U.S. Wilderness Lotteries – January

Don’t wait until it’s too late to plan and reserve your permits for some of the most incredible wilderness areas in the United States. Permits and lotteries are released to the public variously throughout the year. Most U.S. wilderness areas require some passes, whether for camping, hiking, backcountry, or more. Most importantly, many of these permits may need to be requested up to 6-months to a year in advance

This article is designed to help you understand which required permits will be released throughout January to help you plan your outdoor adventure trips for 2021!

Remember that it’s essential always to be prepared and know the risks before you go.

Mt. Whitney Portal Camping Permits

Starting in January 2021, rolling permits will be available for the dates July 2021.

Whitney Portal Campground is in a prime location within the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains – at the base of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States. With hiking trails to Mt. Whitney and the John Muir Wilderness less than a mile away, the campground is a popular home base for hikers, as well as family, RV, and tent campers who wish to explore the area’s activities and enjoy unparalleled scenery.

Season Dates, Permit Information:

Individual sites at this campground operate on a 6-month rolling basis. On January 1, 2021, at 7:00 am PST, availability will be released through July 1, 2021.

Katmai National Park, Brook’s Camping Permit

On January 5, 2021, reservations will be available from June 1 – September 17. (Peak Season)

Katmai National Monument was established in 1918 to protect the volcanically devastated region surrounding Mount Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Today, Katmai National Park and Preserve remain an active volcanic landscape, but it also protects 9,000 years of human history as well as important habitat for salmon and the thousands of brown bears that feed on them.

With its wildlife viewing opportunities, access to Naknek Lake, and stunning views of nearby mountains, the Brooks Camp Campground is considered by many to be one of the top campgrounds in North America.

Camping at Brooks Camp is only permitted within the designated campground. Campers arriving without a reservation, especially in July when the campground is usually full, must be prepared to backcountry camp outside of the Brooks Camp Developed Area.

Backcountry/Wilderness Camping:

More than four million acres of Katmai are open to backcountry/wilderness camping. Backcountry camping is not permitted within the Brooks Camp Developed Area (the area within 1.5 miles of Brooks Falls) year-round or within the core Hallo Bay meadows from April 1 through October 31. No permits are required for backcountry camping.

Season Dates, Permit Information:

The peak season for Brooks Camp Campground is June 1 – September 17. Current year advanced reservations for the Brooks Camp Campground can be made on January 5, 2021, starting at 8:00 a.m. Alaska Time.

Paria Canyon Overnight Permits

On January 1, 2021, reservations were accepted for April.

Nationally known for its beauty, the Paria Canyon has towering walls streaked with desert varnish, huge red rock amphitheaters, sandstone arches, wooded terraces, and hanging gardens.

Paria Canyon, Buckskin Gulch, and Wire Pass combine to form one of the longest slot canyon systems in the United States. Portions of the permit area are included in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Kanab Field Office, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

The Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness contains a variety of scenic, geological, historical, biological, and recreational values. Paria Canyon is noted for its scenery caused by erosion of the sedimentary rocks in the 2,500’ deep canyon producing a variety of unusual geological features such as arches, amphitheaters, and massive sandstone walls. At the Arizona-Utah border the Paria Canyon and its tributary, Buckskin Gulch, form spectacular ‘narrows’ only a few feet wide in places and several hundred feet deep.

Opportunities for visitors to experience solitude vary from good to outstanding, depending on the area of use. Excellent opportunities exist for a variety of primitive and unconfined types of recreation. Backpack through water-sculpted narrows and colorful geological layers on your

Season Dates, Permit Information:

This permit is required in order to camp overnight in the canyon. You must apply for, obtain, and purchase a permit in advance and pick up your permit in person within 10 days of the start date of your trip. Reservations are accepted at 12:00 noon (MDT) on the 1st of each month for a permit during the third month ahead.

For example, permits for the month of August would become available on May 1st at 12:00 noon MDT. Reservations are not accepted for trips beginning the same day.

Coyote Buttes South

On January 1, 2021 Reservations were accepted starting at 12 noon MDT for a permit during April.

Coyote Buttes South is just a small part of the 112,500 acres Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, but it includes some of the most visually striking geologic sandstone formations in the world. This area requires hiking in deep sand. There are no designated hiking trails or specific destinations in Coyote Buttes South. Hikers enjoy exploring and discovering their own routes. This remote area offers an opportunity for solitude where you will very likely see no one or have only occasional contact with other visitors. Permit holders should be in good physical condition and have good backcountry hiking and navigation skills.

Season Dates, Permit Information:

This permit is required to visit the Coyote Buttes South permit area. The area is designated day-use only (no overnight). Reservations are accepted at 12:00 noon (MDT) on the 1st of each month for a permit during the third month ahead. Reservations are not accepted for trips beginning the day of or the next day.

For example, permits for the month of August would become available on May 1st at 12:00 noon MDT. Online reservations would not be accepted starting on August 14th for a trip on August 15th.

The Wave - Coyote Buttes North

On January 1, 2021 Reservations were accepted starting at 12 noon MDT for a permit during April.

Season Dates, Permit Information:

For example, permits for the month of August would become available on May 1st at 12:00 noon MDT. Online reservations would not be accepted starting on August 14th for a trip on August 15th.

Grand Teton National Park Backcountry Permits

Advance backcountry permit reservations open at 8:00 a.m. MT on January 6th, 2021 for overnight stays May 1, 2021 – October 31, 2021.

Over 230 miles of breathtaking mountain trails, high-alpine camping zones, lakeshore, and boat-in sites, and climbing bivy sites await the mountain adventurer. Some of the most impressive mountain wilderness in the world is found in Grand Teton National Park – pristine alpine meadows blanketed with wildflowers, crystal clear lakes and streams, glacially carved canyons, towering granite peaks, and abundant wildlife. The area is typified by rugged peaks and dramatic canyons ranging from 6,700 feet to 13,770 feet in elevation.

Season Dates, Permit Information:

A permit is required for all backcountry camping trips in Grand Teton National Park. All persons who intend to sleep overnight, camp, or bivouac in the backcountry, or who are in possession of equipment designed for overnight use in the backcountry, must obtain a backcountry permit and carry it with them.