The popularity of outdoor places has soared in recent years. Thanks to sites like Instagram (and several other factors), photos showcasing the amazing beauty of the natural world mean more people want to experience these amazing places for themselves.
This has led to permit requirements for popular hikes across the U.S. Permits keep too many people from overrunning a natural area, and hopefully help it stay natural.
Here are some of the most popular hikes that now require permits to experience them.
And if you don’t get the permit you want for your trek, we’ve also included some alternative hikes that are just as good (and often less well-known). In fact, some of these alternatives are rumored to be better than the permit hikes!
Here are five popular hikes that require permits:
The Wave, Arizona/Utah Border
The Wave, also known as Coyote Buttes North, is a breathtaking hike through an amazing geological feature. It really does look like you’re walking through waves of rippling red and brown rock in this otherworldly landscape. You’ll also see other fascinating rock formations including The Alcove, Top Rock Arch, Melody Arch and the Grotto, and Fatali’s Boneyard.
This is an extremely popular area for photographers. The best time to take photos here is from mid-morning to early afternoon when you’ll have fewer shadows.
The Wave Trail actually crosses the state line from Utah into Arizona. According to AllTrails, it’s a 6.7-mile out-and-back trail that begins near Kanab, Utah. Dogs are allowed, and in some areas are allowed off-leash. This hike is considered challenging. The route isn’t well-marked, and you’ll want an offline map, either downloaded onto your phone or as a physical copy to follow.
The trail is open from sunrise to sunset each day. Fall and early winter (October through early November) are the best times for this hike. Summer can be very hot, and later winter months can be cold with the possibility of snow. However, your chances of getting a lottery permit are also higher in winter since fewer people want to hike then.
Park for the hike at the Wire Pass Trailhead parking lot. You can often drive the roads to the parking lot with a 2-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance. You’ll need a 4WD vehicle when it’s wet or muddy since roads are not paved or well-maintained and y
About Permit
There are two options for permits, but both are based on a lottery system.
If you happen to be in the area, you can try your luck at the Daily Lottery. This gives you a chance at a permit two days after you apply. This option is available on mobile phones only. That’s because applications are limited by a geofence. You must already be in this area in order to apply for the Daily Lottery.
If you’re planning four months in advance, enter the Advanced Lottery. You can enter up to three dates during the month you want to get a permit.
There is a $6 charge for entering the lottery, plus a $7 recreation fee per person or dog.
If you win a permit, you will need to pick up that permit and maps the day before your hike. You will also need to attend a safety meeting.
You could also hire a local guide to lead your hike to The Wave. Check with the tour company – many of them still require you to get a permit for the hike. These companies charge about $200 per person, although that cost can fluctuate depending on the size of your group.
Nearby Campgrounds
The best place to camp in Arizona near The Wave is in the town of Page. You’ll be near Lake Powell, so you can also spend a few days enjoying the lake and surrounding area. Thanks to Arizona’s warm weather, you’ll find plenty of options for RV parks and resorts!
Where to Go if You Don’t Get the Permit
The amazing rock formations in this region of Utah and Arizona aren’t confined just to The Wave hike! If you don’t get a permit to hike here, you have plenty of nearby options. Here are a few:
- Buckskin Gulch: Park at the same trailhead (Wire Pass), and hike through the longest and deepest slot canyon in the Southwest. This hike can be up to 20 miles, but there are plenty of options for shorter day hikes. The Buckskin Overlook to Wire Pass Trail is 5.6 miles long with 426 feet of elevation gain. It’s considered a moderately challenging hike.
- Toadstool Hoodoos: If you don’t want to deal with permits at all, this is a great option! The trail is 45 miles east of Kanab, Utah, and is an easy 1.7 miles. You’ll see hoodoos similar to those at Bryce Canyon but on a smaller scale. This is a much less crowded choice for families, and for people passing through who don’t want to do a lot of planning.
- The Nautilus: The Nautilus is another interesting rock formation near Kanab. The seashell-shaped rock makes a great backdrop for photos. The hike is less than a mile long and is considered easy.
