Lottery10/10
Enchantments Core Zone lottery
Overnight permits for the legendary Core Zone—one of America's most spectacular ...
Snow Zone Permit
The Enchantments · Washington
This season's lottery is done · cancellations are the way in
Lower elevation zone.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Snow Zone were gone within 10 minutes.
Plan the full trip, not just the permit
Build your full itinerary start to finish
Add your dates and get a day-by-day plan: what needs a permit, what gear to bring, and one link to share with your whole group to coordinate every step.
Start a plan — it's free
No permit needed to start
The Enchantments traverse is covered by three separate zone permits, not one through-hike permit. See the Enchantments Through-Hike permit page.
Snow Zone Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodLottery
Demand LevelModerate6/10
SeasonMay 15 - October 31
Cost$6 non-refundable lottery application fee, then $5.00 per person per day May 15 - October 31 if you draw a permit
Daily Quota5 groups
Max Group Size8 people
Snow Zone Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Snow Zone in The Enchantments, Washington requires a permit issued via lottery.
- The Snow Zone lottery typically opens February 15 and closes March 1, with results announced March 17.
- The permit season for Snow Zone runs May 15 through October 31.
- The Snow Zone route covers 13 miles with 4,100 feet of elevation gain, rated strenuous.
- Cancelled Snow Zone permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Key Dates
Lottery OpensFebruary 15
Lottery ClosesMarch 1
ResultsMarch 17
SeasonMay 15 - October 31
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodLottery
Demand Level6/10
LocationAlpine Lakes Wilderness, North Cascades, WA
Pro Tips
- •Snow takes five groups a day, the most of any zone — if your goal is to get into the Enchantments at all, this is the line to stand in
- •Apply for every zone on the same application; they have separate allocations
- •A Snow Zone permit day hikes the entire Core Zone legally. Camp at or below Upper Snow Lake
- •There are no established campsites between Upper Snow and Lake Viviane, so the camping boundary is also where the sites stop
- •One permit per person per season, and being an alternate group leader counts against it
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
13 miles
Elevation Gain
4,100 ft
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
2-3 days
Difficulty
StrenuousElevation Range
1,370 - 5,433 ft
Highlights
- •The best draw odds of any Enchantments zone — five groups a day is the largest allocation
- •A long, steady, forested climb rather than a scramble
- •Shelter that the higher zones do not have when the weather turns
- •Legal day-hiking access to the entire Core Zone
- •A free Overnight Visitor Parking Pass with the permit, displayed on the dashboard
Best Time to Visit
May 15 to October 31 is the permit season. Because the Snow Zone is lower and more forested it comes into shape earlier than the Core and stays usable later. Late September into early October is larch season and by far the most contested stretch.
Hazards & Considerations
- !The granite slabs above Upper Snow Lake are the primitive section and get slick when wet
- !Sudden weather; USFS calls May, June, September and October shoulder seasons with winter-like conditions
- !Snow lingering on the upper trail well past the May 15 opening
- !Mountain goats around camps
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- Tomorrow: 97% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
- Snow expected: Check current trail conditions before departing.
Today
❄️
46°
34°
37%
Sun
❄️
35°
32°
97%
Mon
🌫️
51°
26°
Tue
☁️
47°
30°
Wed
☀️
57°
33°
Thu
☀️
61°
37°
Fri
☀️
63°
40°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Verify your email and add payment info ahead of time.
2
Apply during the lottery window
Submit your application between February 15 and March 1. Apply for multiple dates to increase your odds.
3
Wait for lottery results
Results are typically announced March 17. Check your email and your Recreation.gov account.
4
If unsuccessful, monitor cancellations
Permits get cancelled daily. Peak cancellation times are 24-48 hours before the trip date.
5
Set up PermitSnag alerts
Get notified when cancellations happen. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.
When to Go
Peak: August through early OctoberShoulder: Late May, June and late October
Conditions
Opens May 15. Lower and more forested than the other zones, so it clears earlier — but the upper trail holds snow.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Easiest zone to draw, at the easiest time of year to draw it
- +Water everywhere
Challenges
- !Snow above Snow Lakes
- !Cold nights
- !Slabs are treacherous wet
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand4/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill2/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk2/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation2/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Backpackers who want an Enchantments permit they can actually get, and do not mind earning it with 4,100 feet of climbing.
