Where and When You Need a Camping Permit

Written by John Olsen in General Camping & Hiking Tips

Camping can be a great way to connect with friends, family, yourself, and nature. Sometimes, campsites–especially for backpacking–require reservations and/or permits, though, which can be tricky to obtain.

Camping permits are required almost everywhere for backpacking or backcountry camping. Overnight activities, like rock climbing or overnight horseback riding trips, also often require a permit. More dangerous or advanced hikes will also often require a permit.

Below is a list of National Parks and other nature areas maintained by the National Parks Service that require permits, as well as their entrance fees and other activities that require permits as well.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail – CT, GA, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV

The Appalachian Trail is a public footpath that spans fourteen states from Maine to Georgia. It’s 2,180+ miles long and completely free to hike on–no fees required. However, since it passes through multiple states, national parks, forests, and public lands, there might be some charges along the way.

  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park (TE, NC): Permit needed to enter the park; backpackers are required to stay in a shelter, and spaces are reserved at each Appalachian Trail shelter for thru-hikers.
  • Shenandoah National Park (VA): no-charge permits are required for all thru-hikers; overnight-use “huts” are available for long-distance hikers (3 days+ in SNP).
  • Green Mountain National Forest/Green Mountain Club (VE): fees are collected at some high-use campsites.
  • White Mountain National Forest/Appalachian Mountain Club (NH): overnight fees are charged at campsites maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club.
  • Baxter State Park (MA): required registration upon entering the park; fee for overnight camping.

Arches National Park – UT

Located in Southern Utah, Arches contains over 2,000 natural arches as well as hundreds of other natural rock formations.

From April 3 to October 3, 2022, a timed entry reservation will be required to enter the park; timed entry tickets cost $2. Entrance fees are $30 for a single, non-commercial vehicle, $25 for a single, non-commercial motorcycle, and $15 for an individual either hiking, biking, or walking.

Permits are required in Arches for:

Big Bend National Park – TX

Big Bend encompasses huge swathes of land in west Texas with beautiful wildlife and amazing opportunities to connect with nature.

Entrance fees are $30 for a private vehicle, $25 for a private motorcycle, and $15 for an individual on foot or bicycle. Permits are required for backcountry camping, fishing, and other special events and activities.

Big Cypress National Preserve – FL

Located in Florida, the Big Cypress National Preserve encompasses 729,000 acres of land, specifically that of the Big Cypress Swamp. It’s home to diverse wildlife and supports the various marine estuaries along the Florida coast.

There isn’t an entrance fee, but there are fees at certain campgrounds and for specific facilities within the preserve. Permits are required in Big Cypress for backcountry camping and off-road vehicle operation.

Bryce Canyon National Park – UT

Home to the highest concentration of hoodoos in the world, Bryce Canyon is located in Southern Utah and has a wide variety of amazing natural rock formations to explore.

There is a fee required to enter Bryce Canyon.

  • $35 for one private, non-commercial vehicle
  • $30 for one private, non-commercial motorcycle,
  • $20 for one individual on foot or bicycle

Permits are required for backcountry camping in Bryce Canyon.

  • Permits cost $10, plus $5 per person
  • Individuals must be over 16 in order to obtain a permit
  • Permits are available at the Visitor Center, you must be present to obtain your permit

Canyonlands National Park – UT

Canyonlands covers a multitude of canyons and rock formations created by the Colorado River and its tributaries in Southern Utah.

There are fees required to enter Canyonlands. For a private vehicle, the fee is $30; for a private motorcycle, the fee is $25; for an individual on foot or bicycle, the fee is $15.

Permits are required for a variety of activities in Canyonlands, primarily in the backcountry.

Capitol Reef National Park – UT

Capitol Reef encompasses a multitude of red-rock wonders: cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges, all located in Southern Utah.

Entrance fees at Capitol Reef are $20 per private vehicle, $15 per private motorcycle, and $10 per individual on foot or bicycle.

Permits are required for:

Crater Lake National Park – OR

The deepest lake in the United States, Crater Lake showcases the beauty of the naturally collapsed peak and lake that formed in the resulting depression in the Cascade Mountains.

Entrance fees for the park differ depending on party size and season:

  • Private vehicle: $30 in summer (May 22 – October 31), $20 in winter (May 21 – November 1)
  • Motorcycle: $25 in the summer, $15 in the winter
  • Individual on foot or bicycle: $15 year-round

Permits are required for backcountry camping.

Denali National Park and Preserve – AK

Denali National Park covers six million acres of land in Alaska, preserving tundra, forest, mountains, and North America’s tallest peak, Denali.

The entrance fee is $15 per person. Permits are required for backpacking and mountaineering.

Dinosaur National Monument – CO, UT

Dinosaur National Monument is a park in Colorado and Utah with preserved dinosaur remains and petroglyphs, as well as a variety of activities created to explore the surrounding mountains, desert, rivers, and canyons.

