Last updated August 30, 2026
Hiking Permit & Reservation Calendar: Know When to Apply
The permit deadline often arrives months before the hike. Search high-demand trails and treks to see whether access uses an annual lottery, day-before lottery, first-come release, rolling wilderness window or hut booking—and what you should do next.
Find Your Permit Window
Use this as a planning layer, then open the official source for current inventory, fees and rule changes.
Deadlines Worth Marking Now
| Date | Destination | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 | Mount St. Helens | October climbing permits release. |
| Sep 1, 2026 | Grand Canyon Backcountry | January 2027 early-access lottery closes. |
| Sep 1, 2026 | The Wave | Advanced application month begins for January 2027 dates. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Angels Landing | Winter seasonal lottery opens. |
| Oct 20, 2026 | Angels Landing | Winter seasonal lottery closes. |
| Feb 2027* | Enchantments | Expected annual advanced lottery window. |
| Mar 2027* | Half Dome | Expected preseason lottery cycle. |
*Expected, not yet confirmed. The tool intentionally separates published dates from recurring planning patterns.
Why Hiking Permits Are Easy to Miss
Apply During a Window
Angels Landing, Half Dome, Mount Whitney, The Wave and Enchantments all use lottery mechanics, but on very different schedules.
Be Ready at a Specific Time
Mount St. Helens uses timed first-come releases where a calendar reminder is often more useful than another route article.
Count Back From the Trip
Yosemite wilderness permits work on rolling windows rather than one annual deadline.
The Bed Controls the Trek
New Zealand Great Walk bookings can determine whether the standard multi-day itinerary is even possible.
How the Calendar Handles Changing Dates
Confirmed
Current dates and rules published by the managing agency or official booking platform.
Expected
A recurring annual pattern that is useful for planning but still requires official confirmation for the next cycle.
After You Find the Permit Window
Angels Landing Guide
Permit rules, chains, exposure and Scout Lookout decision.
Plan Angels Landing → ZionThe Narrows Guide
Bottom-up vs top-down permits plus current river conditions.
Plan The Narrows → YosemiteHalf Dome Guide
Connect the lottery to route difficulty, cables and logistics.
Plan Half Dome → SierraMount Whitney Guide
Lottery, altitude and summit-day planning.
Plan Whitney → ToolHiking Difficulty Calculator
Once access is solved, check whether the route effort matches your plan.
Calculate difficulty → My ClimbSave the Deadline
Carry the permit window into your broader trip plan.
Open My Climb →Hiking Permit Calendar FAQ
Does this show live permit availability?
No. It tracks application windows and reservation systems. Use each official-source button for live inventory.
What does “expected” mean?
The managing agency has used a recurring annual pattern, but the next season’s official date has not yet been published.
Lottery vs release?
A lottery collects applications and allocates access later. A release opens inventory at a specific time, usually first come, first served.
Does the calendar include hut bookings?
Yes, when hut or campsite reservations effectively control access to a multi-day trek.
How often should I recheck?
Before applying, after receiving a permit or booking, and immediately before travel.
Can I save deadlines in My Climb?
The page links into My Climb so the permit deadline can become part of the full trip workflow.
Put the Application Date on Your Calendar Before You Put the Hike on Your Itinerary.
For high-demand hikes, access planning starts months before the trailhead. Find the window here, verify the official source, then save the deadline with the rest of your trip plan.
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Global Summit Guide is an independent mountaineering resource founded in 2026. The team combines first-hand trekking and climbing experience with in-depth research and professional health and nutrition review to help climbers choose objectives, prepare properly, and stay safe.
Health, altitude, and nutrition content is reviewed by Taylor Ludlow (Registered Nurse) and Brigg Hoopes (Nutritionist).
What We Don't Know Yet
Mountain information changes quickly. This box explains the limits of what this page can responsibly promise.
- Permit availability, reservation windows, quotas, and official fee rules may change after this page is updated.
- Visa, passport, vaccination, border, insurance, and local transportation rules may change before your trip.
- Route conditions, snowpack, closures, and weather can change quickly after this page is updated.
- Permit rules, fees, quotas, and reservation windows may change between review cycles.
- Operator availability, pricing, guide ratios, and cancellation terms can change by season.
Verify current conditions with official land managers, guide services, local forecasts, and current route reports before booking or climbing.
Mountaineering, rock and ice climbing, glacier travel, and high-altitude activity are inherently dangerous and can result in serious injury or death. The information on Global Summit Guide is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional instruction, qualified guiding, proper equipment, or your own judgment and experience.
Route conditions, weather, snowpack, permits, regulations, and hazards change constantly and may differ from what is described here. Details may be incomplete, out of date, or contain errors. Always verify current information with local authorities, certified guides, and official sources before making any decision in the mountains.
Nothing on this site is medical, legal, or financial advice. Our fitness, acclimatization, altitude, and nutrition content is general in nature; consult a qualified physician before beginning any strenuous exercise program or exposing yourself to high altitude.
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Use current permit, weather, route, and operator information before booking or climbing.