Recommended Experience
A previous long day with a pack on. The trail is steady rather than technical until the slabs above Upper Snow Lake.
Not Recommended For
Anyone whose whole reason for going is to camp among the Core Zone lakes — this permit does not allow that.
About This Permit
The Snow Zone is the largest allocation in the Enchantment Permit Area: USFS issues five groups per day to it, against four for Stuart, three each for Colchuck and Eightmile/Caroline, and 24 people per day for the Core Zone. A group can be up to eight people.
USFS describes the zone as the Snow Lakes and Nada Lake basin plus the Snow Creek drainage — mostly forested, and more forgiving to campers in bad weather than the other permit zones, while still holding views of the surrounding peaks. The trail climbs steadily for 6.5 miles from the Snow Lakes Trailhead, gaining 4,100 feet.
The zone touches the Core. Beyond Snow Lakes the trail ascends steeply over granite slabs another 1,400 feet to Lake Viviane, which is in the Core Zone. A Snow Zone permit lets you day hike the whole Core basin; it does not let you camp above Upper Snow Lake, and there are no established campsites between Upper Snow and Viviane anyway.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Every February the Enchantments lottery gets treated as one thing. It is not: USFS splits it five ways, and the Snow Zone takes five groups a day, more than any other. It is also the forgiving one. USFS describes the Snow Zone as mostly forested and more sheltered in bad weather than the other zones, which matters in a place where June and September routinely deliver winter.
The Route
USFS puts it plainly: the trail climbs steadily for 6.5 miles from the Snow Lakes Trailhead, gaining 4,100 feet. That is the whole approach, and it is the reason this zone stays the easiest to draw.
Beyond Snow Lakes the trail turns primitive, ascending steeply over granite slabs another 1,400 feet to Lake Viviane — which is inside the Core Zone. Groups with a Snow Zone permit are welcome to day hike throughout the Core Zone but must camp at or below Upper Snow Lake. USFS notes there are no established campsites between Upper Snow and Lake Viviane, so the boundary is also a practical one.
The Feeling
This is the long way in. Six and a half miles of steady climbing through forest with the Snow Creek drainage below you, and then the basin opens onto Nada and the Snow Lakes with the same rugged peaks the Core Zone gets, seen from underneath.
Trailhead Information
Snow Lakes Trailhead
On Icicle Creek Road out of Leavenworth. Also the exit for hikers traversing the Enchantments from Stuart Lake.
Restrooms
No water
No Service
Parking
Smaller lot. Northwest Forest Pass required for day parking; the overnight permit includes a parking pass that must be displayed on the dashboard.
Nearest Services
Leavenworth, Washington.
Rules & Regulations
- •Maximum group size is eight people, including stock
- •Camp at or below Upper Snow Lake — camping in the Core Zone is not allowed on a Snow Zone permit
- •Dogs are prohibited throughout the Enchantment Permit Area
- •No campfires above 5,000 feet or within half a mile of any lake
- •The permit must be printed and signed; an unsigned permit on a cell phone is not valid
- •All group members must begin on the reserved start date and camp with the permit holder
- •One permit per person per season, including serving as an alternate group leader
Gear Checklist
Required
- A printed and signed permit — USFS is explicit that an unsigned permit on a phone is not valid
- Water filter for the lakes
- A stove: no campfires above 5,000 feet or within half a mile of any lake
- Rain gear and warm layers; May, June, September and October are shoulder seasons where winter conditions are normal
- Sturdy boots for primitive, steep, rocky trail
Recommended
- Trekking poles for a 4,100-foot descent with a pack
- A day pack for the Core Zone day hike
- Microspikes in May, June and October
Plan Your Trip
Lottery concierge
Your next shot at Snow Zone
Next season’s application dates aren’t published yet.
We check for them every day. Track Snow Zone now and your concierge picks them up the moment they land, then emails you when applications open, before the deadline, and when results post.
