National Forests & Wilderness Backcountry Permits
Designated wilderness areas within National Forests, managed by the US Forest Service. Home to some of the most competitive permit lotteries.
About National Forests & Wilderness Permits
National Forest wilderness areas offer some of the most remote and stunning terrain in the US. The Forest Service manages these lands with a lighter touch than National Parks, but quota systems protect the most popular destinations. The Enchantments lottery is legendary for its difficulty. BWCAW entry points require advance planning. These permits reward those who plan ahead.
Best Time to Visit
High Sierra and Pacific Northwest areas are best July through September. Lower elevation forests extend into spring and fall. Winter travel requires additional preparation and often different permit systems.
Signature Experiences
The most sought-after permits in National Forests & Wilderness
Core Zone
10/10“Camp among the spires and alpine lakes of Washington's most legendary wilderness—where granite towers rise above turquoise waters in a landscape of pure magic.”
Enchantments Thru
10/10“The crown jewel of Washington wilderness—granite spires, turquoise alpine lakes, and the infamous Aasgard Pass create an otherworldly landscape that draws hikers from around the world.”
Four Pass Loop
9/10“Cross four mountain passes above 12,000 feet as you circumnavigate the most photographed peaks in Colorado.”
Parks & Wilderness Areas
Browse permits by location (10 locations)
The Enchantments
Washington's premier alpine destination in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest....
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Over 1 million acres of pristine lakes in Superior National Forest....
Superior Hiking Trail
310-mile footpath following the rugged ridgeline above Lake Superior from Wisconsin to Canada....
Central Cascades Wilderness
Oregon's volcanic peaks in Willamette and Deschutes National Forests....
Mt. Hood Wilderness
Oregon's iconic volcanic peak with the Timberline Trail circling its glaciated slopes....
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
The volcano that famously erupted in 1980, now offering unique volcanic terrain and the Loowit Trail...
Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness
Colorado's most photographed peaks in White River National Forest....
Los Padres National Forest
Rugged coastal wilderness from Big Sur to Santa Barbara. Includes Ventana and Silver Peak Wilderness...
Bridger-Teton National Forest / Wind River Range
Wyoming's Wind River Range: remote alpine wilderness with America's largest glaciers outside Alaska ...
Thru-Hikes & Long Trails
Epic multi-day traverses in National Forests & Wilderness (8 trails)
Enchantments Thru
Enchantments
18-mile point-to-point traverse through the Enchantments, from Snow Lakes to Stuart Lake (or via Aas...
12-15 hours day hike, or 2-3 days overnight
SHT Thru-Hike
SHT
310-mile ridge walk above Lake Superior from the Wisconsin border to the Canadian border—the Midwest...
3-4 weeks
Timberline Trail
Mt. Hood
Circle Oregon's most iconic peak on a 41-mile loop through alpine meadows, past cascading waterfalls...
3-4 days
Loowit Trail
Mt. St. Helens
Walk through the aftermath of one of America's most violent volcanic eruptions—a 30-mile loop across...
2-3 days
Four Pass Loop
Maroon Bells
Colorado's most iconic backpacking loop—27 miles crossing four 12,000+ ft passes through the heart o...
3-4 days
Wind River High Route
Wind Rivers
America's premier off-trail alpine traverse—80 miles of glacier crossings, 12,000-foot passes, and r...
6-8 days
CT Thru-Hike
CT
Walk 486 miles from Denver to Durango through the heart of the Rocky Mountains—crossing eight mounta...
4-6 weeks
Collegiate Loop
CT
160-mile loop combining the Colorado Trail's Collegiate East and West routes through the heart of th...
Search National Forests & Wilderness Permits
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Planning a bigger trip? Check out permits in other areas.
National Forests & Wilderness Permit FAQ
How many backcountry permits does PermitSnag track in National Forests & Wilderness?
PermitSnag tracks over 101 backcountry permits across National Forests & Wilderness, including day-use permits, overnight permits, thru-hike entries, and specialized permits like canyoneering and river access.
What are the most popular permits in National Forests & Wilderness?
The most competitive National Forests & Wilderness permits include Core Zone, Enchantments Thru, Four Pass Loop. These permits often sell out immediately when released.
How do I get notified about National Forests & Wilderness permit cancellations?
Sign up for PermitSnag to receive instant alerts when National Forests & Wilderness permits become available due to cancellations. Our system monitors availability 24/7 and notifies you immediately.
Permit Directory
Browse Backcountry Permits
Find permits for day hikes, overnight backpacking, thru-hikes, canyoneering, and river trips across federal and state lands.
National Park Permits
Day-use, overnight, and wilderness permits at America's crown jewels
California Wilderness Permits
Sierra Nevada, Lost Coast, and backcountry access
Utah & BLM Permits
Red rock canyons, slot canyon permits, and desert wilderness
National Forest & Wilderness Permits
USFS wilderness areas with quota systems
Thru-Hikes & Long Trails
Multi-day point-to-point traverses and epic long-distance trails
River Permits
Multi-day rafting and river access permits
California State Park Permits
Backcountry camping and trail permits
Mountaineering & Summit Permits
High-altitude summit permits and technical climbing routes