Wonderland Trail Lottery: Dates, Odds and How to Apply
Circle the most glaciated peak in the Lower 48 on a 93-mile journey through wildflower meadows, ancient forests, and alpine terrain. The Wonderland Trail lottery opens in February each year, and about two thirds of summer permits go through it.
Wonderland Trail permit alertsThis guide covers the Wonderland Trail permit.
Wonderland Trail lottery at a glance
Mount Rainier publishes no success rate for the Wonderland Trail early-access lottery. What the park does publish is the split: two thirds of wilderness permits are available for advance reservation, and the remaining third are issued first-come, first-served at ranger stations.
When the Wonderland Trail lottery runs
| Applications open | February - early access lottery opens on Recreation.gov |
|---|---|
| Applications close | Check Recreation.gov for the exact February close date |
| Results announced | Individual access windows open between March and April |
The window the managing agency publishes for this permit. Agencies move it, so check the official permit page before you apply.
How the agency describes it
“The early access lottery opens in February each year. … Successful applicants will be provided a date and time that their individual access window opens, falling between March and April. … All remaining reservable inventory becomes available on Recreation.gov starting April 25.”
National Park Service, Mount Rainier wilderness permits, read on September 4, 2026. Open the official permit page, which carries this season’s exact dates.
Wonderland Trail lottery odds
| Year | Lottery | Applications | Awarded | Success rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Wilderness permit supply (advance vs walk-up)Two thirds of wilderness permits go to advance reservation, one third to first-come, first-served. Sites and zones open for reservation on April 25. NPS publishes no lottery success rate. | Not published | Not published | Not published |
Sources: Recreation.gov — Mount Rainier Wilderness Permits · NPS — Wonderland Trail
Last checked against the agency August 6, 2026. See the full Wonderland Trail odds breakdown
Apply as a crew
Every extra person entering the Wonderland Trail lottery for the same dates is another chance at the same trip. Whoever wins takes the group.
2/3
Reservable Permits
93 mi
Loop Distance
$7/night
Permit Cost
Jul-Sep
Season
23,000 ft
Total Gain
You Must Book Specific Campsites
Unlike other wilderness permits, Wonderland Trail requires reserving specific campsites for each night. Your permit locks in an exact itinerary. This means planning your daily mileage in advance and knowing which of the 18 backcountry camps work for your pace.
Two Ways to Get a Permit
Advance Lottery
Your best shot • two thirds of permits
Apply for specific start date and complete itinerary
Select primary and alternate campsites for each night
$6 application fee + $7/person/night if successful
Results announced late March/early April
Walk-Up Permits
Flexible dates • the other one third
Available at Longmire, White River, Carbon River WICs
Issued starting at 1pm the day before your trip
First-come, first-served • arrive by 10-11am
Weekdays have better availability than weekends
Key Dates
Lottery Timeline
Hiking Season
Get Wonderland Trail Alerts
Be first to know when cancellations happen.
Sample 11-Night Itinerary (Clockwise)
Starting from Longmire, the most popular trailhead with year-round facilities.
5 Strategies to Improve Your Odds
Put April 25 on the Calendar
Sites and zones open for reservations on April 25. Whether or not you drew an early booking window, that is the day the full circuit is most bookable.
Have Several Itineraries Ready
The lottery hands you a booking window, not a trip. For each night, line up a primary camp and 2-3 alternates before your window opens so you can book in one sitting.
Include Less Popular Camps
Camps like Pyramid Creek, Eagles Roost, and South Puyallup are less in-demand than Summerland, Indian Bar, and Mystic Lake. Build these into your itinerary.
Try the Walk-Up Route
If you can be flexible with dates, walk-up permits offer a second chance. Be prepared to wait at a Wilderness Information Center with multiple itinerary options.
Monitor Cancellations
Cancelled permits return to Recreation.gov. They can appear any time, often with short notice. PermitSnag monitors these releases 24/7.
Popular Starting Points
Longmire
Most popular trailhead. Year-round facilities, classic starting point with visitor center and museum.
Highest demandWhite River
Access to Sunrise area. Higher starting elevation means easier first day.
Moderate demandMowich Lake
Northwest quadrant start. Less crowded, puts the steep Carbon River section early.
Lower demandResupply Strategy
93 miles requires either carrying all your food (heavy!) or resupplying mid-trip. Most hikers arrange a food cache at Sunrise around day 7-8.
- Longmire: General store, limited backpacking food
- Sunrise: Snack bar, limited supplies (seasonal)
- Food Cache: Have someone meet you at Sunrise
Didn't Win? You Still Have Options
Walk-Up Permits
One third of permits are issued first-come, first-served at ranger stations. Arrive at a Wilderness Information Center by 10-11am the day before.
Cancellation Alerts
Permits get cancelled throughout the season. PermitSnag monitors 24/7 and alerts you instantly.
Section Hikes
Shorter overnight trips (3-5 nights) on the Wonderland are easier to permit and still spectacular.
Pro Tips from Wonderland Veterans
Train for the elevation
23,000+ feet of cumulative gain means constant ups and downs. Your knees will thank you for trekking poles.
Expect rain
This is the Pacific Northwest. Rain gear and waterproof shelter are mandatory, even in summer.
Bring a bear canister
Required in most camps. Hanging food doesn't work at treeline. Rent from ranger stations if needed.
Peak wildflowers
Late July to mid-August. Spray Park and Paradise Park are legendary for flower displays.
Check bridge status
Glacial rivers can wash out bridges. Check with rangers before setting out.
Direction matters
Most go clockwise. Counter-clockwise puts the steep Carbon River ascent early rather than near the end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Wonderland Trail lottery?
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Yes. Mount Rainier runs an early-access lottery each spring that awards a booking window, not an itinerary. Two thirds of wilderness permits are available for advance reservation, and the remaining third are issued at ranger stations on a first-come, first-served basis. Sites and zones open for reservations on April 25.
What are the odds of winning the Wonderland Trail lottery?
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Mount Rainier publishes no success rate for the early-access lottery, so any percentage you find for it is somebody's estimate. What the park does publish is the supply: two thirds of wilderness permits go to advance reservation and the remaining third are issued first-come, first-served at ranger stations, with sites and zones opening for reservations on April 25.
When does the Wonderland Trail lottery open?
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The lottery typically opens in late February and runs through March. For 2026, expect the lottery window to open around February 15-20 and close around March 15. Results are announced in late March or early April.
How long does it take to hike the Wonderland Trail?
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Most hikers complete the 93-mile loop in 10-14 days. Faster hikers can finish in 7-8 days, while those taking side trips or rest days may take 14-18 days. The trail has approximately 23,000 feet of elevation gain.
Do I need to reserve specific campsites for the Wonderland Trail?
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Yes. Your permit includes specific campsites for each night of your trip. During the lottery, you select your itinerary including camps. Walk-up permits may have less flexibility in camp selection.
Can I get a Wonderland Trail permit without winning the lottery?
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Yes. One third of wilderness permits are issued at ranger stations on a first-come, first-served basis, starting at 1pm the day before your trip begins. Arrive early and have flexible dates and camp preferences.
Don't Miss Your Wonderland Trail Permit
Cancellations happen throughout the season. PermitSnag monitors Wonderland Trail availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
Get Permit Alerts
Other Washington permits
If the Wonderland draw does not land, these are the two Washington trips people move to.
- Enchantments Through-Hike permit datesWashington's hardest overnight draw, and the reason people hike the whole 18 miles in a day instead.
- Mount St. Helens climbing permit datesWashington's one climbing quota that is not a lottery: permits for a whole month go on sale at 7:00 AM PT on the 1st.