Not long ago, showing up at a trailhead with your boots laced and a full water bottle was enough. These days, some of the country’s most iconic hikes require something else entirely before you ever set foot on the trail — a permit. And for many of those, simply wanting one isn’t enough either. You have to win it.
The shift toward lottery-based trail access has been building for years, and it’s changing how hikers like Stacey Slamka plan their trips from the ground up. Understanding which trails require permits, how the systems work, and when to apply can make the difference between standing at a summit and standing at a parking lot.
Which Trails Now Require Permits
The list is longer than most casual hikers realize. Some of the most well-known examples:
Angels Landing, Zion National Park (Utah) — Since April 2022, a permit has been required year-round to hike beyond Scout Lookout to the Angels Landing summit. There are two lotteries: a seasonal lottery that opens four points a year covering 12-week windows, and a day-before lottery held between midnight and 3 p.m. the day prior to your hike. Each application costs $6 regardless of outcome.
The Wave, Coyote Buttes North (Arizona/Utah) — One of the most competitive permits in the country. Two lotteries run through Recreation.gov: one 16 weeks in advance and another for next-day permits. Demand far outpaces supply year-round.
Mount Whitney Trail (California) — A permit is required for all hikers on the Mount Whitney Trail between May 1 and November 1, whether day hiking or overnight. The lottery opens February 1 and closes March 1 each year.
The Enchantments, Washington — One of the most sought-after backcountry permits in the Pacific Northwest, with an early-access lottery window that opened February 15 through March 1 for 2026. Competition is fierce and getting steeper every year.
Wonderland Trail, Mount Rainier (Washington) — A trail Stacey Slamka knows well. Permits are required year-round for all overnight trips, with an early-access lottery running February 10 through March 3, and remaining reservable permits released publicly on April 25.
How Lottery Systems Actually Work
Most permit lotteries run through Recreation.gov, the federal platform that handles reservations and applications across national parks and public lands. The general process: create an account, find your trail’s permit page, submit an application during the designated window, and wait for results. Most seasonal lotteries are randomized, not first-come-first-served — so applying on day one versus day five typically makes no difference.
A few things worth knowing before you apply. For Angels Landing, you can list up to seven preferred hiking dates when entering the seasonal lottery, which meaningfully improves your odds. Weekday dates and shoulder-seasons generally carry better odds than peak summer weekends. And don’t overlook backup options — the day-before lottery for Angels Landing sometimes offers better odds than the seasonal lottery, making it a legitimate second shot if you miss the main window.
Planning Around a Permit System
The biggest mistake hikers make is building an entire trip around a permit they haven’t secured yet. The smarter approach is to apply first, then build the trip around what you win. A few practical habits that help:
- Apply early and apply often. Most seasonal lotteries open far ahead of the hiking window. Missing the application period entirely is the most avoidable mistake.
- Enter multiple date options. Systems like Angels Landing let you rank several preferred dates — use every slot.
- Have a backup plan. For every major permit trail, there are comparable hikes nearby that require no reservation at all. Knowing your alternatives going in takes the pressure off lottery results.
- Check for cancellations. Permits get released back into the system when holders cancel. Checking Recreation.gov in the weeks before a popular date can turn up surprising availability.
- Read the fine print. Permits are typically non-transferable, tied to a specific name and ID, and void if conditions change.
The Bigger Picture
Permit systems are genuinely divisive in the hiking community, and the tension is real. On one side: overcrowded trails degrade ecosystems, create safety risks, and diminish the experience for everyone. On the other: lottery systems can feel arbitrary, favor those with flexible schedules, and add friction that discourages newer or less-experienced hikers from trying.
What’s clear is that the system isn’t going away — and in some situations it’s expanding. For hikers building a serious trail list, learning to navigate permit culture isn’t optional anymore. It’s just part of planning a great trip.
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