Grand Canyon backcountry permits: dates & how to apply

Last verified October 15, 2026.

Sunrise at Hopi Point in Grand Canyon National Park.

Before you apply

Keep the group small if you can. NPS says more permits go to small groups (1–6 people) than to large groups (7–11), because there are only a few large-group sites (NPS: Backcountry Permit, updated Sep 8, 2026).
Each person can apply. Each person can submit one lottery application through their own Recreation.gov profile, and get at most one permit, per lottery (NPS: Backcountry Permit FAQ).
Name your Alternate Permit Holder at the start. You can only add one when you first create the reservation, and it can't be changed after charges are paid. The permit is void if the trip leader isn't with the group (NPS FAQ).
A failed lottery entry doesn't help next time. NPS says applicants "are not given priority access or extra chances in subsequent lotteries" (NPS FAQ).

Common mistakes

Forgetting to print. You must carry a paper copy. Permits can be printed one month before the start date. Permits not printed by 3 days before are automatically cancelled, and once printed they can't be refunded (NPS FAQ).
Putting two permits in one campground. Two reservations for the same campground on the same night "voids both permits" (NPS FAQ; NPS: Backcountry Permit).
Overstaying. Camping in designated campsites or campgrounds is limited to two nights per site per hike (NPS).
Missing the refund cutoff. The lottery/basic charge is non-refundable. The per-person nightly charge is refundable until 30 days before your start date (NPS).

What changed this year

NPS says that "due to impacts from the August 2026 flash flood," last-minute walk-up permits for Havasupai Gardens aren't guaranteed (NPS: Backcountry Permit, updated Sep 8, 2026). The current closures are in the dated note on this page.
Other rule changes: TBA. Check NPS: Backcountry Permit.

Tips

Check Key Hiking Messages before you hike. It's where NPS posts trail status, water, heat risk and weather for the backcountry (NPS: Summer Hiking; Key Hiking Messages).
Carry a way to treat water. NPS says corridor water statuses "can change suddenly due to breaks in the waterline," and that hikers should always carry water treatment (NPS: Key Hiking Messages).
Stay off the trail between 10 am and 4 pm in summer. NPS urges caution from May through September. It says most people who need emergency help for heat illness are hiking between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (NPS: Summer Hiking).
Bring a real light. "Don't rely on your cell phone as a light source!" Carry a flashlight and spare batteries (NPS: Summer Hiking).
Plan on self-rescue. NPS says that in the inner canyon, "self-rescue is required, as immediate assistance may not be available" (NPS: Summer Hiking).
Follow the basics. Don't hike alone, know where water is, get the forecast, don't overestimate your abilities, and never shortcut switchbacks (NPS: Hiking Tips).
Display your permit at camp. Once camp is set up, attach the permit to a pack, tent or other gear in plain view (NPS).
Questions? The permit page links a way to "Email the Backcountry Information Center" (NPS: Backcountry Permit).

Key dates

Early Access Lottery

October 16, 2026–November 1, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (MST) start/hike month Mar 2027 (NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ))

Applicants notified of results: November 2, 2026 (NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ))

PATTERN. Published recurring schedule

Where to apply

Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Permits: Check current availability on Recreation.gov.

No availability data. Recreation.gov's public RIDB data has none, and we don't scrape it. Pages link each facility's booking page for current availability.

How it works

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)) (NPS: backcountry permits)

Fees

Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Permits

Fees (as of October 15, 2026):

“$10 per permit or lottery application plus a nightly charge of $15 per person for all below rim areas and $4 per person for all above rim areas. The lottery/basic permit charge is non-refundable.” (NPS: backcountry permits)
“Permit holders will be responsible for paying park entrance fees upon arrival.” (NPS: backcountry permits)

Timeline

Oct 2026: Oct 16–Nov 1: Grand Canyon backcountry lottery for Mar 2027 starts (NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ)) (NPS: backcountry permits)
Nov 2026: Nov 16–Dec 1: Grand Canyon backcountry for Apr 2027 (NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ)) (NPS: backcountry permits)
Dec 2026: Dec 16–Jan 1: Grand Canyon backcountry for May 2027 (NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ)) (NPS: backcountry permits)
Jan 2027: Jan 16–Feb 1: Grand Canyon backcountry for Jun (NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ)) (NPS: backcountry permits)
Feb 2027: Feb 16–Mar 1: Grand Canyon backcountry for Jul (NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ)) (NPS: backcountry permits)
Mar 2027: Mar 16–Apr 1: Grand Canyon backcountry for Aug (NPS: lottery schedule (FAQ)) (NPS: backcountry permits)

On Recreation.gov

Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Permits (Permit): Recreation.gov listing for Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Permits

Data Source: Recreation.gov

Conditions

October 15, 2026: As of Oct 15, 2026, NPS lists inner-canyon closures after flash flooding, including the entire North Kaibab Trail, Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground, and the South Kaibab Trail below Tip-Off Point, with no estimated reopening. NPS also lists inner-canyon water as turned off. (NPS: Key Hiking Messages (critical updates and closures))

Check current conditions: NPS: Key Hiking Messages (critical updates and closures)

Weather: NWS forecast: South Rim (Grand Canyon Village)

Official sources

Related permits

Mentioned in

No published issue mentions this permit yet.

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Data Source: Recreation.gov