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Glacier Backcountry Permit wilderness permit area in Glacier National Park - backcountry hiking destination
ReservationOvernightHigh Demand

Glacier Backcountry Permit

Glacier National Park

Advance reservation for backcountry camping in the Crown of the Continent.

“Explore the Crown of the Continent—where glacially carved peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife create America's most dramatic mountain wilderness.”

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Be notified instantly when Glacier Backcountry permits become available.

Read our complete Glacier Backcountry guide

Lottery tips, strategies, and everything you need to know

Demand
High
7/10
Method
Reservation
Booking Method
First-Come, First-Served

Glacier Backcountry Quick Facts

Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh7/10

Key Information

Permit Details

TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level7/10
LocationNPS

What to Expect

Route Details

Distance
60 miles
Elevation Gain
10,000 ft
Route Type
Varies
Duration
3-7 days depending on route
Difficulty
Strenuous
Elevation Range
4,800 - 8,100 ft

Highlights

  • •High-altitude hiking with significant elevation change
  • •Active grizzly bear habitat requiring constant awareness
  • •Dramatic weather changes
  • •Designated campgrounds with food-hanging cables

Best Time to Visit

Mid-July through mid-September offers the most reliable conditions.

Hazards & Considerations

  • !Grizzly bears—travel in groups, make noise
  • !Rapidly changing weather
  • !Stream crossings dangerous during snowmelt
  • !Snow on passes into late July

How to Get This Permit

1

Create a Recreation.gov account

Sign up at recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.

2

Know the release schedule

Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.

3

Be ready when permits drop

Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.

4

Monitor for cancellations

If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Apply at Recreation.gov
Learn More
Best booking timesCancellation huntingRecreation.gov tips

When to Go

Peak: Summer monthsShoulder: Spring and Fall

Conditions

Summer offers the most reliable conditions for most wilderness areas.

Crowd Level

Moderate

Advantages

  • +Longest days
  • +Warmest temperatures
  • +Reliable trail conditions

Challenges

  • !Peak demand for permits
  • !Book accommodations early
  • !Weather varies

Difficulty Assessment

Physical Demand4/5

Fitness and endurance required

Technical Skill3/5

Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills

Exposure Risk4/5

Steep dropoffs and fall potential

Navigation2/5

Route finding and trail clarity

Commitment4/5

Difficulty of bailing out mid-route

Best For

Experienced backpackers comfortable in grizzly country and variable mountain weather.

Recommended Experience

Should have multi-day backpacking experience in mountainous terrain. Bear country experience highly recommended.

Not Recommended For

Those uncomfortable around bears, hikers who can't handle high-altitude terrain.

About This Permit

Glacier National Park's backcountry permit provides access to over 700 miles of trails through one of North America's most spectacular mountain wilderness areas.

The Experience

Why It Matters

Glacier National Park preserves one of the most intact ecosystems in the temperate world, home to grizzly bears, wolves, mountain goats, and dozens of other species.

The Route

Glacier offers countless multi-day possibilities. The Highline/Granite Park traverse hugs the Continental Divide with constant exposure and mountain goat encounters. The Two Medicine Dawson-Pitamakan Loop circles through dramatic passes with fewer crowds.

The Feeling

Standing on a windswept pass, you're surrounded by peaks that look freshly hewn from rock. Glaciers that shaped this landscape are visible on distant cirques, their retreat a reminder of change.

Rules & Regulations

  • •Backcountry permit required for all overnight stays
  • •70% via advance lottery (March application)
  • •30% walk-in permits available
  • •Bear spray strongly recommended
  • •Campfires prohibited in all backcountry

Gear Checklist

Required

  • Bear spray
  • Rope for food hangs
  • Rain gear and warm layers
  • Water filter
  • Navigation tools

Plan Your Trip

🎒

Gear Checklist

Required and recommended gear for Glacier Backcountry

🚐

Shuttle Services

Trailhead transportation options

Browse all shuttles
🧭

Guide Services

Experienced wilderness guides

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Key Landmarks

↑
10,000ft
Gain
↓
10,000ft
Loss
⛰️
8,100ft
High
📏
11.0mi
Distance
📐
10.2%
Avg Grade
Click on a marker to view details•5 landmarks

Landmarks (5)

Safety & Planning

🚨

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Glacier Backcountry. Sign up to track this permit.

🐻

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit. Sign up to track this permit.

12,453 permits and 8,294 campsites secured by PermitSnag users

Glacier Backcountry FAQ

How do I get a Glacier Backcountry permit?

Glacier Backcountry permits are obtained through a reservation system. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.

When is the best time to visit Glacier Backcountry?

Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.

How competitive is the Glacier Backcountry permit?

This permit has a demand score of 7/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.

What if I can't get a Glacier Backcountry permit?

Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. We check availability every 2-3 minutes, 24/7.

👥Community

Trail Conditions

Questions

Trip Reports

Write Report

Photography Guide

Golden Hour

Sunrise from any camp east of the Continental Divide illuminates the peaks dramatically.

Best Light

Morning light creates the best conditions for photographing the distinctive red argillite rock.

Beat the Crowds

Two Medicine and Cut Bank areas see far fewer visitors than Logan Pass corridor.

Classic Shots

  • 📍Grinnell Glacier from Grinnell Overlook
  • 📍Mountain goats on Highline Trail
  • 📍Hidden Lake from Logan Pass
  • 📍Bearhat Mountain reflection

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