With fall and winter on the horizon, it’s easy to forget about our favorite sun-drenched backcountry trails and campgrounds. But spring will be here sooner than you think—and by then, the spots for permit-only adventures may be snapped up.
Many of the country’s most popular hikes, trails, and recreation areas now require a reservation, or maintain a daily quota to reduce crowds and protect delicate ecosystems. Some book up just hours after their reservations open. That means if you daydream of summiting Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, or sleeping in the Grand Canyon, or checking the Teton Crest Trail off your bucket list, you will want to plan ahead.
So, open your calendars, grab a pen, and read on for how to reserve your bucket-list adventure in 2026.
Angels Landing, Zion National Park
What to Know: Angels Landing is a short 4.3-mile hike that ascends 1,800 vertical feet to the top of an ochre-and-rust sandstone pillar. Atop, you’ll see a panoramic view of Zion National Park, the Virgin River, and much of Southern Utah. The National Park Service instituted a permit requirement for this hike in 2022 to ease heavy traffic on the narrow trail, and a reservation is now required throughout the year to ascend past Scout Lookout. Be sure to wear light clothing and carry plenty water due to the desert heat.
Important Dates: A quarterly lottery opens one to three months before your hiking date. A day-before lottery is also available. To get a spot in the summer lottery (June through August), you must submit your entry between 8 A.M. on April 1 and 11:59 P.M. MST on April 20. You’ll be notified on April 25 whether or not you got a spot. A smaller lottery opens from 12:01 A.M. MST-3 P.M. MST the day before your hiking date. Expect a $6 application fee.
Reservation Details: Holidays and sought-after weekends are extra competitive, and we suggest applying for a spot on a weekday. The online system asks you to rank up to seven dates, choose a start time (before or after 9 A.M.), and identify group size (up to six) when you reserve. If you don’t get a permit, you can still hike the West Rim Trail to Scout Point—no reservation is needed and it’s nearly as spectacular.
Half Dome, Yosemite National Park
What to Know: Prepare to cover roughly 16 miles round-trip with 4,800 feet of elevation gain as you pass beloved landmarks such as Vernal and Nevada Falls and Liberty Cap. After a thigh-burning, gravity-defying cable climb up a steep granite slab, you’ll gawk at the 360-degree view of Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra from the summit. Competition is stiff for this one— Yosemite instituted a quota in 2010, and only 225 day-use and 75 backpacker passes are issued daily. Sturdy boots and gloves are a must for safety on the cable section, and be sure to keep your photo ID and printed permit handy. You’ll show both at the sub-dome.
Important Dates: The Half Dome cables are usually installed around Memorial Day and remain through mid-October. The day-hiker preseason lottery opens March 1 and runs until March 31 on Recreation.gov. Hikers will be notified in mid-April. There’s also a last-minute lottery—apply for this one online two days before your hike-out date between midnight to 4 P.M. PST and expect to hear back the same day. The application fee is $10.
The weekly backpacker lottery runs Sunday-Saturday from mid-November to early May (24 weeks to seven days before your hike-out date). You can also grab a last-minute backcountry slot online from seven to three days before your start date right at 7 A.M. PST. This permit runs $10 per application.
Reservation Details: You get to apply for up to seven dates, so shake it up—weekdays beginning end-August have a higher success rate. Remember if you’re an alternate, you can’t also be the primary permit-holder on another application (or the park will revoke both). For backpackers, only a few wilderness treks can include Half Dome. Be sure to add the Half Dome spur when you pick up your in-person permit. You can also request to add Half Dome to a southbound John Muir Trail itinerary upon permit pickup.
John Muir Trail, California
What to Know: The 211-mile John Muir Trail (JMT) is a crown jewel thru-hike that passes gems of the High Sierra such as Yosemite National Park, Ansel Adams Wilderness, King’s Canyon National Park, and Sequoia National Park— and includes bagging 14,055-foot Mount Whitney. This hike usually takes two to three weeks to complete, and it takes in nearly 46,000 feet of elevation gain. Only a third of hopefuls nab a permit through the rolling lottery for peak summer season.