Better odds with a crew
Snow Zone is a lottery. Every friend who applies adds another entry, so a crew gets more shots at the same permit than any one of you alone.
One of you runs the pool (Pro or a $19 alert). Everyone else joins free.
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Snow Zone
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
Browse all guidesSome links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Key Landmarks
↑
4,100ft
Gain↓
4,100ft
Loss⛰️
5,433ft
High📏
6.5mi
Distance📐
11.9%
Avg GradeClick on a marker to view details•4 landmarks
Landmarks (4)
Lottery Statistics
Competitive
estimated success rate
Get detailed lottery statistics and tips. Sign up to track this permit.
Boost Your Chances
Apply with a crew to multiply your combined odds, and let auto win-detection tell you the moment you win — you never have to check Recreation.gov. Win-detection reads the result email you forward us, so it takes a one-time setup in your inbox (about two minutes, and we walk you through it). Pool and auto win-detection are on Pro or a $19 permit alert.
Snow Zone FAQ
How many permits per day does the Enchantments Snow Zone get?
Five groups per day, which is the largest allocation of any zone in the Enchantment Permit Area. For comparison USFS issues four groups a day to the Stuart Zone, three each to Colchuck and Eightmile/Caroline, and admits 24 people a day to the Core Zone. One permit from each zone is reserved for the daily lottery.
How long is the hike to Snow Lakes in the Enchantments?
USFS puts it at 6.5 miles from the Snow Lakes Trailhead with 4,100 feet of gain, climbing steadily the whole way. Beyond Snow Lakes the trail turns primitive and ascends another 1,400 feet over granite slabs to Lake Viviane, which is inside the Core Zone.
Can I camp in the Core Zone with a Snow Zone permit?
No. A Snow Zone permit requires you to camp at or below Upper Snow Lake. You are welcome to day hike throughout the Core Zone, and there are no established campsites between Upper Snow and Lake Viviane anyway.
When does the lottery open for the Enchantments Snow Zone permit?
The Enchantment Permit Area advance lottery runs annually in February, with a $6.00 non-refundable application fee. Zones are drawn separately, so applying for the Snow Zone does not cost you a chance at the others. If you draw, the recreation fee is $5.00 per person per day, May 15 through October 31.
Is the Snow Zone a good option in bad weather?
It is the best of the five. USFS describes the area as mostly forested and more forgiving to campers during bad weather than the other permit zones, while still holding views of the surrounding peaks. In a range where September can deliver winter, that is worth something.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
Sign in to report trail conditions.
Questions
No questions yet
Be the first to ask about Snow Zone.
Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Evening on the Snow Lakes, when the peaks above the basin catch the last light and the water goes still.
Best Light
Early October, when the larches turn and the low sun comes down the Snow Creek drainage.
Beat the Crowds
Five groups a night is still five groups in a whole basin. Day hikers rarely come this far up, so the zone is quiet almost by default.
Classic Shots
- 📍Upper Snow Lake with the Core Zone peaks above it
- 📍The granite slab section above Upper Snow Lake
- 📍Nada Lake through forest
- 📍The Snow Creek drainage from high on the climb
Can't Get a Snow Zone Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Enchantments Core Zone Permit
Same AreaThe high lake basin itself. 24 people per day, 16 from the advance lottery and 8 from the daily lottery.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
The hardest draw in Washington, and the only permit that lets you sleep among the Core lakes.
Colchuck Zone Permit
Same AreaThree groups a day at Colchuck Lake, under Dragontail Peak, with a much shorter approach — 4.2 miles and 2,100 feet.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Fewer groups per day than Snow, and a far busier lake during daylight hours.
Day hiking the Enchantments
Easier AlternativeDay use is permitted across all five zones on a free self-issued permit from any of the three trailheads.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
No lottery and no fee, but the full Snow Lakes to Stuart Lake traverse is an 18-mile day with 4,500 feet of climbing.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Snow Zone trip
A small favor
One tick helps us more than you’d think
Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our permit pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Add PermitSnag in Google
Takes less than a minute.