{
  "schema_version": "public-1",
  "license": {
    "name": "Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International",
    "spdx": "CC-BY-4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
    "scope": "This JSON file only. Site prose is all rights reserved."
  },
  "dateModified": "2026-10-15",
  "verified_label": "October 15, 2026",
  "disclosure": "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!",
  "non_endorsement": "Parks Ahead is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Recreation.gov, the Havasupai Tribe or any agency.",
  "status_labels": {
    "CONFIRMED": "Confirmed rule",
    "PATTERN": "Published recurring schedule",
    "TBA": "2027 TBA"
  },
  "items": [
    {
      "text": "Oct 1–20: Zion Angels Landing seasonal lottery (Dec–Feb hikes); permits issued Oct 25",
      "month": "Oct 2026",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: Angels Landing permits",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Oct 1–31: The Wave advanced lottery for Feb 2027 (draw Nov 1)",
      "month": "Oct 2026",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "BLM: Advanced Lottery FAQ",
          "url": "https://www.blm.gov/arizona/public-room/fact-sheet/coyote-buttes-north-advanced-lottery-wave-faqs"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: advanced lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: daily lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Oct 16–Nov 1: Grand Canyon backcountry lottery for Mar 2027 starts",
      "month": "Oct 2026",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ)",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit-questions.htm"
        },
        {
          "label": "NPS: backcountry permits",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Oct 25: last day of 2026 Acadia Cadillac Summit Road reservations",
      "month": "Oct 2026",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: vehicle reservations",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/vehicle_reservations.htm"
        },
        {
          "label": "NPS: Drive Cadillac Mountain",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/drive-cadillac-mountain.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Nov 1–30: The Wave for Mar 2027",
      "month": "Nov 2026",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "BLM: Advanced Lottery FAQ",
          "url": "https://www.blm.gov/arizona/public-room/fact-sheet/coyote-buttes-north-advanced-lottery-wave-faqs"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: advanced lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: daily lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Nov 16–Dec 1: Grand Canyon backcountry for Apr 2027",
      "month": "Nov 2026",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ)",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit-questions.htm"
        },
        {
          "label": "NPS: backcountry permits",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Nov 30: last day 2026 Old Rag tickets are required",
      "month": "Nov 2026",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: Old Rag FAQ",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Dec 1–31: The Wave for Apr 2027",
      "month": "Dec 2026",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "BLM: Advanced Lottery FAQ",
          "url": "https://www.blm.gov/arizona/public-room/fact-sheet/coyote-buttes-north-advanced-lottery-wave-faqs"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: advanced lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: daily lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Dec 16–Jan 1: Grand Canyon backcountry for May 2027",
      "month": "Dec 2026",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ)",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit-questions.htm"
        },
        {
          "label": "NPS: backcountry permits",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Jan 1–20: Zion Angels Landing seasonal lottery (Mar 1–May 31 hikes); permits issued Jan 25",
      "month": "Jan 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: Angels Landing permits",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Jan 1–31: The Wave for May",
      "month": "Jan 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "BLM: Advanced Lottery FAQ",
          "url": "https://www.blm.gov/arizona/public-room/fact-sheet/coyote-buttes-north-advanced-lottery-wave-faqs"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: advanced lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: daily lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Jan 16–Feb 1: Grand Canyon backcountry for Jun",
      "month": "Jan 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ)",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit-questions.htm"
        },
        {
          "label": "NPS: backcountry permits",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "January: USFS says 2027 Enchantments lottery dates will be posted on Recreation.gov",
      "month": "Jan 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "USFS: Enchantments overnight permits",
          "url": "https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/recreation/enchantments-overnight-permits"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: advanced lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233273"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Feb 1–Mar 1: Mount Whitney lottery",
      "month": "Feb 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "USFS Inyo: Mount Whitney",
          "url": "https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/wilderness/mount-whitney"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Havasupai 2027 on-sale: TBA (2026's was Feb 1, 8 a.m. Arizona time)",
      "month": "Feb 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "Official Havasupai Tribe site",
          "url": "https://theofficialhavasupaitribe.com/"
        },
        {
          "label": "Havasupai Reservations",
          "url": "https://www.havasupaireservations.com/"
        },
        {
          "label": "Havasupai Reservations: terms",
          "url": "https://havasupaireservations.com/terms-conditions/"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "First week of Feb: Old Rag day-use tickets become available",
      "month": "Feb 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: Old Rag FAQ",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "~Feb 15–Mar 1: Enchantments advanced lottery (exact 2027 dates TBA)",
      "month": "Feb 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "USFS: Enchantments overnight permits",
          "url": "https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/recreation/enchantments-overnight-permits"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: advanced lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233273"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Feb 1–28: The Wave for Jun",
      "month": "Feb 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "BLM: Advanced Lottery FAQ",
          "url": "https://www.blm.gov/arizona/public-room/fact-sheet/coyote-buttes-north-advanced-lottery-wave-faqs"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: advanced lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: daily lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Feb 16–Mar 1: Grand Canyon backcountry for Jul",
      "month": "Feb 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ)",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit-questions.htm"
        },
        {
          "label": "NPS: backcountry permits",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Mar 1–31: Half Dome preseason lottery",
      "month": "Mar 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: Half Dome permits",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Mar 1: Old Rag ticket season begins",