Fees in Dinosaur differ per party, but all last for seven consecutive days. For one private, non-commercial vehicle, the entrance fee is $25. For a group on one private, non-commercial motorcycle, the fee is $20. For individuals that are walking or biking, the entrance fee is $15.

Permits are required for:

Everglades National Park – FL

The Everglades are the largest subtropical wilderness in the US and provides a home for various endangered species.

The entrance fees, which are good for 7 consecutive days, are as follows:

  • Private vehicle/vessel: $30
  • Motorcycle: $25
  • Individual on foot, bicycle, or paddle-craft: $15

Permits are required for wilderness camping.

Fire Island National Seashore – NY

Fire Island showcases the beautiful coastal wildlife and history.

There isn’t an entrance fee, but there are parking and transportation fees. Permits are required for wilderness and backcountry camping on Fire Island, as well as for oversand vehicle operation and waterfowl hunting.

Glacier National Park – MT

Glacier National Park contains over 700 miles of trails and showcases glaciers, mountains, valleys, and lakes in the Montanan wilderness.

The entrance fee to Glacier is $35 per private vehicle, $30 per private motorcycle, and $20 per individual on foot or bicycle. Permits are required for backcountry camping and boating.

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve – AK

Glacier Bay National Park covers 3.3 million acres and highlights the mountains, glaciers, rainforests, coastlines, and fjords in Alaska’s Inside Passage.

There isn’t an entrance or camping fee in Glacier Bay, but permits are required for:

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area – AZ, UT

Located in Utah and Arizona, Glen Canyon covers 1.2 million acres around Lake Powell and the surrounding area.

Glen Canyon requires an entrance fee for each party that lasts for seven consecutive days following its purchase.

  • Single Vehicle Entrance: $30; covers a single, non-commercial vehicle and its passengers
  • Single Motorcycle Entrance: $25; covers a single, non-commercial motorcycle and its riders
  • Single Individual Entrance: $15; one individual on foot or bicycle
  • Single Boating Entrance: $30; one single private vessel
  • Boating Additional Vehicle Entrance: $30; one single private vessel on the same trailer as a vessel paying full entrance fees

Permits are required for backcountry camping. For backcountry camping in Orange Cliffs, a permit from Canyonlands is required. The Escalante District requires a permit for all overnight stays. Permits from the Bureau of Land Management are required on overnight hikes along the Paria River.

Grand Canyon – AZ

Located in Arizona, the Grand Canyon encompasses one of the greatest examples of the power of erosion on the planet and provides opportunities to explore beautiful vistas and landscapes.

The entrance fee pays for 7 consecutive days and includes both the North and South Rims.

  • $30 per private vehicle
  • $25 per private motorcycle
  • $20 per individual on foot or bicycle.

Permits are required for backcountry camping, overnight hiking, overnight horse backing riding, overnight cross-country ski trips, and off-river overnight hiking by members of a river trip. Permits are also required for non-commercial (private) river trips.

Grand Teton National Park – WY

Encompassing the Teton Range, beautiful lakes, and a wide diversity of wildlife, Grand Teton National Park is located in Wyoming and has over two hundred miles of hiking trails.

There is an entrance fee at Grand Teton National Park that pays for 7 consecutive days: $30 per private vehicle, $25 per private motorcycle, and $20 per individual on foot or bicycle.

Permits are required for backcountry camping and boating.

Great Basin National Park – NV

Located in Nevada, the Great Basin National Park covers everything from mountains, to meadows, to subterranean caves.

There aren’t any entrance fees required, but permits are required for backcountry camping and any caving done in the park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park – NC, TN

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in Southern Appalachian between Tennessee and North Carolina.

There isn’t an entrance fee for the Great Smoky Mountains, but there are activity fees. Campsites can be reserved for $14-$23 depending on the site and pavilions can be reserved at picnic areas for $12.50-$60.

Permits and reservations are required for backcountry camping in the Great Smokies. They can be obtained at the backcountry permit website.

Haleakalā – HI

Located on the island of Maui, Haleakalā National Park encompasses beautiful volcanic landscapes and sub-tropical rainforests that house a variety of wildlife.

Entrance fees for the park are $30 per private vehicle, $25 per private motorcycle, and $15 per individual on foot or bicycle. Permits are required for wilderness/backcountry camping.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park – HI

Found on the “Big Island,” Hawai‘i Volcanoes encompasses two active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, and their surrounding landscapes.

Entrance fees pay for seven consecutive days.

  • $30 per private vehicle
  • $25 per private motorcycle
  • $15 per individual on foot or bicycle

Permits are required for any backcountry camping.

Mount Rainier National Park – WA

Covering the whole mountain and its encompassed rivers, meadows, and forests, Mount Rainier National Park showcases the beauty of alpine landscapes.

The entrance fee for Mount Rainier is:

  • $30 per private vehicle
  • $25 per private motorcycle
  • $15 per individual on foot or bicycle

Permits are required for backcountry camping and climbing above 10,000 feet or on a glacier.

North Cascades National Park – WA

Located in Washington, the North Cascades encompasses mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and glaciers, and offers a variety of different opportunities to explore.

