State Parks Backcountry Permits
Backpack, cart-in, canoe-in and boat-in sites in state park systems outside California and Utah. Small facilities — often one to six sites — that sell out on summer weekends and reopen only on a cancellation.
About State Parks Permits
Backpack, cart-in, canoe-in and boat-in sites in state park systems outside California and Utah. Small facilities — often one to six sites — that sell out on summer weekends and reopen only on a cancellation.
We watch 26 of these permits for cancellations, including Glendalough Yurts, Tettegouche Camp and Newport Wilderness, and alert you the moment a spot opens.
Best Time to Visit
Check individual permit pages for specific seasonal recommendations.
Top State Parks permits
The most sought-after permits in this category.
- Glendalough Remote Yurt Camp (Canoe-In) permit· Glendalough
- Newport Wilderness Campsites permit· Newport
- Rock Island Backpack Campsites permit· Rock Island
- Tettegouche Camp Remote Cabins permit· Tettegouche
- Afton Hike In Campsite permit· Afton
- Chippewa Flowage Boat-In Campsites permit· Chippewa Flowage
- Copper Falls Backpack Campsite permit· Copper Falls
- Glendalough Canoe-In Campsites permit· Glendalough
- Whitewater Gooseberry Glen Cart-In Campground permit· Whitewater
- Kettle Moraine North Backpack Sites permit· Kettle Moraine N
- Kettle Moraine South Backpack Sites permit· Kettle Moraine S
- Maplewood Boat-In Site permit· Maplewood
Signature Experiences
The most sought-after permits in State Parks
Glendalough Yurts
9/10“Two canvas yurts with woodstoves on a motor-free lake, bookable in midwinter.”
Newport Wilderness
9/10“Seventeen hike-in sites along eleven miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, in a park with no drive-up camping at all.”
Rock Island
9/10“A Lake Michigan island reached by two ferries, where nothing with wheels is allowed ashore.”
Parks & Wilderness Areas
Browse permits by location (21 locations)
Afton permits
Hike-in camping in the St. Croix River bluffs 30 minutes from the Twin Cities. Every site is walked ...
Frontenac permits
Cart-in and backpack camping above Lake Pepin on the Mississippi, on the Mississippi Flyway migratio...
Glendalough permits
Canoe-in camping and a canoe-in yurt camp on Annie Battle Lake, a motor-free heritage fishery in the...
Great River Bluffs permits
Cart-in camping on the goat-prairie bluffs 500 feet above the Mississippi near Winona....
Maplewood permits
Backpack camping in the hardwood hills and lakes of west-central Minnesota, best known for its fall ...
Mille Lacs Kathio permits
Backpack camping in the Rum River headwaters at Mille Lacs Lake, a National Historic Landmark Distri...
Nerstrand permits
Walk-in and cart-in camping in one of the last remnants of the Big Woods, an hour south of the Twin ...
Split Rock Creek permits
Cart-in camping on the Sioux quartzite prairie of far southwestern Minnesota, around the park lake....
St. Croix permits
Minnesota's largest state park, with two backpack sites a long walk in between the St. Croix and Ket...
Search State Parks Permits
Find specific permits or browse all 26 permits
Glendalough Yurts
ReservationGlendalough · State Parks
Newport Wilderness
ReservationNewport · State Parks
Rock Island
ReservationRock Island · State Parks
Tettegouche Camp
ReservationTettegouche · State Parks
Afton Hike In
ReservationAfton · State Parks
Chippewa Flowage
ReservationChippewa Flowage · State Parks
Copper Falls
ReservationCopper Falls · State Parks
Glendalough Canoe
ReservationGlendalough · State Parks
Gooseberry Glen
ReservationWhitewater · State Parks
Kettle Moraine N
ReservationKettle Moraine N · State Parks
Kettle Moraine S
ReservationKettle Moraine S · State Parks
Maplewood Boat-In
ReservationMaplewood · State Parks
Buckhorn South
ReservationBuckhorn · State Parks
Buckhorn West
ReservationBuckhorn · State Parks
Chippewa Moraine
ReservationChippewa Moraine · State Parks
Frontenac Backpack
ReservationFrontenac · State Parks
Frontenac Cart-In
ReservationFrontenac · State Parks
Governor Dodge
ReservationGovernor Dodge · State Parks
Great River Bluffs
ReservationGreat River Bluffs · State Parks
Maplewood Backpack
ReservationMaplewood · State Parks
Explore Other Regions
Planning a bigger trip? Check out permits in other areas.
State Parks Permit FAQ
How many backcountry permits does PermitSnag track in State Parks?
PermitSnag tracks over 26 backcountry permits across State 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 State Parks?
The most popular State Parks permits include Glendalough Yurts, Newport Wilderness, Rock Island. The most competitive of those sell out immediately when released.
How do I get notified about State Parks permit cancellations?
Sign up for PermitSnag to receive instant alerts when State Parks permits become available due to cancellations. Our system monitors availability 24/7 and notifies you immediately.