Trail permits help land managers understand the usage that areas receive, regulate highly trafficked sections to minimize impact, and in many cases influence funding allocations for trail maintenance and management budgets. Failure to obtain the correct permit for your backpacking, bikepacking, or paddling/rafting trip can result in fines, and goes against trail etiquette.
We have collected permit information for some of the most popular long-distance trails around the world. Always check directly with the relevant trail organization or land managers for the most up-to-date permitting information.
Trails that DO Require Permits
No master permit, but some permits required in National and State Parks
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Thru-Hiker Permit’s of $20 (available 38 days before entry and up to 8 days in the park).
- Shenandoah National Park): FREE self-registration permits (for AT thru-hikers) at north and south trail points.
- Baxter State Park: You can obtain a FREE permit at the Katahdin Stream Campground.
No Master Permit, but permits required in Grand Canyon National Park & Saguaro National Park
- Backcountry permits required for:
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Saguaro National Park
- Fee collected at Colossal Cave Park entrance.
- You should obtain a State Land Recreation permit if you plan on traveling outside the 15-foot corridor to camp.
Permit Required in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Backcountry
- Backcountry permit required.
- Advance reservations for backcountry camping required.
No master permit, but permits required in national parks and NM Land
- Advance permit required for: Glacier National Park, Blackfeet Nation land, Yellowstone National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park.
- On-trail permit registries located in wilderness areas.
- General NM state lands permit required.
Numerous small permits & FTA membership required
- Florida Trail Association membership is required to cross private lands, regardless of permit necessitation.
No master permit, but permits required in national parks
- Permits required for:
- Banff National Park
- Jasper National Park
- Kootenay National Park
- Waterton Lakes National Park
- Yoho National Park
Lottery style permit required
- Daily permits are capped, although a small number of permits are available as walk-ups (at specific entry points).
- Lottery is held 24 weeks (168 days) before start dates, applications are accepted 170 days in advance (two days before the lottery).
- If flexible on start date, one permit can be submitted for a number of potential start dates.
Lottery style permit required
- 2020 lottery applications accepted between February 1 and March 15.
- One application per group can include flexible dates, duplicate applications will be disregarded.
Master Permit Required (FREE)
- Advance submission portal available through PCTA.
- Master permits are for hikers and horseback riders traveling 500 or more miles (in one trip).
- The PCTA administers 50 permits/day for trips NOBO, 15 permits/day SOBO, 1400 section hikers permits crossing the John Muir Trail, 600 permits from the Southern Sierras.
- These permits are getting harder to get every year.
National Park Backcountry Permits Required
- North Cascades and Olympic National Parks allow special phone reservations for PNT thru-hikers.
- Olympic National Park: 360-565-3100
- North Cascades National Park: 360-854-7245
- Glacier National Park: backcountry permit must be obtained from one of the six ranger stations. (The PNTA notes that “the Polebridge and Two Medicine Ranger Stations and the Saint Mary Visitor Center are typically most convenient to PNT thru-hikers.”)
Park entrance fee & campsite/refugio reservations required
- Reservations can be made in advance, or in the park (be prepared to be flexible), but you can be turned away at Ranger stations if you are attempting to camp without a reservation.
Mt. Rainier National Park Wilderness Permit Required
- Online requests due no less than 7 days and no more than 30 days before trip start day.
- One full-circuit Wonderland Trail trip request per person.
- A limited number of first-come-first-serve permits can be obtained at Visitor, Information, and Wilderness Information stations throughout the park. (Currently suspended for 2020 due to COVID-19.)


Trails that DO NOT Require Permits
No permit required
- Free, self-service permits are available (and required) where the CT enters wilderness areas.
No permit required
- Ticket required to enter Petra (available in person or in advance).
- If entering through Little Petra, tickets must be purchased in advance.
- Entrance fee to Dana Biosphere Reserve required. Management can be contacted at 079-911-1434.
No permit required
- If staying in location for 2+ nights, contact the local state office to obtain a permit.
No permit required
- FREE registration required.

