# Get the permit. Skip the surprise closure.

## Short answer

Permit lotteries, reservation windows and closures for the national parks, every Thursday.

## Last verified

Last verified October 15, 2026.

## Cite this page

Parks Ahead, “Get the permit. Skip the surprise closure.”, https://parksahead.com/calendar/, last verified October 15, 2026.

## Free: the 2026–27 Reservations & Lottery Calendar

Angels Landing. Half Dome. Mount Whitney. The Wave. The Enchantments. Havasupai. Haleakalā sunrise. Grand Canyon backcountry. And more.

One printable PDF gives each window, how to apply, and a link to the official page. We checked every date against the official agency page. If a 2027 date isn’t announced yet, we mark it TBA instead of guessing.

Last verified October 15, 2026.

[Download the 2026–27 calendar (PDF)](https://parksahead.com/downloads/parks-ahead-2026-27-calendar.pdf)

## Month by month

### Oct 2026

- Oct 1–20: Zion Angels Landing seasonal lottery (Dec–Feb hikes); permits issued Oct 25 (NPS: Angels Landing permits https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm)
- Oct 1–31: The Wave advanced lottery for Feb 2027 (draw Nov 1) (BLM: Advanced Lottery FAQ https://www.blm.gov/arizona/public-room/fact-sheet/coyote-buttes-north-advanced-lottery-wave-faqs; Recreation.gov: advanced lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309; Recreation.gov: daily lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909)
- Oct 16–Nov 1: Grand Canyon backcountry lottery for Mar 2027 starts (NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ) https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit-questions.htm; NPS: backcountry permits https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm)
- Oct 25: last day of 2026 Acadia Cadillac Summit Road reservations (NPS: vehicle reservations https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/vehicle_reservations.htm; NPS: Drive Cadillac Mountain https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/drive-cadillac-mountain.htm)

### Nov 2026

- Nov 1–30: The Wave for Mar 2027 (BLM: Advanced Lottery FAQ https://www.blm.gov/arizona/public-room/fact-sheet/coyote-buttes-north-advanced-lottery-wave-faqs; Recreation.gov: advanced lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309; Recreation.gov: daily lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909)
- Nov 16–Dec 1: Grand Canyon backcountry for Apr 2027 (NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ) https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit-questions.htm; NPS: backcountry permits https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm)
- Nov 30: last day 2026 Old Rag tickets are required (NPS: Old Rag FAQ https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm)

### Dec 2026

- Dec 1–31: The Wave for Apr 2027 (BLM: Advanced Lottery FAQ https://www.blm.gov/arizona/public-room/fact-sheet/coyote-buttes-north-advanced-lottery-wave-faqs; Recreation.gov: advanced lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309; Recreation.gov: daily lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909)
- Dec 16–Jan 1: Grand Canyon backcountry for May 2027 (NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ) https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit-questions.htm; NPS: backcountry permits https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm)

### Jan 2027

- Jan 1–20: Zion Angels Landing seasonal lottery (Mar 1–May 31 hikes); permits issued Jan 25 (NPS: Angels Landing permits https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm)
- Jan 1–31: The Wave for May (BLM: Advanced Lottery FAQ https://www.blm.gov/arizona/public-room/fact-sheet/coyote-buttes-north-advanced-lottery-wave-faqs; Recreation.gov: advanced lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309; Recreation.gov: daily lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909)
- Jan 16–Feb 1: Grand Canyon backcountry for Jun (NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ) https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit-questions.htm; NPS: backcountry permits https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm)
- January: USFS says 2027 Enchantments lottery dates will be posted on Recreation.gov (USFS: Enchantments overnight permits https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/recreation/enchantments-overnight-permits; Recreation.gov: advanced lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233273)