Most people begin the JMT from Yosemite in the north or Whitney Portal in the south, but you can also section-hike from Inyo National Forest. Yosemite is the most popular start and in 2015, the park instituted a 45-person daily JMT exit quota to reduce trail over-use. Have a reliable GPS and lock down your resupply strategy for this one—it can take a few weeks for the goods to land at restock points. JMT permits aren’t transferable.
Important Dates:
Southbound (Yosemite to Mt. Whitney):
Check out the weekly lottery from Yosemite National Park on Recreation.gov 24 weeks (5.5 months) before your hike-out date (for example, for a July start, apply in January). You’ll be notified within two business days if successful and have three days to accept. Unclaimed passes become available at 9 A.M. PST on a first-come, first-served basis the fourth day. The rolling weekly lottery ends in early May and is $10 per application.
Northbound (Mt. Whitney to Yosemite):
The Mount Whitney JMT lottery runs February 1 through March 1. Results are released March 15, and you’ll have until April 21 to accept. Unclaimed slots become available at 7 A.M. PST on April 22 and go immediately, so log on early. Each reservation is $15.
Reservation Details: Smaller groups are more likely to snag a JMT permit. An early or late season start is also a boon— 50 percent of people who apply for mid-September snag one. While the most requested JMT start is Happy Isles to Past LYV, you might be luckier from Lyell Canyon. Just be sure to select “Donahue Pass eligible” for both.
Mount Whitney releases 100 day-use and 60 overnight passes daily, and a permit is required 24/7 between May 1 and November 1. Select “Mount Whitney Overnight Zone” on your application to apply for multiple starts.
For an Inyo National Forest permit, apply at 7 A.M. PST 24 weeks before your hike-out date. An additional 40 percent of slots open two weeks before at 7 A.M. PST sharp and run out in a flash. Select “Overnight Exiting Mount Whitney” on your application to tack on a summit attempt.
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park
What to Know: This iconic 50-mile, two-lane highway meanders past vibrant peaks, frothy waterfalls, and lush, wildflower-dotted alpine meadows, and usually opens fully by early July. In 2026, a vehicle reservation will be required eastbound from Apgar between 7 A.M. and 3 P.M. MST, June 13 to September 28. Under this system, you can enter in two-hour time blocks and stay in the park for the rest of the day. A reservation is no longer required westbound from St. Mary—a great Plan B.
Important Dates: The advance vehicle reservation becomes available 120 days prior to your visit date at 8 A.M. MST. This means for an August 10 visit, you should apply on April 10. For multi-day trips, plan to repeat this process for each day you plan to visit.
For those who don’t nab an advance spot, a limited number of passes free up at 7 P.M. MST the night before. A backcountry campground lottery for up to eight people runs on March 15 from midnight and 11:59 P.M. MST. Unreserved slots are available May 1 – September 30 online on a first-come, first-served basis. This one has a $2 processing fee.
Reservation Details: Log in to Recreation.gov ahead of time and have a flexible backup plan—this one goes in no time. Popular routes from Logan Pass like Hidden Lake Overlook, the Highline Trail, and Avalanche Lake melt out by mid-July, so summer permit competition is fierce. Grab a weekday in mid-September instead, when the road is still passable but quieter. Any reservation to camp or backpack within Going-to-the-Sun Road (i.e. west of Logan Pass, like Avalanche Creek and Sprague Creek) comes with a vehicle permit. You’re also allowed to enter from Apgar without a permit before 7 A.M.—gorgeous morning light, fewer people, and open parking make the early wake-up worth it.
Teton Crest Trail, Grand Teton National Park
What to Know: The Teton Crest Trail (TCT) is a 40-mile point-to-point journey over 9,000 feet of elevation gain. Swaying lupine, paintbrush, and eastern coneflower fade into glacier-carved canyons and up jagged granite peaks where moose, elk, bighorn sheep, and grizzlies roam (bear spray is essential). This high-altitude trek peaks between mid-late July and Labor Day, when the high passes are snow-free. Micro-spikes are an ally during the shoulder season due to unpredictable snowfall.
