Do I need a permit to thru-hike Copper Ridge Loop?
Yes. You need a permit to thru-hike Copper Ridge Loop in North Cascades National Park, and it is booked in advance through a reservation system rather than won in a lottery.
Permit required
What the Copper Ridge Loop permit costs and covers
- Fee
- $10 per person per trip for adults 16 and over, youth free, plus a $6 non-refundable reservation fee.
- Group size limit
- 12 people
- Applications open
- March 2, 2026
- Applications close
- March 13, 2026, 9:00 pm PT
- Results
- March 20, 2026 - awarded applicants book March 24 to April 21; general on-sale April 29 at 7:00 am PT
- Season starts
- July 1 - reservations are not allowed for trips starting earlier
- Season ends
- October 10, 2026
What the rules require
- A backcountry permit is required year-round for all overnight trips
- Group size is limited to 12 within all trail corridors and camps and includes people and stock; the ridge camps cap at four per site
- No campfires at any camp on Copper Ridge, or at Boundary and Whatcom camps
- Ford the Chilliwack River only at low water; use the cable car crossing at other times
- Reservations must be made at least 2 days before the trip start, and permits collected by 11 am on day one
- Reservations are not accepted for trips in this area starting before July 1
- Whatcom Camp, Graybeal, Graybeal Stock and U.S. Cabin Stock Camp are closed, and the trail is closed beyond Whatcom Pass
Published rules for the Copper Ridge Loop, quoted as written.
Getting one
Dates for Copper Ridge Loop sell out and then come back as people cancel. PermitSnag watches Copper Ridge Loop and sends you an alert the moment one reappears.
Common questions about the Copper Ridge Loop permit
Do I need a permit to thru-hike Copper Ridge Loop?
Yes. You need a permit to thru-hike Copper Ridge Loop in North Cascades National Park, and it is booked in advance through a reservation system rather than won in a lottery.
How much does a Copper Ridge Loop permit cost?
$10 per person per trip for adults 16 and over, youth free, plus a $6 non-refundable reservation fee..
When can I apply for a Copper Ridge Loop permit?
The application window opens March 2, 2026. It closes March 13, 2026, 9:00 pm PT. Results: March 20, 2026 - awarded applicants book March 24 to April 21; general on-sale April 29 at 7:00 am PT.
How many people can be on one Copper Ridge Loop permit?
12 people.
When is the Copper Ridge Loop permit season?
Season starts: July 1 - reservations are not allowed for trips starting earlier. Season ends: October 10, 2026.