Permit Directory
Every competitive permit,
tracked in real time.
We scan recreation.gov every minute for cancellations. Set an alert and get an SMS the moment a spot opens up.
These 111 permits have dedicated info pages — but PermitAlert monitors thousands of additional permits across all of recreation.gov. If you don't see your permit listed here, set an alert from the homepage and search for it directly.
California— 6 permits
🏔 WildernessSequoia & Kings Canyon Wilderness
CAMay – October
🏕 CampgroundPoint Reyes National Seashore Backpacking
CAYear-round; winter storms October – March can be severe
🏕 CampgroundUpper Pines Campground (Yosemite Valley)
CAYear-round (first two loops only in winter — ~50 sites available December – mid-February)
🏕 CampgroundLower Pines Campground (Yosemite Valley)
CAApril – October (seasonal closure in winter)
🏕 CampgroundLodgepole Campground (Sequoia NP)
CAWednesday before Memorial Day – early December (phased closures begin late September; weather-dependent)
🏕 CampgroundCottonwood Campground (Joshua Tree NP)
CAYear-round; summer heat extreme (regularly exceeds 105°F; June–September)
Washington— 7 permits
🏔 WildernessOlympic Wilderness
WAPermits required year-round for overnight backcountry camping. Summer-season reservations (May 15–Oct 15) released April 15 at 7:00am PT via recreation.gov (dates may vary slightly year to year).
🏔 WildernessWonderland Trail (Full Loop Route)
WAPermits available for trips late May through October 12, 2026 (first federal holiday in October); peak season mid-July through late August
🏔 WildernessOlympic National Park Coastal Wilderness
WAYear-round; storms and large surf common October – April
🏕 CampgroundKalaloch Campground (Olympic NP)
WAYear-round (limited winter sites)
🏕 CampgroundHoh Rain Forest Campground (Olympic NP)
WAYear-round; reservation season typically late May – mid-September (2026: June 12 – Sept 6); first-come, first-served outside reservation season
🏕 CampgroundOhanapecosh Campground (Mt. Rainier NP)
WALate May – late October
🏔 WildernessSpray Park Backcountry Camp (Mt. Rainier NP)
WAJuly – September
Arizona— 6 permits
🏔 WildernessGrand Canyon Backcountry
AZYear-round (spring/fall optimal; summer canyon temps exceed 110°F)
🚣 RiverColorado River through Grand Canyon (Noncommercial)
AZYear-round; noncommercial trips from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek are 12–25 days (NPS-defined range).
🏕 CampgroundMather Campground (Grand Canyon South Rim)
AZYear-round (limited services November – February)
🏕 CampgroundNorth Rim Campground (Grand Canyon)
AZ⚠️ CLOSED: North Rim Campground was closed for the entire 2025 season due to the Dragon Bravo Fire (July 2025). 2026 season status is uncertain pending fire damage assessment. Verify at recreation.gov before planning.
🏕 CampgroundBright Angel Campground (Grand Canyon NP)
AZYear-round (most popular March–May and September–November)
🏕 CampgroundPhantom Ranch (Grand Canyon NP)
AZYear-round
Colorado— 6 permits
🏔 WildernessRocky Mountain NP Wilderness
COYear-round
🚣 RiverYampa Canyon (Dinosaur National Monument)
COHigh-use: mid-May – early July (water-dependent snowmelt river)
🚣 RiverGates of Lodore / Green River (Dinosaur NM)
COHigh-use: mid-May – mid-September
🏔 WildernessBlack Canyon of the Gunnison Backcountry
COYear-round; inner canyon most accessible April – October
🏕 CampgroundMoraine Park Campground (Rocky Mountain NP)
COYear-round (77 sites available first-come, first-served during winter through ~May 18; full reservation season opens ~May 19)
🚣 RiverYampa River — Echo Park (Dinosaur NM)
COApril – June (spring runoff)
Wyoming— 4 permits
🏔 WildernessGrand Teton Backcountry
WYJuly – September
🏕 CampgroundBridge Bay Campground (Yellowstone)
WYMid-May – mid-September (2026 dates: May 15 – Sept 14; limited first-come sites May 15–21)
🏕 CampgroundMadison Campground (Yellowstone)
WYApproximately early May – mid-October (typically opens ~May 3, closes ~Oct 19–20; varies by year)
🏕 CampgroundJenny Lake Campground (Grand Teton NP)
WYLate May – late September
Michigan— 3 permits
🏔 WildernessPictured Rocks National Lakeshore
MIYear-round (peak May – October)
🏔 WildernessNorth Manitou Island Wilderness
MILate April – October (ferry-dependent; no winter ferry service)
🏔 WildernessIsle Royale National Park — Backcountry
MIMid-April – October (island closes November 1)
Utah— 2 permits
🚣 RiverCataract Canyon (Colorado River, Canyonlands)
UTYear-round
🏕 CampgroundWatchman Campground (Zion NP)
UTYear-round
TX— 2 permits
🏕 CampgroundBig Bend National Park Backcountry
TXOctober – April (peak); summer is extreme heat; permits available year-round
🚣 RiverRio Grande Wild & Scenic — Lower Canyons
TXOctober – April (peak); summer heat is extreme; year-round paddling possible
West Virginia— 3 permits
🚣 RiverGauley River (Dam Release Season)
WV22–23 release days over 6 weekends in September–October: first 5 weekends Fri–Mon (4 days each), final weekend Sat–Sun only (e.g. 2024 season: Sept 6 – Oct 19)
🏕 CampgroundGrandview Campground (New River Gorge NRA)
WVLate April – October
🏔 WildernessLong Point Trail Camp (New River Gorge NP)
WVApril – November
ME— 1 permit
🏕 CampgroundBlackwoods Campground (Acadia NP)
MEApproximately May 6 – October 16 (varies by year); reduced sites/services in off-season
Tennessee— 2 permits
🏕 CampgroundElkmont Campground (Great Smoky Mountains NP)
TNMid-March – late November
🏕 CampgroundLeConte Lodge (Great Smoky Mountains NP)
TNLate March – mid-November
Oregon— 1 permit
🏕 CampgroundMazama Campground (Crater Lake NP)
ORLate June – late September (snow closes the rim road in winter)
MD— 1 permit
🏕 CampgroundAssateague Island National Seashore Campground
MDYear-round; Oceanside reservations required Mar 15 – Nov 15 (first-come Nov 16 – Mar 14); Bayside reservations required year-round
NC— 1 permit
🏕 CampgroundOcracoke Campground (Cape Hatteras NS)
NCYear-round (extended to year-round as of 2020–2021)
Montana— 1 permit
🏕 CampgroundApgar Campground (Glacier NP)
MTEarly May – mid-October (full service); primitive camping available April 1 – early May and mid-October – November
Wisconsin— 1 permit
🏕 CampgroundApostle Islands National Lakeshore — Island Camping
WIMay – October