Tips for Securing Backcountry Permits

Save this post for when you’re ready to look into backcountry permits! If you’re feeling stressed or defeated about getting your backcountry permits or lotteries for the summer, you’re not alone! Here are my tips and tricks to give you the best shot at securing your dream trips: 📌 Almost every permit and lottery can be found and purchased on recreation.gov 📌 There’s a button on their homepage that you can click on and filter by area and/or dates you want to travel 📌 Most permits go on sale early in the morning, and they go fast! You want your entire crew to set their alarms and be on their website (on a laptop, not cell) ready to pounce on spots the second they drop. For super popular trips like 4 Pass Loop, you’ll want multiple people in your trip going for each campsite because they go that fast 📌 Some permits have two rounds for the summer, so if you think you’ve missed out , check again to make sure your dream trip doesn’t have a second round of permits opening up in a few months 📌 People release their tickets: meaning if you didn’t snag a spot for your ideal camping zone , you can potentially still snag a spot. Set an alarm and check it every day just in case! 📌 Doing a big hike that’s not permitted? If it’s a super busy one, check recreation.gov ahead of time because places like blue lakes that were not permitted last year will be permitted this year 📌 Roll the dice: some areas hold a certain number of permits at the ranger station that are available the morning of or night before. If you’re willing to risk not getting a spot & pivoting plans, research how it works for the particular area you want to backpack in 📌 Lotteries often have a window of time to apply and it’s just luck of the draw. Some people apply 10+ years in a row without ever getting a spot, so you just have to be patient and hope you get it! Feel free to ask more specific questions & follow @rebeexplores for more outdoor tips!