Reservation8/10
Olympic National Park backcountry permit
The single overnight permit for backpacking anywhere in Olympic National Park's ...
Enchanted Valley Permit
Olympic National Park · Washington
Booked one camp per night, in order
Famous valley with historic chalet.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Enchanted Valley were gone within 10 minutes.
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Enchanted Valley Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh8/10
SeasonMay 15 - October 15
Cost$6 non-refundable reservation fee per permit, plus $8 per person per night for adults 16 and over. Under 16 camp free.
Daily Quota208 people
Max Group Size12 people
Enchanted Valley Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Enchanted Valley in Olympic National Park, Washington requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Enchanted Valley is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Enchanted Valley runs May 15 through October 15.
- The Enchanted Valley route covers 13 miles with 1,700 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate.
- Cancelled Enchanted Valley permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Key Dates
Lottery OpensNot a lottery - summer reservations are released April 15 at 7:00 am Pacific
SeasonMay 15 - October 15
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level8/10
LocationOlympic Peninsula, WA
Pro Tips
- •Set an alarm for April 15 at 7:00 am Pacific. Olympic releases the entire summer season at once and holds nothing for walk-ups, so this is not a permit you can pick up later at a ranger station.
- •Book O'Neil Creek or Pyrites Creek as well as the valley. Thirteen miles in one push with a loaded pack is a long day, and the intermediate camps are far easier to get.
- •Borrow the bear canister at the Wilderness Information Center rather than buying one. It is free with your permit.
- •Route the drive via North Shore Road, not South Shore - the south road has a washout closure and Graves Creek Road bars RVs and trailers either way.
- •Check the park's wilderness trail conditions page the week you leave. The washout before the chalet and the White Creek ford both change with the weather.
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
13 miles
Elevation Gain
1,700 ft
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
3-4 days
Difficulty
ModerateElevation Range
624 - 2,030 ft
Highlights
- •13 miles one way by the park's trail page, 14 by Recreation.gov; about 1,700 feet of elevation change
- •Camps at Pony Bridge (2.5 miles), O'Neil Creek (7) and Pyrites Creek (10) before the valley
- •A washed-out section about a third of a mile before the chalet - ford the river or route-find up a steep hillside
- •A quota of 208 users or 30 permits per night, whichever is hit first
- •Bears grazing the meadow in the open; the park's instruction is to stay 50 yards back
- •Bear canisters required, and loaned free at Wilderness Information Centers
- •Graves Creek Road is reachable only via North Shore Road, and bars RVs and trailers
Best Time to Visit
The park gives a best season of May through September, and the reservation season runs May 15 to October 15. Late June through August has the highest water in the falls with the most reliable fords; September is quiet and clear but the waterfalls thin out. Whenever you go, check the park's wilderness trail conditions page for the washout before the chalet.
Hazards & Considerations
- !The washout about a third of a mile before the chalet - the park says be prepared to ford the river or route-find up a steep hillside
- !White Creek below the O'Neil Pass junction must be forded and can be swift or deep in heavy rain or snowmelt
- !A large bear population in the valley, at close range and in the open
- !Rain and river rise; the East Fork Quinault comes up fast
- !The Quinault South Shore Road washout adds a detour and rules out RVs and trailers
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
🌧️
52°
41°
46%
Mon
☁️
50°
38°
Tue
🌧️
51°
39°
Wed
☀️
65°
40°
Thu
☀️
71°
46°
Fri
☀️
67°
45°
Sat
☁️
68°
46°
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 National Park Service account
Sign up at National Park Service 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.
Learn More
When to Go
Peak: Late June through AugustShoulder: May and September
Conditions
High water and the most waterfalls of the year. Fords are at their most serious and the reservation season does not open until May 15.
Crowd Level
LowAdvantages
- +The valley walls run with water at their fullest
- +Very few other parties
- +Bears are active and visible in the meadow
Challenges
- !The most dangerous fords of the year at White Creek and the washout
- !Persistent rain
- !No permits before May 15
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand3/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill2/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk3/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation2/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Backpackers comfortable with river fords and mud. The mileage is long but the grade is gentle - 1,700 feet spread over 13 miles.
Recommended Experience
Prior multi-day backpacking, and specifically prior experience crossing moving water. The exposure rating here is about the washout traverse and the fords, not about heights.
