Do I need a permit to backpack Cottonwood Campground?
Yes. You need a permit to backpack Cottonwood Campground in Grand Canyon National Park, and it is awarded by lottery rather than first come, first served.
Lottery permit
What the Cottonwood Campground permit costs and covers
- Fee
- $10 per permit or lottery application, plus $15 per person per night below the rim. Park entrance fees are paid separately on arrival.
- Group size limit
- 11 people
- Applications open
- The 16th of each month, four months before your start month
- Applications close
- 5 pm MST on the 1st of the following month
- Results
- Up to 750 applicants are awarded a booking timeslot; everyone else gets access on the 1st of the next month
- Season starts
- May 15, when Highway 67 and the North Rim reopen
- Season ends
- November 30; North Rim roads and services close December 1
What the rules require
- A backcountry permit is required and must be in your possession while below the rim
- Groups larger than eleven people may not camp in the same campground or use area; the park issues more permits for small groups (1-6) than large groups (7-11)
- Two nights maximum per campground per hike, or four nights in the Corridor between November 15 and February 28
- Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited; fossil-fuel backpacking stoves are allowed
- Store all food and scented items in the metal cans provided
- Pack out all trash, including toilet paper
- Pets are not allowed below the rim
- The North Kaibab is closed between the Redwall Bridge and the north end of this campground from 11:59 pm on October 15, 2026 to approximately February 2027
Published rules for the Cottonwood Campground, quoted as written.
Getting one
Lottery winners cancel and miss payment deadlines, and those dates go back into the booking system through the season. PermitSnag watches Cottonwood Campground and sends you an alert the moment one reappears.
Common questions about the Cottonwood Campground permit
Do I need a permit to backpack Cottonwood Campground?
Yes. You need a permit to backpack Cottonwood Campground in Grand Canyon National Park, and it is awarded by lottery rather than first come, first served.
How much does a Cottonwood Campground permit cost?
$10 per permit or lottery application, plus $15 per person per night below the rim. Park entrance fees are paid separately on arrival..
When can I apply for a Cottonwood Campground permit?
The application window opens The 16th of each month, four months before your start month. It closes 5 pm MST on the 1st of the following month. Results: Up to 750 applicants are awarded a booking timeslot; everyone else gets access on the 1st of the next month.
How many people can be on one Cottonwood Campground permit?
11 people.
When is the Cottonwood Campground permit season?
Season starts: May 15, when Highway 67 and the North Rim reopen. Season ends: November 30; North Rim roads and services close December 1.
What if I lose the Cottonwood Campground lottery?
Lottery winners cancel and miss payment deadlines, and those dates return to the booking system through the season. PermitSnag watches Cottonwood Campground for those cancellations and sends an alert when one appears.