Half Dome, Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country. And the hike up the iconic Half Dome landmark is a very popular one as well.
However, the hike to Half Dome is not to be taken lightly. It’s a very strenuous, sometimes dangerous, hike. It’s not a trail to attempt if you’re not well-prepared.
The trail is between 14-16 miles long, depending on your route, with almost 5,000 feet of elevation gain. Some of the hike is dirt trail, some is granite stairs, and the very end involves using cables to make your way up the back of the dome. The cables are usually put in place the Friday before Memorial Day and come down the Tuesday after the second Monday in October. However, weather can affect when the cables go up or down for the season. Do not hike to the dome without the cables in place.
You’ll want to check weather reports before your hike. Rain can make the trail treacherous, and lightning storms are possible while you’re exposed at the summit of the dome. You’ll also want a good flashlight, and possibly a backup. The hike takes most people 10-12 hours to complete, and you’ll want light if you take longer than you planned to get back down.
The hike up to Half Dome via the Mist Trail is dotted with other beautiful landmarks as well. You’ll pass both Vernal and Nevada Falls, and if you want to turn around at either point, you won’t need the Half Dome permit. The hike to Vernal Fall is 2.4 miles round trip, and the hike to Nevada Fall is 5.4 miles.
The best time to hike Half Dome is during the summer or very early fall. However, those are also the most popular times to visit the park. You may have better luck planning a trip just after Labor Day when most families need to be home for school schedules.
Dogs are not allowed on the trail to Half Dome.
About Permit
Anyone heading from the base of the subdome up to the summit (the section of the hike where you use cables) is required to obtain a permit. A maximum of 300 hikers – about 225 day hikers and 75 backpackers – are allowed each day.
For day hikers, there is a preseason lottery period each March, and a daily lottery during the hiking season. You can find signups for both of these lotteries at Recreation.gov. You will be charged a $10 non-refundable application fee and each awarded permit has a $10 recreation fee per hiker.
Backpackers should apply for their permits when they make their wilderness permit reservations. The permit is an extra $10 per person.
Nearby Campgrounds
There are several campgrounds in the Yosemite Valley that are good options if you want to hike Half Dome or other trails. The closest campgrounds to the trailhead are the Upper, Lower, and North Pines Campgrounds. You can also take a shuttle from Curry Village to the trailhead, although the shuttle doesn’t start service until 7 am. If you’re hiking in the summer, reservations at these campgrounds and at Curry Village are in very high demand.
Where to Go if You Don’t Get the Permit
If you don’t get your permit for Half Dome, here are a few other hikes to try around Yosemite:
- Vernal and Nevada Falls: You can hike a portion of the same trail you take to summit Half Dome. You’ll walk along the Merced River and follow it to the top of two waterfalls with beautiful views of Yosemite Valley.
- Cloud’s Rest: If you’re looking for a trail that’s similar in length and difficulty (and amazing views!), Cloud’s Rest is your trail. It’s 12.4 miles with 3,116 feet of elevation gain, and the summit is actually higher than Half Dome’s. In fact, people who’ve done both say this is the better view of the valley.
- Sentinel Dome: This is a good option for families that might not be able to make the more strenuous Half Dome climb. This trail is 2.2 miles long with 459 feet of elevation gain. It starts from Glacier Point Road and gives hikers amazing views of the valley.
Angels Landing, Zion National Park
Angels Landing is the most popular hike at Zion National Park. It’s a challenging hike, covering 4.3 miles and 1,827 feet of elevation gain. It has some technical sections, and there are steep drop-offs along the cliff edges on the trail.
You’ll encounter 21 switchbacks along the trail, in a section known as Walter’s Wiggles. There are also anchored support chains along the section from Scout Lookout to Angels Landing, where you will hike carved steps to the lookout.
At the top, you’ll get amazing views of Zion Canyon.
The hike starts at The Grotto Trailhead, where you will cross a bridge over the Virgin River and follow signs for the trail.