There isn’t an entrance fee for the park, but certain activities and campgrounds will have fees associated with them. Permits are required for overnight stays in the backcountry.

North Country National Scenic Trail – MI, MN, ND, NY, OH, PA, VT, WI

North Country Trail winds through eight different states along the United States’ northern border. It offers a variety of opportunities for hiking and camping along the way.

There isn’t an entrance fee to the North Country Trail, but it crosses through several other parks and nature areas that might require an entrance fee. Expect them in any state parks that are included in the Trail, any National Recreation Areas, and in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (MI).

Certain areas of the Trail require permits when hiking and camping overnight. The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore requires a permit for overnight camping, and the Kekekabic and Border Route both require backcountry camping permits.

Olympic National Park – WA

Located in Washington state, Olympic National Park covers almost a million acres of mountains, rain forests, and wild coastlines.

The entrance fees, valid for seven consecutive days, for the park are as follows:

  • Vehicle: $30; one private, non-commercial vehicle with less than 15 passengers
  • Motorcycle: $25: one private, non-commercial motorcycle
  • Individual: $15: one individual biking, hiking, or walking

Permits are required for any wilderness camping in Olympic National Park, as well as a number of special events and activities.

Redwood National and State Parks – CA

Redwood is home to the tallest trees on earth, but also has rivers, prairies, woodlands, and 40 miles of rugged coastline.

Redwood National Park has no entrance fee. However, it also encompasses several California State Parks that do have entrance fees and day use fees.

All backcountry camps in Redwood required a permit, but luckily it’s free. Permits are also required for other special events and activities.

Rocky Mountain National Park – CO

Rocky Mountain National Park, covering 415 square miles in Colorado, showcases the beauty of the Rockies and the surrounding wilderness.

There is a timed entry permit required from May 27 to October 10, 2022, and a permit is required for all wilderness or backcountry camping.

The entrance fees for Rocky Mountain are as follows:

  • 1-Day Vehicle Entrance: $30
  • 1-Day Individual Entrance: $15
  • 1-Day Motorcycle Entrance: $25
  • 7-Day Vehicle Entrance: $35
  • 7-Day Motorcycle Entrance: $30

Shenandoah National Park- VA

Shenandoah is full of waterfalls, beautiful vistas, and amazing wildlife. It covers 200,000 acres of protected land just west of Washington DC.

There is a fee required to enter the park that lasts for 7 consecutive days. Single vehicles are charged $30, single motorcycles are charged $25, and individuals walking or biking are charged $15. There is a nightly campground fee of $30.

Permits are required for backcountry camping, as well as other special events and activities.

Yellowstone National Park – ID, MT, WY

Yellowstone was the first national park established in the United States and covers 2.2 million acres in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. It has unique hydrothermal and geological features (about half the world’s active geysers), intact ecosystems and their contained wildlife, and amazing natural wonders.

There is an entrance fee for Yellowstone depending on party size that lasts for seven consecutive days. One private, non-commercial vehicle is $35. For non-commercial buses/vans with groups of 16 or more people, the fee is $20 per person. For one private, non-commercial motorcycle or snowmobile, the fee is $30. Individuals on foot, biking, or skiing enter for $20.

Permits are required year-round for backcountry camping in Yellowstone.

  • Winter (December – March): permits are free of charge during the winter and can be obtained through phone or email only. They must be reserved 3-7 days prior to the beginning of the trip.
  • Spring (April 1 – May 14): permits can be obtained by phone or email up to 3 days prior to the beginning of the trip.
  • Peak (May 15 – November 5): permits can be obtained online in advance or in person during the walk-up period. Walk-up permits must be purchased 2 days prior to the beginning of the trip. There is an Early Access Lottery.

Permits are also required for:

Yosemite National Park – CA

Located in California, Yosemite offers amazing opportunities to explore the natural landscape created by ancient glaciers and the waterfalls, valleys, and wilderness they left behind.

There is an entrance fee at Yosemite that is valid for 7-consecutive day use.

  • Private vehicle: $35; one private, non-commercial vehicle with less than 15 passengers.
  • Motorcycle: $30; per motorcycle, not person
  • Individual: $20; on foot, bicycle, or horse

Reservations are required to drive into Yosemite from May 20 through September 30, 2022. A Wilderness Permit is required for overnight hiking, backcountry camping, and hiking Half Dome.

Zion National Park – UT

Zion is located in Southern Utah and is famous for its slot canyons, sandstone cliffs, and beautiful wildlife.

There are fees required to enter Zion that are valid for 7 days.

  • Private vehicle: $35; one private, non-commercial vehicle
  • Motorcycle: $30; one non-commercial motorcycle
  • Individual: $20; one individual with no car, typically biking, hiking, or walking

Backpacking and backcountry camping does require a permit in Zion. Additionally, permits are required for:

John Olsen

John Olsen is a seasoned adventurer with 20 years of writing, public speaking, team leadership, analytics and project management experience.

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