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Wilderness & Backcountry
Permits by State — 2026

Reservation systems, lottery applications, permit quotas, bear canister requirements, and fire permit rules for wilderness areas across all 50 states. Know before you go — popular areas sell out months ahead.

All 50 States Covered Lottery & Reservation Info Bear Canister & Fire Rules
50States Covered
8Lottery Systems
44Self-Issue Available
111M+Wilderness Acres
Multiple Agencies Per State: Wilderness areas are managed by multiple federal and state agencies — National Park Service (NPS), US Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and state agencies each have their own permit systems. Each page lists the primary agency and links you to the correct reservation portal.
Reservation systems
Lottery windows
Bear canister rules
Fire permit requirements
Self-issue options
Why Permits?

Why Wilderness Permits Matter

Protect Ecosystems
Quotas limit the number of visitors in fragile alpine meadows, riparian zones, and sensitive habitats where even light foot traffic causes decades of soil and vegetation damage.
Better Experience
Permit quotas mean fewer people on the trail and at camp. You'll enjoy true solitude, wildlife sightings, and the wilderness experience that brought you there in the first place.
Required Access
Many of America's most iconic backcountry destinations — John Muir Trail, Enchantments, Zion Narrows — require a permit to enter. You simply cannot legally access them without one.
Wildlife Safety
Bear country rules — canisters, food hangs, and fire restrictions — protect both visitors and wildlife. Rangers use permits to educate hikers before they encounter grizzly, black bear, and mountain lion habitat.
Filter by region:
50 states
50 states shown
AL
Alabama
Via Self-issue / No pe...
Self-Issue
Permit info
AK
Alaska
Via Recreation.gov (De...
Self-Issue Bear Can
Permit info Reserve online
AZ
Arizona
Via Recreation.gov
Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
AR
Arkansas
Via Self-issue / No pe...
Self-Issue
Permit info
CA
California
Via Recreation.gov
Lottery Self-Issue Bear Can
Permit info Reserve online
CO
Colorado
Via Recreation.gov
Lottery Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
CT
Connecticut
Via No permit system
Self-Issue
Permit info
DE
Delaware
Via No wilderness perm...
Permit info
FL
Florida
Via Recreation.gov (Ev...
Permit info Reserve online
GA
Georgia
Via Self-issue / Recre...
Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
HI
Hawaii
Via Recreation.gov / S...
Permit info Reserve online
ID
Idaho
Via Recreation.gov
Lottery Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
IL
Illinois
Via Self-issue / No pe...
Self-Issue
Permit info
IN
Indiana
Via Self-issue / No pe...
Self-Issue
Permit info
IA
Iowa
Via No wilderness perm...
Self-Issue
Permit info
KS
Kansas
Via No wilderness perm...
Self-Issue
Permit info
KY
Kentucky
Via Self-issue / No pe...
Self-Issue
Permit info
LA
Louisiana
Via Self-issue / No pe...
Self-Issue
Permit info
ME
Maine
Via Recreation.gov / B...
Permit info Reserve online
MD
Maryland
Via Recreation.gov (li...
Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
MA
Massachusetts
Via No formal wilderne...
Self-Issue
Permit info
MI
Michigan
Via Self-issue / No pe...
Self-Issue Bear Can
Permit info
MN
Minnesota
Via Recreation.gov
Lottery Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
MS
Mississippi
Via Self-issue / No pe...
Self-Issue
Permit info
MO
Missouri
Via Self-issue / No pe...
Self-Issue
Permit info
MT
Montana
Via Recreation.gov
Self-Issue Bear Can
Permit info Reserve online
NE
Nebraska
Via No wilderness perm...
Self-Issue
Permit info
NV
Nevada
Via Recreation.gov / S...
Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
NH
New Hampshire
Via Self-issue (AMC Hu...
Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
NJ
New Jersey
Via Recreation.gov (De...
Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
NM
New Mexico
Via Recreation.gov
Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
NY
New York
Via Recreation.gov (Hi...
Self-Issue Bear Can
Permit info Reserve online
NC
North Carolina
Via Recreation.gov
Self-Issue Bear Can
Permit info Reserve online
ND
North Dakota
Via Recreation.gov (Th...
Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
OH
Ohio
Via Self-issue / No pe...
Self-Issue
Permit info
OK
Oklahoma
Via Self-issue / No pe...
Self-Issue
Permit info
OR
Oregon
Via Recreation.gov
Lottery Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
PA
Pennsylvania
Via Self-issue (most a...
Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
RI
Rhode Island
Via No wilderness perm...
Permit info
SC
South Carolina
Via Self-issue / No pe...
Self-Issue
Permit info
SD
South Dakota
Via Recreation.gov (Ba...
Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
TN
Tennessee
Via Recreation.gov
Bear Can
Permit info Reserve online
TX
Texas
Via Recreation.gov (Bi...
Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
UT
Utah
Via Recreation.gov
Lottery Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
VT
Vermont
Via Recreation.gov (li...
Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
VA
Virginia
Via Self-issue / Recre...
Self-Issue
Permit info Reserve online
WA
Washington
Via Recreation.gov
Lottery Self-Issue Bear Can
Permit info Reserve online
WV
West Virginia
Via Self-issue / No pe...
Self-Issue
Permit info
WI
Wisconsin
Via Self-issue / No pe...
Self-Issue
Permit info
WY
Wyoming
Via Recreation.gov
Lottery Self-Issue Bear Can
Permit info Reserve online
FAQ

Common Wilderness Permit Questions

For lottery permits (John Muir Trail, Enchantments, Maroon Bells, etc.) you typically apply January–March for summer travel. Reservations on recreation.gov open 6 months in advance for most USFS and NPS areas — set calendar reminders for the exact opening date of your target trailhead. Popular corridors like Whitney Portal and Half Dome fill within minutes of opening.
A lottery permit means applications are collected during a specific window (often January–March) and winners are randomly selected. You pay a non-refundable application fee ($6–$10 typically). If selected, you pay the full permit fee. Lottery systems are used when demand vastly exceeds supply — like the Enchantments in Washington (7,000+ applicants for ~70 spaces per day).
In California, a California Campfire Permit is required for any open flame on federal land outside developed campgrounds — it is separate from your wilderness permit and free. Other western states (Oregon, Washington, Arizona) have similar systems. Fire permits are often suspended during extreme fire danger. Always check current fire restrictions before lighting any stove or fire.
A self-issue permit means you fill out a paper permit at a trailhead kiosk — no advance reservation needed. These are common for lower-traffic wilderness areas and are free or low cost. You record your entry date, exit date, trailhead, and party size. Always carry your permit in the backcountry — rangers do check.
No. Bear canisters are mandated in specific high-use areas with active bear activity: Sierra Nevada (Yosemite, Inyo, Kings Canyon), Olympic NP, Glacier NP (Denali area), and parts of Oregon (Three Sisters) and Washington (Enchantments). In most other wilderness, approved food hangs (PCT method) or bear boxes at designated sites are sufficient. Always check the specific wilderness area rules.
Generally yes, with Leave No Trace principles — minimum 200 feet from water, trails, and other camps. However many popular zones have designated campsites only (Half Dome, Whitney, most National Park backcountry). Your permit specifies where you can camp each night. Alpine zones above treeline have stricter fire and camp distance rules. Check your specific permit terms.