Important Dates: You need the backcountry permit for Grand Teton National Park, and the reservation system opens at 8 A.M. MST on January 7 for starts between May 1 and October 31. Walk-ups are available on a first-come, first- served basis one day before your hike-out date in-person only between May 1 and October 31. There’s a $20 flat permit fee for this one.
Reservation Details: Grand Teton National Park releases one-third of all backcountry zones in advance online and holds the rest for walk-ups. Act fast to scoop up your ideal itinerary— camp zones on the TCT are generally snapped up within the hour. One backcountry permit will allow you to camp for up to ten consecutive nights and is valid for up to six-person groups.
When you apply, select “Mountain Camping Zone” to see available backcountry campgrounds. The 11 zones on the TCT vanish fast, so map your route in advance and have a solid backup plan. Each camp zone is a few miles long and once in it, you can pitch camp anywhere used before.
The Enchantments Traverse, Washington
What to Know: To experience the otherworldly, tucked-away Core Enchantments Zone— a glacier-carved necklace of placid, ice-blue lakes strung together by a winding creek—expect to climb 4,845 feet over 18.5 miles. This includes the grueling Asgard Pass, which ascends 2,000 vertical feet in less than a mile (look out for mountain goats and have an offline map handy). A permit is required May 15th to October 31 and only 24 people are allowed to camp in the Core Zone each day. Beware early-season snow in May and June and pack a head net for mosquito-heavy July. September-early October is a popular time to hike, when the abundant larches turn yellow and set the mirrored lakes ablaze.
Important Dates: The Enchantments lottery opens February 15 and runs until March 1. Results land March 15 on Recreation.gov. Unclaimed slots become available on April 1 at 7 A.M. PST and go in a flash, so set your alarm. Unlike past years, there weren’t any walk-ups in 2025. There’s a $6 fee to apply for this permit.
Reservation Details: The Enchantments are divided into five zones (Core Enchantment Zone, Snow Lake Zone, Colchuck Lake Zone, Stuart Lake Zone, and Eightmile/Caroline Zone). During the lottery, you must choose an entry date, group size (up to eight), and permit zone. Snagging a Core Zone permit is a miracle—people have better luck with Snow or Colchuck. Both allow you to hike through the Core Zone, though you must camp in your designated zone. The Core Zone has a per-person quota, while Colchuck and Snow are per-group. Smaller crews therefore have a better shot at the Core Zone, while larger groups should aim for Snow or Colchuck.
Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim, Grand Canyon National Park
What to Know: For many backpackers, the hike from the North Rim to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is a bucket-list trip. Prepare to cover 20 to 24 miles and over 6,000 feet of elevation gain over two to three days among painted redwall limestone monoliths, desert scrub, and aquamarine waterfalls.
There are three places to camp along the Rim-to-Rim corridor (Cottonwood, Bright Angel, and Havasupai Gardens) with limited availability. You’ll need to decide whether to begin at the North or South Rim and whether to follow the Bright Angel or South Kaibab trail when you apply. Hiking North to South has a shorter uphill push, but knee-busting 8,000-foot, 14.3-mile descent along the strenuous North Kaibab Trail. Temperatures can soar in June, July, and August, so consider a hike in mid- to late-May or September through mid-October.
Important Dates: Grand Canyon National Park operates an early access lottery once a month over a two-week period. The lottery awards you a time slot to apply for a permit four months before your intended hike-out date. Recreation.gov has a helpful chart of lottery dates based on when you aim to depart. The North Rim Entrance Station closes for winter, so Rim-to-Rim is only available mid-May to mid-October. This one has a $10 lottery application fee.
Reservation Details: Those with an earlier date and time slot have more luck with a Rim-to-Rim itinerary, so pump your whole group up to apply. You can find specific backcountry zone codes here. The park has limited large-group backcountry availability, so try a smaller group to juice your chances. If you don’t receive a time slot, log in to Recreation.gov on the first day of the month four months before your hike-out date to try again. Walk-ins are available in-person the day before at the South or North Rim Backcountry Information Centers. You won’t likely secure the entire Rim-to-Rim corridor this way but can still build an unforgettable Grand Canyon adventure.