The best time to hike this trail is during the shoulder seasons – late spring or early fall. The weather is still usually mild enough to tackle the trail, but the summer busy season hasn’t yet started.
Dogs are not allowed on the Angels Landing Trail.
About Permit
There are two types of permits you can obtain to hike Angels Landing – the Seasonal Lottery and the Day-Before Lottery. The Seasonal Lottery allows you to get a permit three months in advance, while the Day-Before Lottery is for hikers hoping for a last-minute hike the next day.
There is a $6 non-refundable fee to apply for a permit for up to 6 people. If you win your permit lottery, you will be charged $3 for every person you registered.
Once you have your permit, print it out at home and bring it along on your hike. Rangers may ask to see your permit while you’re hiking.
Nearby Campgrounds
The Watchman Campground inside Zion National Park is the closest to Angels Landing. It’s a popular campground, and reservations are required – you can make them up to six months in advance. South Campground is also a nearby choice.
Where to Go if You Don’t Get the Permit
There are other trails at Zion you can try if you don’t get approval to hike Angels Landing.
- Observation Point: Many other trails at Zion will lead you to amazing views of the canyon, including this one! The moderately challenging hike is 7 miles out and back, with 702 feet of elevation gain. You’ll also get plenty of switchbacks to the top, in case you were afraid of missing those from the Angels Landing hike. Lucky you!
- The Narrows: This might be an even more unique hike at Zion than Angels Landing! When hiking The Narrows, your trail is in the water. You’ll walk the Virgin River, in ankle-deep water which reaches waist height at some points. The entire trail is 16 miles long, but you can walk portions of it without committing to the entire thing. An outfitter near the Zion Visitor Center rents waders, boots, socks, and hiking sticks.
- Watchman Trail: The Watchman Trail is a 3.1-mile hike with 636 feet of elevation gain. You’ll get great views over Springdale.
Mount Whitney, California
At 14,505, Mount Whitney is the tallest peak in the continental U.S. The 21.2-mile hike gains 6,663 feet in elevation. This is a very challenging hike, and should only be attempted by experienced, prepared hikers.
The trail is off of Highway 395, near Lone Pine, in the Inyo National Forest. The best time to hike Mount Whitney is from July through early September, when the chance of snow is at its lowest. The summer months are also a popular time to try and get a permit, however.
Expect the hike to take between 12-14 hours to complete. You’ll want a good flashlight – you’ll either be leaving while it’s still dark out or possibly returning in the dark.
You’ll want to check weather reports before hiking. This elevation can get snow at any time of year. Also, the summit of the mountain is a dangerous place to be during a lightning storm. Talk to your hiking group, and have an agreed-upon time that you’ll turn around, even if you haven’t summited, in order to keep everyone safe.
You’ll want a first aid kit, and wilderness first aid training would be helpful as well. No one ever plans on getting hurt, but it happens! You’ll also want to know the signs of Acute Mountain Sickness (altitude sickness). Severe altitude sickness can lead to impaired judgment and accidents on the trail.
Dogs are not allowed on the Mount Whitney Trail.
Nearby Campgrounds
The Whitney Portal Campground is the closest to the trailhead, and it does allow RV camping. Lone Pine Campground and Tuttle Creek Campground are also good options.
About Permit
You need a wilderness permit year-round to visit Mt. Whitney. You’ll need a Day Use Permit to hike anywhere in the Whitney Zone. You’ll need an Overnight Permit for any multi-day trips, including camping at Lone Pine Lake.
Any hikes between May 1 – November 1 are in the Mt. Whitney Lottery. You can apply for your preference of dates and group size, and you can have up to 10 alternate trip choices and three alternate leaders on your application. An additional non-refundable fee of $15 per person is required if you are awarded your permit.