### Feb 2027

- Feb 1–Mar 1: Mount Whitney lottery (USFS Inyo: Mount Whitney https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/wilderness/mount-whitney)
- Havasupai 2027 on-sale: TBA (2026's was Feb 1, 8 a.m. Arizona time) (Official Havasupai Tribe site https://theofficialhavasupaitribe.com/; Havasupai Reservations https://www.havasupaireservations.com/; Havasupai Reservations: terms https://havasupaireservations.com/terms-conditions/)
- First week of Feb: Old Rag day-use tickets become available (NPS: Old Rag FAQ https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm)
- ~Feb 15–Mar 1: Enchantments advanced lottery (exact 2027 dates TBA) (USFS: Enchantments overnight permits https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/recreation/enchantments-overnight-permits; Recreation.gov: advanced lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233273)
- Feb 1–28: The Wave for Jun (BLM: Advanced Lottery FAQ https://www.blm.gov/arizona/public-room/fact-sheet/coyote-buttes-north-advanced-lottery-wave-faqs; Recreation.gov: advanced lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309; Recreation.gov: daily lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909)
- Feb 16–Mar 1: Grand Canyon backcountry for Jul (NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ) https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit-questions.htm; NPS: backcountry permits https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm)

### Mar 2027

- Mar 1–31: Half Dome preseason lottery (NPS: Half Dome permits https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm)
- Mar 1: Old Rag ticket season begins (NPS: Old Rag FAQ https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm)
- Mar 15: Mount Whitney results; Enchantments results around Mar 15 (USFS Inyo: Mount Whitney https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/wilderness/mount-whitney; USFS: Enchantments overnight permits https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/recreation/enchantments-overnight-permits; Recreation.gov: advanced lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233273)
- Mar 1–31: The Wave for Jul (BLM: Advanced Lottery FAQ https://www.blm.gov/arizona/public-room/fact-sheet/coyote-buttes-north-advanced-lottery-wave-faqs; Recreation.gov: advanced lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309; Recreation.gov: daily lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909)
- Mar 16–Apr 1: Grand Canyon backcountry for Aug (NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ) https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit-questions.htm; NPS: backcountry permits https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm)

### Apr 2027

- Apr 1–20: Zion Angels Landing seasonal lottery (Jun–Aug hikes); permits issued Apr 25 (NPS: Angels Landing permits https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm)
- Mid-April: Half Dome results (NPS: Half Dome permits https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm)
- Apr 21: Whitney claim deadline · Apr 22, 7 a.m. PT: leftover Whitney dates open (USFS Inyo: Mount Whitney https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/wilderness/mount-whitney)
- Apr 1–30: The Wave for Aug (BLM: Advanced Lottery FAQ https://www.blm.gov/arizona/public-room/fact-sheet/coyote-buttes-north-advanced-lottery-wave-faqs; Recreation.gov: advanced lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309; Recreation.gov: daily lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909)

### May 2027

- Rocky Mountain timed entry and Acadia Cadillac reservations: 2027 TBA (in 2026, RMNP's first release was May 1 at 8 a.m. MDT; Acadia's season began May 20) (NPS: timed entry https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm; NPS: vehicle reservations https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/vehicle_reservations.htm; NPS: Drive Cadillac Mountain https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/drive-cadillac-mountain.htm)
- May 1: Whitney quota season begins · May 15: Enchantments overnight permit season and daily lottery begin (USFS Inyo: Mount Whitney https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/wilderness/mount-whitney; USFS: Enchantments overnight permits https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/recreation/enchantments-overnight-permits; Recreation.gov: advanced lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233273)