The Wave, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
What to Know: The Wave sweeps like a golden, molten brushstroke across the desert and draws thousands of people each year. Only 64 people are allowed to visit this 6.4-mile out-and-back hike daily. If you nab a permit, know The Wave can be both hot and muddy. Carry plenty of water and sunscreen for no-joke spring and summer heat and come equipped with a four-wheel drive for the bumpy road to the trailhead.
Important Dates: The Wave lottery opens the first of the month four months in advance (i.e. to hike in June, apply in February) with results the first day of the next month. A daily lottery is available two days before your hike-out date from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. MST. Expect same-day notification and accept by 8 A.M. the next day. You’ll also need to pay a $6 application fee.
Reservation Details: You’re allowed to choose three dates in the advance lottery, which has the higher success rate. The daily lottery is only accessible from within a geo-fenced area via Recreation.gov. Using the Recreation.gov mobile application will make for a smoother experience. Group size is capped at six people, but only four groups (or 16 people—whichever comes first) receive the daily lottery, so consider a smaller crew. Dogs can join for The Wave—add your furry pal to your permit after you’re selected. Daily lottery holders must also arrive with photo ID in-person by 8:30 A.M. on hike-out day to pick up the permit and hear the mandatory safety brief.
Kalalau Trail, Napali Coast Kauai
What to Know: After 19.8 miles and 6,512 feet of elevation gain, you’ll be glad to relax at secluded Kalalau Beach. Tropical jungle gives way to never-ending views of the jagged, jaw-dropping Napali Coast on this narrow, adrenaline-filled trail (don’t look down on Crawler’s Ledge, where sturdy poles are a lifesaver). Most people camp at Hanakoa (six miles in) one night then press on to wild Kalalau (11 miles in). In the Kalalau Valley, build in time to explore paths to secret swim spots (nestled among guava trees and farm ruins), and hidden sea caves accessible from May-September. Grippy waterproof shoes and a good rain jacket are essential on this one for mud, streams, and steep, slippery descents.
Important Dates: Grab a permit year-round on a rolling basis, 90 days in advance of your hike-out date right at midnight Hawaii Standard Time (HST). You can also snag a walk-up permit first-come, first served from 8 A.M. – 11 A.M. Tuesday-Thursday in summer. Camping fees are $35 nightly for non-Hawaii residents.
Reservation Details: There is a 60-person daily quota for non-Hawaii residents and that goes fast in summer. It’s helpful to create an account on EHawaii.gov ahead of time. You’ll also need to snag parking for Ha’ena State Park at GoHaena.com with your permit number. While mild year-round, the dry season generally runs May-September. Storms and slip-outs on the narrow trail are common in the off-season.
The Lost Coast, California
What to Know: The dramatic 25-mile point-to-point Lost Coast Trail spans flat, sandy terrain along one of the few untouched Californian coastlines. You’ll hike on the misty beach with sea otters and elephant seals for isolated miles, hiking in harmony with the tides (which can make some parts of the trail impassable).
Travel southbound from Mattole Beach to Black Sands Beach to keep the powerful coastal wind behind you and be sure to check the often-fickle Northern California weather, which can bring dense summer fog. Layers and spare footwear for wet sand and choppy surf come in clutch.
Important Dates: Reserve this permit first-come, first-served 90 days ahead of your hike-out date at 7 A.M. PST. Walk-up passes are also available for three people per day at the King Range Visitor’s Center from Monday-Friday at 8 A.M. PST via lottery ($6 per application).
Reservation Details: Grab this one ASAP. The maximum group size for this trail is three people, and the hike generally takes two-four days. The Lost Coast is open year-round, but generally drier and warmer in spring and summer. Double the slots are available between May 15-September 15 as the off-season. Be sure to check a tide map and schedule before you apply to ensure the trail will be passable. NOAA maintains a useful tide tracker.
Madison Chapman is a writer and humanitarian worker based in Washington, D.C. with work appearing in The Washington Post and Ms. Magazine. When she’s not traveling or working, you can find her throwing pottery, practicing yoga, biking, and backpacking with her husband.
The post Planning the Perfect 2026 Adventure? Here’s How to Nab a Permit. appeared first on Outside Online.
