How to Get a Wonderland Trail Permit in 2026
Circle the most glaciated peak in the Lower 48 on a 93-mile journey through wildflower meadows, ancient forests, and alpine terrain. Here's how to secure your permit.
Check Availability~20%
Lottery Odds
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 • ~70% 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 • ~30% of permits
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
2026 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
Be Flexible with Dates
Weekday starts (Tuesday-Thursday) have significantly better lottery odds than weekend starts. July dates are most competitive. Late August and September have better odds.
Select Multiple Alternate Campsites
For each night, choose a primary camp and 2-3 alternates. The lottery algorithm tries alternates if primaries are unavailable. More flexibility = better odds.
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
30% of permits are held for walk-ups. 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
What are the odds of winning the Wonderland Trail lottery?
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The Wonderland Trail lottery has approximately 20-25% success rates, varying by year and dates requested. Weekday starts have better odds than weekends. Flexible itineraries with multiple camp options also improve your chances.
When does the Wonderland Trail lottery open for 2026?
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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. About 30% of permits are held for walk-up availability. These are issued starting at 1pm the day before your trip begins at wilderness information centers. 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
