How to Get a Snow Zone Permit
Five groups a night — the biggest allocation of any Enchantments zone, and the one people forget to apply for.
Check Snow Zone permit availability5
Groups Per Day
$6 non-refundable lottery application fee, then $5.00 per person per day May 15 - October 31 if you draw a permit
Permit Cost
2-3 days
Duration
13 miles
Distance
4,100'
Elevation Gain
About Snow Zone
The Snow Zone is the largest allocation in the Enchantment Permit Area: USFS issues five groups per day to it, against four for Stuart, three each for Colchuck and Eightmile/Caroline, and 24 people per day for the Core Zone. A group can be up to eight people. USFS describes the zone as the Snow Lakes and Nada Lake basin plus the Snow Creek drainage — mostly forested, and more forgiving to campers in bad weather than the other permit zones, while still holding views of the surrounding peaks. The trail climbs steadily for 6.5 miles from the Snow Lakes Trailhead, gaining 4,100 feet. The zone touches the Core. Beyond Snow Lakes the trail ascends steeply over granite slabs another 1,400 feet to Lake Viviane, which is in the Core Zone. A Snow Zone permit lets you day hike the whole Core basin; it does not let you camp above Upper Snow Lake, and there are no established campsites between Upper Snow and Viviane anyway.
Every February the Enchantments lottery gets treated as one thing. It is not: USFS splits it five ways, and the Snow Zone takes five groups a day, more than any other. It is also the forgiving one. USFS describes the Snow Zone as mostly forested and more sheltered in bad weather than the other zones, which matters in a place where June and September routinely deliver winter.
The Experience
This is the long way in. Six and a half miles of steady climbing through forest with the Snow Creek drainage below you, and then the basin opens onto Nada and the Snow Lakes with the same rugged peaks the Core Zone gets, seen from underneath.
USFS puts it plainly: the trail climbs steadily for 6.5 miles from the Snow Lakes Trailhead, gaining 4,100 feet. That is the whole approach, and it is the reason this zone stays the easiest to draw.
Beyond Snow Lakes the trail turns primitive, ascending steeply over granite slabs another 1,400 feet to Lake Viviane — which is inside the Core Zone. Groups with a Snow Zone permit are welcome to day hike throughout the Core Zone but must camp at or below Upper Snow Lake. USFS notes there are no established campsites between Upper Snow and Lake Viviane, so the boundary is also a practical one.
What to Expect
The best draw odds of any Enchantments zone — five groups a day is the largest allocation
A long, steady, forested climb rather than a scramble
Shelter that the higher zones do not have when the weather turns
Legal day-hiking access to the entire Core Zone
A free Overnight Visitor Parking Pass with the permit, displayed on the dashboard
Get Snow Zone Alerts
Be first to know when cancellations happen.
Permit Requirements
Maximum group size is eight people, including stock
Camp at or below Upper Snow Lake — camping in the Core Zone is not allowed on a Snow Zone permit
Dogs are prohibited throughout the Enchantment Permit Area
No campfires above 5,000 feet or within half a mile of any lake
The permit must be printed and signed; an unsigned permit on a cell phone is not valid
All group members must begin on the reserved start date and camp with the permit holder
One permit per person per season, including serving as an alternate group leader
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •A printed and signed permit — USFS is explicit that an unsigned permit on a phone is not valid
- •Water filter for the lakes
- •A stove: no campfires above 5,000 feet or within half a mile of any lake
- •Rain gear and warm layers; May, June, September and October are shoulder seasons where winter conditions are normal
- •Sturdy boots for primitive, steep, rocky trail
Recommended Gear
- •Trekking poles for a 4,100-foot descent with a pack
- •A day pack for the Core Zone day hike
- •Microspikes in May, June and October
Hazards & Safety
The granite slabs above Upper Snow Lake are the primitive section and get slick when wet
Sudden weather; USFS calls May, June, September and October shoulder seasons with winter-like conditions
Snow lingering on the upper trail well past the May 15 opening
Mountain goats around camps
Best Time to Visit
May 15 to October 31 is the permit season. Because the Snow Zone is lower and more forested it comes into shape earlier than the Core and stays usable later. Late September into early October is larch season and by far the most contested stretch.
Pro Tips
Snow takes five groups a day, the most of any zone — if your goal is to get into the Enchantments at all, this is the line to stand in
Apply for every zone on the same application; they have separate allocations
A Snow Zone permit day hikes the entire Core Zone legally. Camp at or below Upper Snow Lake
There are no established campsites between Upper Snow and Lake Viviane, so the camping boundary is also where the sites stop
One permit per person per season, and being an alternate group leader counts against it
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 Snow Zone permit?
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Snow Zone permits are distributed through a lottery system. Apply during the lottery window, and if you're not selected, check for cancellations as they become available.
When is the best time to visit Snow Zone?
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May 15 to October 31 is the permit season. Because the Snow Zone is lower and more forested it comes into shape earlier than the Core and stays usable later. Late September into early October is larch season and by far the most contested stretch.
How difficult is Snow Zone?
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Backpackers who want an Enchantments permit they can actually get, and do not mind earning it with 4,100 feet of climbing.
What if I don't win the Snow Zone lottery?
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Cancellations happen regularly. Use PermitSnag to monitor availability and get alerts when spots open up. You can also check for walk-up permits or consider similar alternatives in the area.
What gear do I need for Snow Zone?
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Essential gear includes: A printed and signed permit — USFS is explicit that an unsigned permit on a phone is not valid, Water filter for the lakes, A stove: no campfires above 5,000 feet or within half a mile of any lake, Rain gear and warm layers; May, June, September and October are shoulder seasons where winter conditions are normal, Sturdy boots for primitive, steep, rocky trail.
Don't Miss Your Snow Zone Permit
Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors Snow Zone availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
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