National Parks Backcountry & Wilderness Permits
PermitSnag lists 60 permits in this category, across 23 parks and areas. The most wanted are Wonderland, Havasupai Falls and Rim-to-Rim. 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.
We check 54 of these permits for cancellations, including Rim-to-Rim, Havasupai Falls and Bright Angel, and alert you the moment a spot opens.
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.
- Wonderland Trail permit· Mt. Rainier
- Havasupai Campground permit· Havasupai
- Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim permit· Grand Canyon
- Bright Angel Campground permit· Grand Canyon
- Havasupai Lodge Reservation permit· Havasupai
- Rocky Mountain Timed Entry Reservation permit· Rocky Mountain
- Teton Crest Trail permit· Grand Teton
- Enchanted Valley permit· Olympic
- Mount LeConte Shelter permit· Great Smoky
- Olympic National Park Wilderness permit· Olympic
- Glacier National Park Wilderness permit· Glacier
- Grand Teton Backcountry permit· Grand Teton
Signature Experiences
The most sought-after permits in National Parks
Wonderland
9/10“A 93-mile loop all the way around Mount Rainier, with 27,000 feet of climbing and 27,000 feet of descent, booked one named camp at a time.”
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.”
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.”
Parks & Wilderness Areas
Browse permits by location (23 locations)
Grand Canyon permits
One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World....
Havasupai campground or lodge
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 to 23.5 miles crossing from one rim to the other through tw...
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
Wilderness beach traverse along Washington's wildest coastline, from Shi Shi Beach to Rialto Beach, ...
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....
3-4 nights
Copper Ridge
North Cascades
Stunning alpine traverse....
3-4 days
Outer Mountain
Big Bend
A 30-mile desert loop combining five trails through the Chisos Mountains and out into the desert bas...
2 nights / 3 days minimum
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
Wonderland
LotteryPopularMt. Rainier · National Parks
Havasupai Falls
ReservationPopularHavasupai · National Parks
Rim-to-Rim
LotteryPopularGrand Canyon · National Parks
Bright Angel
LotteryGrand Canyon · National Parks
Havasupai Lodge
ReservationHavasupai · National Parks
Glacier Wilderness
ReservationPopularGlacier · National Parks
GTNP Backcountry
ReservationPopularGrand Teton · National Parks
Havasupai Gardens
LotteryGrand Canyon · National Parks
RMNP Timed Entry
First-Come, First-ServedPopularRocky Mountain · National Parks
Grand Canyon Backcountry
LotteryPopularGrand Canyon · National Parks
Highline Trail
ReservationPopularGlacier · National Parks
Many Glacier
ReservationGlacier · National Parks
Olympic Coast
ReservationPopularOlympic · National Parks
Rainier Wilderness
LotteryMt. Rainier · National Parks
Teton Crest
ReservationPopularGrand Teton · National Parks
Black Canyon South Rim
ReservationBlack Canyon · National Parks
Enchanted Valley
ReservationOlympic · National Parks
Mt LeConte Shelter
ReservationGreat Smoky · National Parks
Old Rag
ReservationShenandoah · National Parks
Olympic Wilderness
ReservationPopularOlympic · 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 60 backcountry permits in National Parks, across 23 parks and areas.
What are the most popular permits in National Parks?
The most popular National Parks permits include Wonderland, Havasupai Falls, Rim-to-Rim. The most competitive of those sell out immediately when released.
How do I get notified about National Parks permit cancellations?
Open the permit's page and set an alert. We check 54 permits in this category for cancellations, and we text or email you when one opens. Pro alerts check every minute and free alerts check every hour.Open the permit's page and set an alert. We check 54 permits in this category for cancellations, and we text or email you when one opens. Pro alerts check every minute.