Not Recommended For
Anyone who has not forded a river before, and anyone travelling after heavy rain. The washout before the chalet and the White Creek crossing are both judgement calls with real consequences.
About This Permit
Enchanted Valley is 13 miles up the East Fork Quinault River from the Graves Creek Trailhead, with about 1,700 feet of elevation change across the whole trip - the park rates it moderate and gives a May-through-September season. Recreation.gov's own site listing says 14 miles rather than 13; both numbers are official.
It is also the only quota in Olympic National Park with a published number. Since 2024 the park has managed the East Fork Quinault River Trail and Enchanted Valley as a quota area on a trial basis lasting up to three years, capped at a maximum of 208 users or 30 permits per night, whichever is reached first. Note the two units: it binds on people first if parties are large, on permits first if they are small.
Permits come through Recreation.gov. Summer-season reservations - May 15 through October 15 - are released on April 15 at 7:00 am Pacific, and the park holds nothing back: in its own words, camp area availability is updated real time on Recreation.gov, and no sites are held as same-day walk-ups. Paper self-registration at trailheads is gone. The reservation fee is $6 per permit and the camping fee is $8 per person per night for anyone 16 and over.
Bear canisters are required. Enchanted Valley is one of the areas the park names explicitly, and it is the right call - the park's own trail page says the valley has a large population of bears and to stay a minimum of 50 yards away. Canisters can be borrowed free at Wilderness Information Centers with your permit.
The Experience
Why It Matters
This is the one place in Olympic National Park the agency has actually had to meter. Beginning in 2024 the park put the East Fork Quinault River Trail and Enchanted Valley under a quota on a trial basis - a maximum of 208 users or 30 permits per night, whichever is reached first - and it is still the only numeric quota Olympic publishes anywhere. Everywhere else the limit is just how many sites Recreation.gov shows.
The Route
From Graves Creek the trail follows the East Fork Quinault through rainforest, reaching Pony Bridge at about 2.5 miles where the river runs through a narrow gorge. O'Neil Creek camp is around 7 miles, Pyrites Creek around 10, and the valley itself at 13 by the park's own trail page - Recreation.gov's site listing says 14. Elevation change over the whole thing is only about 1,700 feet, which is what makes it a walk rather than a climb.
The last third of a mile is the problem right now. The park reported on 2026-07-27 that a section of trail a third of a mile before the chalet and campsites has washed out, and that hikers should be ready either to ford the river or to route-find up a steep hillside. Further up, past the O'Neil Pass junction, White Creek has to be forded and can run swift and deep in heavy rain or snowmelt.
The Feeling
The valley opens after two days of walking through moss and big trees, and the walls on the far side run with water the entire length of the meadow - hundreds of ribbon falls off the flank of Chimney Peak, more in early summer than late. The chalet sits at the head of it, a log building the Park Service has physically moved back from the river as the bank eroded. Bears graze the meadow in the open, which is a thing you do not see often anywhere.
Trailhead Information
Graves Creek Ranger Station
Start of the East Fork Quinault River Trail, and mile zero for every Recreation.gov camp name on this permit.
Restrooms
No water
Getting There
Reach Graves Creek Road via North Shore Road. RVs and trailers are prohibited on Graves Creek Road. Check the NPS Olympic conditions page before you drive: South Shore Road has been washed out and access from that side comes and goes.
Nearest Services
Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station, 913 North Shore Road, Amanda Park, WA 98526. It is seasonal, open Memorial Day weekend through the end of September, Thursday through Monday. NPS says bear canisters are loaned there, and the canister return bin is available year round.
Rules & Regulations
- •A wilderness permit is required for every overnight trip and must be reserved on Recreation.gov
- •Group size is limited to 12 people and 8 stock; affiliated groups may not combine and must camp and travel at least 1 mile apart
- •Parties of 7 to 12 must use designated group sites; the park names the Sol Duc/Seven Lakes Basin, Hoh Lake Trail, Hoh River Trail, Grand Valley, Upper Lena Lake and Lake Constance areas specifically
- •Bear canisters are required; hanging food, garbage or scented items in bags is prohibited in this area
- •Stay at least 50 yards from the bears in the valley
- •Permits are issued around 3 days before your trip start date
- •No sites are held as same-day walk-ups, and there is no paper self-registration at trailheads
Gear Checklist
Required
- An approved bear canister - required here, and free to borrow at a Wilderness Information Center
- Shoes or sandals you can ford in, for the washout and for White Creek
- Rain gear that actually works; this is a temperate rainforest at any time of year
- Water treatment
Recommended
- Trekking poles for the fords
- Gaiters, because the trail holds mud well into summer
- A dry bag for everything you need dry
- Insect repellent for the meadow in early summer
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Enchanted Valley
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Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
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Experienced wilderness guides
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Key Landmarks
↑
1,700ft
Gain↓
1,700ft
Loss⛰️
2,030ft
High📏
13.0mi
Distance📐
2.5%
Avg GradeClick on a marker to view details•6 landmarks
Landmarks (6)
Enchanted Valley FAQ
Do I need a permit to backpack to Enchanted Valley?
