National Parks Backcountry Permits
America's crown jewels managed by the National Park Service. These iconic landscapes require permits to protect their pristine wilderness character.
About National Parks Permits
National Parks represent America's crown jewels of wilderness. Managed by the National Park Service, these protected areas see heavy visitation and require permits to preserve their character. From the Grand Canyon's depths to Glacier's pristine alpine lakes, NPS permits are among the most sought-after in the country. Most use Recreation.gov for reservations, though lottery systems vary by park.
Best Time to Visit
Peak season runs June through September for most parks. Shoulder seasons (May, October) offer fewer crowds but variable weather. Winter access is limited in many parks but can provide unique experiences.
Top National Parks permits
The most sought-after permits in this category.
- Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim permit· Grand Canyon
- Havasupai Campground permit· Havasupai
- Bright Angel Campground permit· Grand Canyon
- Havasupai Lodge Reservation permit· Havasupai
- Wonderland Trail permit· Mt. Rainier
- Rocky Mountain Timed Entry Reservation permit· Rocky Mountain
- Olympic National Park Wilderness permit· Olympic
- Enchanted Valley permit· Olympic
- Teton Crest Trail permit· Grand Teton
- Mount LeConte Shelter permit· Great Smoky
- Grand Canyon backcountry permit· Grand Canyon
- Havasupai Gardens Campground permit· Grand Canyon
Signature Experiences
The most sought-after permits in National Parks
Rim-to-Rim
10/10“One permit, two rims: 23.5 miles that drop 5,761 feet to the Colorado River and then climb 4,380 feet back out the far side.”
Havasupai Falls
10/10“Ten miles down a side canyon of the Grand Canyon to a campground strung between two waterfalls, on land that belongs to the Havasupai Tribe and is booked through nobody but them.”
Bright Angel
9/10“The park's own words: Bright Angel Campground is by far the most requested below-rim backpacking destination in Grand Canyon National Park.”
Parks & Wilderness Areas
Browse permits by location (23 locations)
Grand Canyon permits
One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World....
Havasupai permits
Home of the world-famous blue-green waterfalls of Havasu Creek. Permits are issued by the Havasupai ...
Glacier National Park permits
Crown of the Continent with pristine alpine lakes and dramatic peaks....
Mt. Rainier permits
Iconic Pacific Northwest volcano with the famous Wonderland Trail....
Olympic permits
Diverse wilderness from rainforest to alpine peaks to wild coastline....
Yellowstone permits
America's first national park with incredible geothermal features and wildlife....
Grand Teton permits
Dramatic peaks rising from the valley floor with world-class climbing and hiking....
Rocky Mountain permits
Colorado's crown jewel with alpine tundra and stunning peaks....
Thru-Hikes & Long Trails
Epic multi-day traverses in National Parks (7 trails)
Rim-to-Rim
Grand Canyon
The ultimate Grand Canyon experience: 21-24 miles crossing from one rim to the other through two bil...
2-3 days
Highline Trail
Glacier
Walk the knife-edge of the Continental Divide along Glacier's famous Garden Wall, where mountain goa...
1 day or overnight
Olympic Coast
Olympic
73-mile wilderness beach traverse along Washington's wildest coastline, from Shi Shi Beach to the Ho...
5-6 days, per the NPS allowances of 2 days for Shi Shi to Ozette and 3-4 for Ozette to Rialto
Teton Crest
Grand Teton
Premier multi-day traverse of the Teton Range with world-class alpine scenery....
4 nights on the NPS Granite Canyon to String Lake variant
Copper Ridge
North Cascades
Stunning alpine traverse....
3-4 days
Outer Mountain
Big Bend
Remote 30-mile desert loop....
AT Thru-hike
Great Smoky
For through-hikers crossing the park....
Also in National Parks
These parks in other regions also belong to National Parks
Longs Peak
Colorado's most iconic 14er and the only one in Rocky Mountain National Park....
Yosemite
Home to towering granite cliffs, giant sequoias, and some of America's most icon...
SEKI
Home to the world's largest trees and the deepest canyon in North America....
Point Reyes
Coastal wilderness with backcountry camping on dramatic Pacific bluffs....
Channel Islands
Remote island wilderness off the Southern California coast....
Redwoods
Backcountry camping among the world's tallest trees....
Zion
Towering red cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and desert wilderness define this Utah...
Canyonlands
Utah's largest national park with dramatic desert landscape carved by the Colora...
Capitol Reef
The Waterpocket Fold and hidden slot canyons make this an underrated gem....
Bryce Canyon
Famous for its unique hoodoos and the Under-the-Rim Trail....
Arches
Over 2,000 natural stone arches in a stunning desert landscape....
Search National Parks Permits
Find specific permits or browse all 60 permits
Rim-to-Rim
LotteryPopularGrand Canyon · National Parks
Havasupai Falls
ReservationPopularHavasupai · National Parks
Bright Angel
LotteryGrand Canyon · National Parks
Havasupai Lodge
ReservationHavasupai · National Parks
Wonderland
LotteryPopularMt. Rainier · National Parks
RMNP Timed Entry
First-Come, First-ServedPopularRocky Mountain · National Parks
GC Backcountry
LotteryPopularGrand Canyon · National Parks
Havasupai Gardens
LotteryGrand Canyon · National Parks
Glacier Wilderness
ReservationPopularGlacier · National Parks
Highline Trail
ReservationPopularGlacier · National Parks
Many Glacier
ReservationGlacier · National Parks
Rainier Wilderness
LotteryMt. Rainier · National Parks
Olympic Wilderness
ReservationPopularOlympic · National Parks
Olympic Coast
ReservationPopularOlympic · National Parks
Enchanted Valley
ReservationOlympic · National Parks
GTNP Backcountry
ReservationPopularGrand Teton · National Parks
Teton Crest
ReservationPopularGrand Teton · National Parks
Cottonwood
LotteryGrand Canyon · National Parks
Seven Lakes
ReservationOlympic · National Parks
Ozette Coast
ReservationOlympic · National Parks
Explore Other Regions
Planning a bigger trip? Check out permits in other areas.
National Parks Permit FAQ
How many backcountry permits does PermitSnag track in National Parks?
PermitSnag tracks over 60 backcountry permits across National Parks, 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 Parks?
The most competitive National Parks permits include Rim-to-Rim, Havasupai Falls, Bright Angel. These permits often sell out immediately when released.
How do I get notified about National Parks permit cancellations?
Sign up for PermitSnag to receive instant alerts when National Parks permits become available due to cancellations. Our system monitors availability 24/7 and notifies you immediately.