## Rolling windows

- Haleakalā sunrise: 60 days out, 7 a.m. HST; part released 48 h ahead (NPS: sunrise reservations https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/sunrise.htm; NPS: sunrise reservations FAQ https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/haleakala-sunrise-reservations-faq.htm)
- Yosemite wilderness (trips May–Oct): lottery 24 weeks out; 40% released 7 days out (NPS: wilderness permit reservations https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wpres.htm)
- Zion Angels Landing day-before lottery: daily, 12:01 a.m.–3 p.m. MT (NPS: Angels Landing permits https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm)
- The Wave daily lottery: 2 days ahead, 6 a.m.–6 p.m., inside the geofence (mobile only) (BLM: Advanced Lottery FAQ https://www.blm.gov/arizona/public-room/fact-sheet/coyote-buttes-north-advanced-lottery-wave-faqs; Recreation.gov: advanced lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309; Recreation.gov: daily lottery https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909)
- Half Dome daily lottery (in season): 2 days ahead, midnight–4 p.m. PT (NPS: Half Dome permits https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm)
- Old Rag (Mar–Nov): 30 days and 5 days ahead (NPS: Old Rag FAQ https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm)
- Arches Fiery Furnace: 2–7 days ahead (NPS: Fiery Furnace permits https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/fiery-furnace-permit.htm)

## Permits

### Angels Landing

Zion NP, UT. Lottery (seasonal + day-before). PATTERN. Published recurring schedule.

Seasonal lottery, 8 a.m. MT on the 1st to 11:59 p.m. MT on the 20th: Oct 1–20 for Dec 1–Feb 28 hikes (permits issued Oct 25) · Jan 1–20 for Mar 1–May 31 (issued Jan 25) · Apr 1–20 for Jun 1–Aug 31 (issued Apr 25) · Jul 1–20 for Sep 1–Nov 30 (issued Jul 25). Day-before lottery: daily, 12:01 a.m.–3 p.m. MT; results at 4 p.m.

Recreation.gov. Rank up to 7 dates/times. $6 application (up to 6 people) + $3/person permit fee if selected.

- NPS: Angels Landing permits: https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm

https://parksahead.com/permits/angels-landing/

### Grand Canyon backcountry (overnight)

Grand Canyon NP, AZ. Early-access lottery, monthly. PATTERN. Published recurring schedule.

Apply the 16th to the 1st (5 p.m. MST), about 4 months before your start month. For Mar 2027: Oct 16–Nov 1 · Apr: Nov 16–Dec 1 · May: Dec 16–Jan 1 · Jun: Jan 16–Feb 1 · Jul: Feb 16–Mar 1 · Aug: Mar 16–Apr 1. Remaining permits open to the public on the 1st, about 3 months out, at 8 a.m. MST.

Recreation.gov (permit 4675337). $10 per application/permit + $15/person/night below rim ($4 above rim). Inner-canyon corridor closures were in effect as of Oct 15, 2026.

- NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ): https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit-questions.htm
- NPS: backcountry permits: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm

https://parksahead.com/permits/grand-canyon-backcountry/

### The Wave (Coyote Buttes North)

BLM Vermilion Cliffs, AZ/UT. Advanced lottery (monthly) + daily geofenced lottery. PATTERN. Published recurring schedule.

Apply any time during a month for the month four months ahead: Oct → Feb 2027 · Nov → Mar · Dec → Apr · Jan → May · Feb → Jun · Mar → Jul. Draw at 9 a.m. MT on the 1st of the next month. Daily lottery: apply 6 a.m.–6 p.m. two days before, from a mobile device inside the geofence.

Recreation.gov (advanced 274309; daily 4251909). $6 application; $7/person (and per dog) if selected. Up to 3 dates per application; one application per person per lottery.

- BLM: Advanced Lottery FAQ: https://www.blm.gov/arizona/public-room/fact-sheet/coyote-buttes-north-advanced-lottery-wave-faqs
- Recreation.gov: advanced lottery: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309
- Recreation.gov: daily lottery: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909

https://parksahead.com/permits/the-wave/

### Mount Whitney

Inyo NF, CA. Annual lottery. PATTERN. Published recurring schedule.

Feb 1–Mar 1 apply · Mar 15 results · Apr 21 claim and pay deadline (9 p.m. PT) · Apr 22, 7 a.m. PT leftover dates open first come, first served. Quota season May 1–Nov 1.