Yes. Every overnight trip in Olympic National Park wilderness needs a permit reserved on Recreation.gov. It costs $6 per permit plus $8 per person per night for anyone 16 or older, and the park holds no same-day walk-up sites.
How many people are allowed in Enchanted Valley per night?
The park caps the East Fork Quinault River Trail and Enchanted Valley at a maximum of 208 users or 30 permits per night, whichever is reached first. This started in 2024 as a trial that will last up to three years, so it may change or become permanent.
How far is the hike to Enchanted Valley?
13 miles one way from Graves Creek by the park's own trail page, with about 1,700 feet of elevation change. Recreation.gov's site listing says 14 miles. The park rates the trail moderate.
Do I need a bear canister for the Enchanted Valley permit?
Yes. Enchanted Valley is one of the areas Olympic names specifically, and hanging food, garbage or scented items in bags is prohibited there. Canisters can be borrowed free at Wilderness Information Centers when you pick up your permit. The park also says the valley has a large population of bears and to stay a minimum of 50 yards away.
Is the trail to Enchanted Valley washed out?
Part of it. As of the park's 2026-07-27 wilderness trail conditions update, a section about a third of a mile before the chalet and campsites has washed out, and hikers should be prepared either to ford the river or to route-find up a steep hillside. Separately, White Creek below the O'Neil Pass junction has to be forded and can run swift or deep after rain or snowmelt.
How do I drive to the Graves Creek Trailhead for Enchanted Valley?
Via the Quinault North Shore Road. The South Shore Road has been under a partial closure since 2025-11-13 for a washout in Jefferson County about 8 miles from US 101. Graves Creek Road itself was listed open as of 2026-05-28, but it prohibits RVs and trailers.
When do reservations open for an Enchanted Valley permit?
April 15 at 7:00 am Pacific, for the whole summer season from May 15 through October 15. There is no lottery. Because nothing is held back for walk-ups, that release is effectively the whole supply.
👥Community
Trail Conditions(7)
Photography Guide
Golden Hour
Late afternoon light coming over the ridge onto the chalet with the waterfall wall behind it.
Best Light
Overcast is the rainforest's best light - the moss and the falls both photograph better without hard sun. Save direct light for the meadow.
Beat the Crowds
Pony Bridge is the day-hike turnaround, so everything past mile 3 thins out fast. The valley itself is emptiest before 9 am, when most parties are still walking up.
Classic Shots
- 📍The chalet with the waterfall wall of Chimney Peak behind it
- 📍Pony Bridge over the East Fork Quinault gorge
- 📍Bears grazing the meadow, shot long from 50 yards back
- 📍Moss and bigleaf maple along the lower river trail
- 📍The valley floor in early morning fog
Can't Get a Enchanted Valley Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Hoh River Trail
Similar ExperienceThe park's other big rainforest river walk, 17.4 miles up to Glacier Meadows below the Blue Glacier.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Longer, and its quota covers only the upper camps, so the lower river is easier to book. The upper end has its own hazards, including a rope ladder in an avalanche chute the park reported with broken rungs.
Seven Lakes Basin and High Divide
Same AreaThe 18.2-mile alpine loop out of Sol Duc, with lakes, meadows and a ridge walk facing Mount Olympus.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
High country rather than rainforest, and 3,050 feet of climbing. Its season is shorter - snow on High Divide often lasts into mid-July.
Olympic Wilderness Permit
Same AreaThe park-wide overnight wilderness permit covering every non-quota area in Olympic.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Far more choice and much less competition, but the quota areas - which is where most of the famous scenery is - still have to be booked as quota areas.
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Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Enchanted Valley trip
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