      "month": "Mar 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: Old Rag FAQ",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Mar 15: Mount Whitney results; Enchantments results around Mar 15",
      "month": "Mar 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "USFS Inyo: Mount Whitney",
          "url": "https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/wilderness/mount-whitney"
        },
        {
          "label": "USFS: Enchantments overnight permits",
          "url": "https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/recreation/enchantments-overnight-permits"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: advanced lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233273"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Mar 1–31: The Wave for Jul",
      "month": "Mar 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "BLM: Advanced Lottery FAQ",
          "url": "https://www.blm.gov/arizona/public-room/fact-sheet/coyote-buttes-north-advanced-lottery-wave-faqs"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: advanced lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: daily lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Mar 16–Apr 1: Grand Canyon backcountry for Aug",
      "month": "Mar 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ)",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit-questions.htm"
        },
        {
          "label": "NPS: backcountry permits",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Apr 1–20: Zion Angels Landing seasonal lottery (Jun–Aug hikes); permits issued Apr 25",
      "month": "Apr 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: Angels Landing permits",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Mid-April: Half Dome results",
      "month": "Apr 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: Half Dome permits",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Apr 21: Whitney claim deadline · Apr 22, 7 a.m. PT: leftover Whitney dates open",
      "month": "Apr 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "USFS Inyo: Mount Whitney",
          "url": "https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/wilderness/mount-whitney"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Apr 1–30: The Wave for Aug",
      "month": "Apr 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "BLM: Advanced Lottery FAQ",
          "url": "https://www.blm.gov/arizona/public-room/fact-sheet/coyote-buttes-north-advanced-lottery-wave-faqs"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: advanced lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: daily lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "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)",
      "month": "May 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: timed entry",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm"
        },
        {
          "label": "NPS: vehicle reservations",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/vehicle_reservations.htm"
        },
        {
          "label": "NPS: Drive Cadillac Mountain",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/drive-cadillac-mountain.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "May 1: Whitney quota season begins · May 15: Enchantments overnight permit season and daily lottery begin",
      "month": "May 2027",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "USFS Inyo: Mount Whitney",
          "url": "https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/wilderness/mount-whitney"
        },
        {
          "label": "USFS: Enchantments overnight permits",
          "url": "https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/recreation/enchantments-overnight-permits"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: advanced lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233273"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Haleakalā sunrise: 60 days out, 7 a.m. HST; part released 48 h ahead",
      "month": "Rolling",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: sunrise reservations",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/sunrise.htm"
        },
        {
          "label": "NPS: sunrise reservations FAQ",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/haleakala-sunrise-reservations-faq.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Yosemite wilderness (trips May–Oct): lottery 24 weeks out; 40% released 7 days out",
      "month": "Rolling",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: wilderness permit reservations",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wpres.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Zion Angels Landing day-before lottery: daily, 12:01 a.m.–3 p.m. MT",
      "month": "Rolling",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: Angels Landing permits",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "The Wave daily lottery: 2 days ahead, 6 a.m.–6 p.m., inside the geofence (mobile only)",
      "month": "Rolling",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "BLM: Advanced Lottery FAQ",
          "url": "https://www.blm.gov/arizona/public-room/fact-sheet/coyote-buttes-north-advanced-lottery-wave-faqs"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: advanced lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309"
        },
        {
          "label": "Recreation.gov: daily lottery",
          "url": "https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Half Dome daily lottery (in season): 2 days ahead, midnight–4 p.m. PT",
      "month": "Rolling",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: Half Dome permits",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Old Rag (Mar–Nov): 30 days and 5 days ahead",
      "month": "Rolling",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: Old Rag FAQ",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Arches Fiery Furnace: 2–7 days ahead",
      "month": "Rolling",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS: Fiery Furnace permits",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/fiery-furnace-permit.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Yosemite NP: No entry reservations in 2026, including the Feb–Mar firefall period. 2027: TBA.",
      "month": "No entry reservation in 2026",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "Yosemite NP",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "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.",
      "month": "No entry reservation in 2026",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "Glacier NP",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/vehicle-reservations2026.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Arches NP: No timed-entry reservations in 2026; Fiery Furnace permits still required (above). 2027: TBA.",
      "month": "No entry reservation in 2026",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "Arches NP",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/arch/learn/news/news02182026.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Mount Rainier NP: No timed-entry reservations for any part of the park in 2026. 2027: TBA.",
      "month": "No entry reservation in 2026",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "Mount Rainier NP",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/mora/learn/news/mount-rainier-national-park-will-not-require-timed-entry-reservations-in-2026.htm"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "NPS overview: Summer 2026 access plans for Arches, Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Yosemite.",
      "month": "No entry reservation in 2026",
      "verified_on": "2026-10-15",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "NPS overview",
          "url": "https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/national-park-service-expands-access-for-summer-2026-while-maintaining-safety-at-high-visitation-parks.htm"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}