How to Get a National Forest Camping Permit

The most common mistake people make when planning a national forest camping trip is assuming they need a permit. In most cases, you don't. The national forest system is built around dispersed camping, meaning you can set up camp almost anywhere on national forest land for free. No reservation, no ranger station check-in, no fee.

That said, there are real situations where permits are required, and the rules vary significantly by forest, wilderness area, and even season. Here's how the system actually works.

Dispersed Camping: Free and No Permit Required

Dispersed camping is camping outside of a designated campground, anywhere on national forest land that is open to camping. It's free on virtually all national forest land, and no permit is needed.

The rules that do apply everywhere:

• Stay limit: 14 days maximum in any one location within a given season. After 14 days, you must move at least 5 miles.
• Distance: camp at least 200 feet from any water source (lakes, streams, rivers), 200 feet from the edge of any trail, and 200 feet from any road.
• Waste: pack out everything you bring in. Human waste must be buried in a cat hole 6-8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water. (See the full Leave No Trace principles for details.)
• Fire: follow current fire restrictions for the specific forest. This changes seasonally.

To find out if dispersed camping is allowed in a specific area, check the ranger district page for that forest at fs.usda.gov. Some areas are closed to dispersed camping due to resource damage, bear activity, or watershed protection. These closures are posted at trailheads and on ranger district websites.

Designated Campground Reservations

If you want a developed campsite with facilities (pit toilet, bear box, picnic table, fire ring), you're looking at a designated campground. Most of these book through Recreation.gov, the federal reservation system. This also applies to popular forests near major cities like the White River National Forest near Denver and the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest near Salt Lake City, where developed campgrounds book up months ahead.

Campground fees on national forest land typically run $10-$30 per night depending on the forest, region, and site amenities. Reservations open on a rolling 6-month window for most sites. Popular campgrounds in the Pacific Northwest (like those in Mt. Hood National Forest and Deschutes National Forest) and the Sierra Nevada (like those in Inyo National Forest) fill quickly, often within hours of the reservation window opening.

Some campgrounds are still managed directly by the ranger district and don't appear on Recreation.gov. In those cases, you'll find reservation info on the forest's own website or by calling the ranger district directly.

Wilderness Permits and Quotas

Certain wilderness areas within national forests have overnight permit quotas. These exist because some areas were getting hammered. The permit system controls daily entries to protect the wilderness character and the ecosystem. Note that many of the same wilderness areas that require overnight permits also require bear canisters for food storage.

A few real examples:

• Desolation Wilderness (Eldorado NF, CA): $10 per person per trip. Reservable online through Recreation.gov. Self-issue permits are available outside quota season.
• Mt. Whitney Zone (Inyo NF, CA): $15 per person. Oversnow permit required May 1 through November 1. This is one of the most competitive permit lotteries in the country.
• Enchantments (Okanogan-Wenatchee NF, WA): Lottery-based. No walk-up permits. The lottery opens in February each year through Recreation.gov, with results announced in March. Overnight permits for the core zone are extremely competitive.

Not all wilderness permits cost money. In some forests, a free self-issue permit at the trailhead is all that's required. Check the specific wilderness area.

Lottery Systems: Plan Way Ahead

For the most competitive quotas, a lottery is the only path in. The Enchantments lottery mentioned above is a good example. Mt. Whitney also uses a lottery for the early season. These lotteries typically open in late winter (February or March) for the upcoming summer season.

If you miss the lottery, some systems release cancelled permits closer to the trip date. For Mt. Whitney, Recreation.gov releases a small number of cancelled permits starting around 6 months before the travel date, and then again at the 2-week mark. Set a calendar reminder and check regularly.

California Campfire Permits: Free but Required

If you're camping anywhere in California, including on national forest land, and you plan to have an open flame of any kind (campfire, camp stove, candle), California requires a free California Campfire Permit during fire season. This applies even on your private dispersed camping site.

The permit is free. Get it online at readyforwildfire.org or at any USFS office in California. You must carry it with you. Rangers do check. During periods of elevated fire danger, all fires may be prohibited regardless of permit status.

Day-Use Passes: Northwest Forest Pass and Others

The Northwest Forest Pass covers trailhead parking at most Forest Service sites in Washington and Oregon. It costs $30 per year or $5 per day. This is a parking fee, not a camping permit, but you'll need it if you're leaving a vehicle at a trailhead.

The America the Beautiful Pass covers entrance fees and day-use fees at federal recreation sites. It can substitute for the Northwest Forest Pass at most locations.

Outside the Pacific Northwest, day-use fees are less common on national forest land, though some individual forests and high-use areas have implemented them. Check the specific forest website before your trip.

America the Beautiful Pass: What It Covers and What It Doesn't

The America the Beautiful Pass covers entrance fees and day-use fees, including trailhead parking where a fee applies. It does not cover campground fees at most campgrounds. It also does not cover wilderness quota permit fees.

For veterans and active military: the pass is free. See our guide to the America the Beautiful Pass for veterans for details on how to get one.

Where to Find Accurate Permit Information

Start at fs.usda.gov. From there, find the specific national forest, then the specific ranger district. Permit rules, quotas, and fire restrictions are managed at the ranger district level, not the forest level. Two different ranger districts within the same national forest can have very different rules.

Recreation.gov handles reservations for campgrounds and most wilderness permits that are quota-based.

The key thing to remember: regulations change. Fire restrictions shift seasonally. Wilderness quotas get adjusted year to year. Always check the ranger district website before your trip, not just the first time you research it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I apply for a wilderness permit?

It depends on the area. For lottery-based systems like the Enchantments in Washington, the lottery opens in February for the entire summer season, so you need to apply months ahead. For quota permits on Recreation.gov (like Desolation Wilderness), the 6-month rolling reservation window is when popular dates go fast. For less-visited wilderness areas with self-issue permits, you can often show up the day of your trip and fill out a permit at the trailhead.

What happens if I miss the permit window for a popular wilderness area?

Check for cancelled permits closer to your travel date. Recreation.gov releases cancellations on a rolling basis, and some systems (like Mt. Whitney) release a batch of permits at the 2-week mark before the travel date. It's also worth calling the ranger district directly, as a small number of walk-up permits are sometimes held back from the online system. If the area is truly booked, look for adjacent wilderness areas in the same national forest that may have similar terrain without the quota.

Do all national forests require permits for camping?

No. The majority of national forest land allows dispersed camping with no permit and no fee. Permits are required only in specific situations: designated campground reservations (through Recreation.gov), wilderness areas with overnight quotas, and a few special management areas. Most backcountry camping on national forest land outside of quota wilderness zones is free and permit-free.