds
Late September turns the Enchantments golden. Apply for those dates if you can handle the competition.
Start Aasgard Pass early
The sun hits the pass by mid-morning. Start at dawn for cooler temperatures and safer conditions.
Filter all water
Plenty of lakes, but giardia is present. Filter everything. Don't trust that crystal-clear water.
Two-car shuttle
Park one car at Stuart Lake Trailhead, one at Snow Lakes. Makes the through-hike much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the odds of winning the Enchantments lottery?
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The Core Zone has approximately 3-5% success rates, making it one of the most competitive permits in America. Colchuck Zone has better odds around 10-15%, and Snow Zone is easier at 20-30%. Daily permits have varying odds depending on day of week.
When does the Enchantments lottery open for 2026?
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The Enchantments lottery typically runs from late February through early March. For 2026, expect applications to open around February 15 and close around March 1. Results are announced in early March.
What is the difference between Enchantments permit zones?
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The Core Zone (most competitive) includes the iconic lakes like Perfection, Inspiration, and Leprechaun. Colchuck Zone includes only Colchuck Lake. Snow Zone covers the lower lakes accessed from the Snow Lakes trailhead. Each zone has separate quotas and lottery odds.
Can I do the Enchantments through-hike without camping?
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Yes. The 19-mile Enchantments Traverse can be done as a very long day hike (12-15 hours), and day-use does not require a permit. You cannot camp overnight anywhere in the Enchantments without a valid overnight permit for your specific zone.
When is the best time to visit the Enchantments?
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Late September to early October is legendary for golden larch season. July-August offers the most reliable weather but higher permit demand. Snow typically clears from Aasgard Pass by late June or early July.
Don't Miss Your Enchantments Permit
Cancellations happen throughout the season. PermitSnag monitors Enchantments availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
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