Recreation.gov (permit 445860). $15/person to claim. One application per group/household.

- USFS Inyo: Mount Whitney: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/wilderness/mount-whitney

https://parksahead.com/permits/mount-whitney/

### Enchantments (overnight)

Okanogan-Wenatchee NF, WA. Annual advanced lottery + daily lottery. TBA. 2027 TBA.

Advanced lottery is held Feb 15 through Mar 1 each year, per USFS. Exact 2027 dates are TBA: USFS says to check the Recreation.gov lottery page in January. Results post around Mar 15. Overnight permits are required May 15–Oct 31; the daily geofenced lottery runs during that season.

Recreation.gov (233273). $6 application; $5/person/day. One permit per person per season.

- USFS: Enchantments overnight permits: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/recreation/enchantments-overnight-permits
- Recreation.gov: advanced lottery: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233273

https://parksahead.com/permits/enchantments/

### Half Dome (day hike)

Yosemite NP, CA. Preseason lottery + daily lottery. PATTERN. Published recurring schedule.

Preseason lottery Mar 1–31 (Eastern time); results mid-April. Daily lottery during the hiking season: apply two days before, midnight–4 p.m. PT; results that night.

Recreation.gov or 877-444-6777. Up to 6 permits per application. 225 day-hiker permits/day in the preseason lottery. $10 per application; $10 per person if you receive a permit. Backpackers get Half Dome with their wilderness permit instead.

- NPS: Half Dome permits: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm

https://parksahead.com/permits/half-dome/

### Yosemite wilderness permits

Yosemite NP, CA. Rolling lottery (24 weeks) + 1-week release. CONFIRMED. Confirmed rule.

60% by lottery 24 weeks before start date; leftovers first come, first served from about 22 weeks out; 40% released 7 days ahead.

Recreation.gov. $10 processing fee per application, plus $5 per person if you receive a permit (both non-refundable). Reservations are only available for trips May through October; permits are required all year.

- NPS: wilderness permit reservations: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wpres.htm

https://parksahead.com/permits/yosemite-wilderness/

### Haleakalā sunrise

Haleakalā NP, HI. Reservation (rolling). CONFIRMED. Confirmed rule.

Up to 60 days ahead, released at 7 a.m. HST. A portion released 2 days (48 h) ahead. One reservation per three-day period.

Recreation.gov. $1.00 per vehicle, in addition to the park entrance fee. Bring valid ID and confirmation.

- NPS: sunrise reservations: https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/sunrise.htm
- NPS: sunrise reservations FAQ: https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/haleakala-sunrise-reservations-faq.htm

https://parksahead.com/permits/haleakala-sunrise/

### Rocky Mountain timed entry

Rocky Mountain NP, CO. Timed-entry reservation (seasonal). TBA. 2027 TBA.

2027: TBA. In 2026: timed entry 9 a.m.–2 p.m. from May 22 to Oct 12; Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road 5 a.m.–6 p.m. from May 22 to Oct 18. Released monthly on the 1st at 8 a.m. MDT, starting May 1 for May 22–Jun 30.

Recreation.gov. Entering before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. needs no timed-entry reservation (2026 rules).

- NPS: timed entry: https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm

### Cadillac Summit Road

Acadia NP, ME. Vehicle reservation (seasonal). TBA. 2027 TBA.

2027: TBA. In 2026: required May 20–Oct 25. 30% released 90 days ahead, 70% two days ahead, both at 10 a.m. ET. Sunrise and daytime slots.

Recreation.gov. $6 per vehicle, plus a park entrance pass. Not sold at the park.

- NPS: vehicle reservations: https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/vehicle_reservations.htm
- NPS: Drive Cadillac Mountain: https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/drive-cadillac-mountain.htm

### Old Rag Mountain day-use ticket

Shenandoah NP, VA. Day-use ticket (seasonal). PATTERN. Published recurring schedule.

