Yellowstone National Park Permits
Yes, you need a backcountry permit for every overnight stay in Yellowstone's backcountry, all year. It names a designated campsite and dates for your group.
Peak-season campsites go first to an early-access lottery in spring, then to a general on-sale on Recreation.gov, and the park leaves at least 25% of campsites for walk-up permits each day. A reservation is not the permit: from May 15 to October 31 you collect it in person at a backcountry office, up to two days before your trip. Canceled reservations return to Recreation.gov through the season, and PermitSnag alerts you when one opens.
Signature Experiences
The most sought-after permits in Yellowstone
Shoshone Lake
“Paddle up the Lewis River Channel (dragging the boat the last mile) to a lake with no road to it, no motors on it, and eighty geysers on its far shore.”
Yellowstone Backcountry
“1,114 miles of trail, 293 numbered campsites, and a permit that names exactly which one you sleep at on which night.”
All Permits
Select a permit to learn more and set up alerts
Shoshone Lake Backcountry permit
Largest backcountry lake.
Yellowstone Backcountry permit
Overnight backcountry camping permit for Yellowstone National Park. Cancellations return to Recreation.gov through the season, after an early-access lottery in spring and the general on-sale.
Bechler River Area permit
Waterfall country.
Other National Parks Areas
Explore more wilderness permits in the region
Grand Teton permits
4 permits
Rocky Mountain permits
5 permits
North Cascades permits
5 permits
Denali permits
4 permits
Lottery dates
Yellowstone Permit FAQ
Do I need a permit to camp overnight in Yellowstone National Park's backcountry?
Yes, all year, for every overnight stay. The permit names a designated campsite and dates for you and your group.
Where do I pick up a Yellowstone backcountry camping permit?
From May 15 to October 31, in person at a backcountry office, up to two days before your trip. A Recreation.gov reservation is not the permit itself. From November 1 to May 14, the park says to contact the Central Backcountry Office, which issues the permit up to five days before your trip.
Which Yellowstone permit do I need for Shoshone Lake or the Bechler River?
The same Yellowstone backcountry system covers them, with the same early-access lottery and fees as the park-wide permit. Each area has its own page here.