The Enchantments Permit 2026
The hardest overnight permit in the Pacific Northwest. The Forest Service says fewer than 10% of applicants win a permit, and only 24 people a day enter the Core Zone, so knowing the calendar and the cancellation game matters more here than anywhere.
Don't Miss Your The Enchantments Permit
Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors The Enchantments availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
Get Permit Alerts2026 Permit Timeline
Lottery Opened
Lottery Closed
Results Posted
Unclaimed Permits Released
Fees + Season
🏔️ Five Lottery Zones
Core Enchantment Zone
The upper lakes basin everyone wants. Just 24 people a day enter, 16 through the advance lottery and 8 through the daily lottery.
Colchuck + Stuart
Both zones go through the same lottery. Colchuck is allocated 3 groups a day and Stuart 4, and Colchuck puts you at the base of Aasgard Pass.
Snow Lakes + Eightmile/Caroline
The largest allocations: Snow gets 5 groups a day, Eightmile/Caroline 3. Day hiking anywhere in the Enchantments still requires a permit, but it is free and self-issued at the trailhead instead of drawn in the lottery.
Lost the Lottery? Most People Did
Winners cancel and unclaimed permits return to Recreation.gov all season, starting with the April 1 release. Set up alerts to catch Core Zone nights the moment they appear.
Get The Enchantments Alerts
Be first to know when cancellations happen.