Required Mar 1–Nov 30. Tickets become available the first week of February. 400/day released 30 days ahead + 400/day released 5 days ahead.

Recreation.gov. $2 per ticket plus park entrance fee. Main trailhead lot closed for work expected to finish Nov 2026.

- NPS: Old Rag FAQ: https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm

https://parksahead.com/permits/old-rag/

### Fiery Furnace (self-guided)

Arches NP, UT. Permit (rolling). CONFIRMED. Confirmed rule.

Reserve 2 to 7 days ahead. Pick up at Arches Visitor Center the day before or day of the hike.

Recreation.gov or 877-444-6777. $10/person. Max group of 6; no children under 5.

- NPS: Fiery Furnace permits: https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/fiery-furnace-permit.htm

### Havasupai (Havasu Falls)

Havasupai Indian Reservation, AZ. Tribal reservation (annual on-sale). TBA. 2027 TBA.

2027 on-sale date: TBA. The 2026 regular on-sale was Feb 1, 2026, 8 a.m. Arizona time.

Only at havasupaireservations.com. 2026 prices: $455/person campground (3 nights); $2,277 lodge (3 nights, up to 4 people). Resale and transfer prohibited.

- Official Havasupai Tribe site: https://theofficialhavasupaitribe.com/
- Havasupai Reservations: https://www.havasupaireservations.com/
- Havasupai Reservations: terms: https://havasupaireservations.com/terms-conditions/

https://parksahead.com/permits/havasupai/

## No entry reservations in 2026

- Yosemite NP: No entry reservations in 2026, including the Feb–Mar firefall period. 2027: TBA. (https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm)
- Glacier NP: No vehicle reservations in 2026. A ticketed Logan Pass shuttle was piloted (tickets 60 days ahead from May 2; next-day tickets at 7 p.m. MDT) and ended Sept 7, 2026. 2027: TBA. (https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/vehicle-reservations2026.htm)
- Arches NP: No timed-entry reservations in 2026; Fiery Furnace permits still required (above). 2027: TBA. (https://www.nps.gov/arch/learn/news/news02182026.htm)
- Mount Rainier NP: No timed-entry reservations for any part of the park in 2026. 2027: TBA. (https://www.nps.gov/mora/learn/news/mount-rainier-national-park-will-not-require-timed-entry-reservations-in-2026.htm)
- NPS overview: Summer 2026 access plans for Arches, Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Yosemite. (https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/national-park-service-expands-access-for-summer-2026-while-maintaining-safety-at-high-visitation-parks.htm)

## What’s in every issue

- What changed this week. New closures, construction delays and safety alerts at the most-visited parks.
- What opens next. Lottery, permit and timed-entry windows, before they close.
- Weather watch. National Weather Service warnings and forecasts for park areas.
- One trip brief. A park that’s in season now, with campgrounds, hikes and current alerts.

## Why you can trust it

- Official sources, linked. We use NPS, NWS, Recreation.gov, USDA Forest Service and BLM, and every fact carries its link.
- No guessing. If something isn’t confirmed, we leave it out or mark it TBA.
- Reviewed by a person. We gather the data with automated tools, and a human reviews every issue before it’s sent.
- Upfront about money. The newsletter is free. Some of our links may earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Parks Ahead. It truly helps us keep this guide free! Nobody pays us to change what we report.

## FAQ

### Is it really free?

Yes. Some of our links may earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Parks Ahead. It truly helps us keep this guide free!

### How often?

Once a week, on Thursday.

### Are you the National Park Service, or affiliated with it?

No. Parks Ahead is independent and isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, BLM, Recreation.gov or any other agency. Always confirm on the official page we link before you apply or travel.

### Can you get me a permit?

No. We point you to the official channel, usually Recreation.gov. We never sell, resell or “guarantee” permits or reservations.

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With love, the Parks Ahead team