Permits and Campgrounds that Require a 6 Month Advance Booking
Securing backcountry permits or campground campsites is often the hardest part of planning a backpacking or camping trip. Many popular parks, forests and wilderness areas release permits and campsites 6 months before desired trip dates. ~60% of backcountry permits are released in advance and up to 100% of campground sites are released in advance. More and more parks are using 100% advance bookings for campgrounds to avoid traffic jam line-ups of visitors trying to find a last minute campsite, only to come up short and be left with no where to stay. Permits and sites are snagged quickly, often within seconds of becoming available so it is important to be prepared to book. Backcountry permits are highly competitive for the months of July, August and September and car camping sites are competitive May through September.
When to Book:
If you are thinking about booking a trip for this summer, start booking as early as this month!
Trip dates in June 2022 = Book in December 2021
Trip dates in July 2022 = Book in January 2022
Trip dates in August 2022 = Book in February 2022
Trip dates in September 2022 = Book in March 2022
Trip dates in October 2022 = Book in April 2022
Parks and Agencies That Release 6 Months In Advance:
Backpacking Permits
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Yosemite National Park (6 month advance lottery)
Many wilderness areas and national forests within the Eastern Sierra including the popular John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness areas
Desolation Wilderness
Olympic National Park
Campgrounds
Joshua Tree National Park
Lassen National Park
North Cascades National Park
Mount Rainier National Park
Olympic National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Zion National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Arches National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Glacier National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
State Parks in California (Lake Tahoe, Big Sur), Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Ohio and Oregon