Where to Go if You Don’t Get the Permit
There are lots of great hikes in the area if you don’t end up getting a permit to hike Mount Whitney. Here are a few to try:
- Cottonwood Lakes Trail: This is a strenuous trail of 16.2 miles with a 2,677-foot elevation gain. It begins at Horseshoe Meadow and goes through the Golden Trout Wilderness and the John Muir Wilderness. You’ll wander next to a creek and up to a loop section. There are also off-shoots that lead to Muir Lake, South Fork Lake, and Cirque Lake.
- Mount Langley: At 22.4 miles and 4,927 feet, this is almost as difficult of a trail as Mount Whitney. It’s the ninth-highest mountain in California, and the southernmost 14er in the U.S. It’s also only five miles from Mt. Whitney. You’ll get amazing views, and you’ll need to be ready to scramble before you summit.
- Lone Pine Lake: This is a challenging hike that’s 6 miles long and 1,771 feet in elevation. This hike is just outside the Whitney Zone, so you don’t need a permit.
Enchantment Lakes, Washington
The Enchantments Traverse is an 18-mile one-way trail that takes you past sparkling alpine lakes, towering mountains, and frolicking mountain goats. You can choose to hike the entire trail in one day, or backpack through The Enchantments. You can also try a day hike of 7 miles and 4,400 feet elevation gain to the first of the lakes in the Upper Enchantments and then head back. Don’t forget that if you’re doing the one-way hike, you’ll need to leave a car at the end or arrange a ride.
The best time to do this hike is from mid-summer to early fall. The area gets lots of snow, and this is the time you’re least likely to encounter too much of it.
You’ll still want to check the weather, however. Along with snow, check for thunderstorms and other wet weather.
Mountain goats are plentiful in this area, and they’re known for getting close to humans. You may want to study up on how to hike safely around the goats.
Dogs are not allowed in The Enchantments Permit Area.
Nearby Campgrounds
The charming, Bavarian-style town of Leavenworth, Washington is just 12 miles from The Enchantments trailhead. You’ll find lots of RV campgrounds in town, including Alpine View RV Park & Campground and the Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA.
About Permit
First, you’ll need a $5 National Forest Day Pass in order to park your car near the trailhead. If you’re leaving a car at the start and one at the finish, you need to purchase a pass for each car. You can get these passes online, at certain retailers, and at the trailhead.
You’ll need a permit for day hiking or overnight backpacking on this trail. The day hiking permit is simple to obtain. – they’re free and you simply take one at the trailhead before you begin. When you leave the trail, drop your permit in the designated box.
If you want to backpack this trail between May 15 and October 31, you’ll need an Enchantments Area Wilderness Permit. There are permits that allow you to camp in various zones throughout the area. If you’re lucky enough to get a Core Enchantment Zone pass, you are allowed to camp in any of the zones.
You can apply for an overnight permit by entering the advanced permit lottery or using a mobile phone to apply to the Enchantment Permit Area Daily Lottery. As with The Wave, you need to be in the area to apply for the Daily Lottery. There is a $6 non-refundable application fee for every person who wants a permit.
If you don’t win a permit during the advanced lottery, you can still check Recreation.gov and look for available dates. You may find some that haven’t been claimed yet.
Where to Go if You Don’t Get the Permit
Since day permits are self-issued, your only real challenge is getting an overnight permit. However, there are some great hikes near The Enchantments if you don’t want to do the entire trail in one day!
- Colchuck Lake: The hike to Colchuck Lake via Stuart Lake and Colchuck Lake Trail is 8.7 miles out and back and features 2,342 feet of elevation gain. It’s considered a challenging hike.
- Kaleetan Peak Trail: This trail is 10.8 miles and 4,786 feet of elevation gain, so it will get your blood pumping! There are some steep climbs, and some will require your hands as well as feet to get to the top.
- Lake Ingalls: This is an 8.9-mile hike with 2,834 feet of elevation gain. It’s generally considered a challenging route, and this is a very popular summer hike.
Hopefully, this article has given you some inspiration. If you get turned down for a highly-coveted permit, take heart! There are lots of gorgeous alternatives out there. And, of course, you’ll get another chance when permit lotteries open up again the next season!
