The Enchantments overnight permit lottery registration opens Feb. 15 and ends Mar. 1. The organizers attempt to make the results available Mar. 17 but call this date “estimated”. Here are some tips and information regarding the process.
The first step to applying for an overnight permit is thoroughly reading all the information available from official sources. You can find area info and details about the overnight permit system on the following resources:
Official Forest Service Information Page
Recreation.gov Enchantment Permit Area Page
In 2022 there were 36,827 applications and 2,700 available permits awarded. This translates into a 7.3% success rate overall. The Core Zone received 26,988 of those applications, with only 723. This means 73% of the applications for The Enchantments were for the core zone and only 2.6% of applicants obtained a permit. Therefore, if you decide to apply for a Core permit, you will have the MOST competition.
Weekends and holidays will be the most competitive of all available options.
The Colchuck Zone is the next most popular. If camping here, finding the solitude that most wilderness areas offer may be difficult. However, this is a good option if you are unsure about tackling Aasgard Pass. It allows for a convenient base camp with the option to access the Core with a lighter pack as a day hike from your campsite.
The Stuart Lake Zone has a more mellow elevation gain, meadow views of the Stuart Range, and more solitude with less day hiker traffic. This zone could be a good option for families with young children or newer backpackers.
The Eightmile-Caroline Zone receives the least applications and does not have access to the Core but allows for more solitude, beautiful camping and views around Lake Caroline, and options to day-hike Windy Pass and Mt. Cashmere from your camp.
The Snow Zone is an excellent option if traveling early season when heavy snow remains on Aasgard Pass. The Snow Zone allows for camping at both Nada and Snow Lakes. Setting up a base camp at Snow Lakes and accessing the Core zone as a day hike is a common practice and allows the permit holders to leave some weight behind at camp and move more efficiently/casually throughout the Core on a day trip.
Tips
*May to early June and late September to October can see adverse weather and snow conditions. Be prepared for rain, snow, and cold temps if applying for this timeframe.
*Early season, the Eightmile Road gate will not open until the road and trailhead are dry and snow-free due to the damage high vehicle traffic causes to the roadbed in these conditions. Therefore, if the road is not open, an additional distance of 4 miles (one way) needs to be planned for, or you should consider selecting the Snow Zone during this period.
Applying
When the application window opens, the Recreation.gov portal will walk you through the process and prompt the user for any required information.
The reservation system will prompt you to pick your desired permit date and location; this is the zone you will be able to camp in. The recreation.gov system may ask for this as an “entry location.” This is the location/zone you are entering an application for, not the trailhead you will use. For example, the “entry location” for a Core Zone permit will be the Core Zone and not the Stuart Lake Zone, even though you may be entering from the Stuart Lake Trailhead.
Frequently Asked Questions
A common question is, “What is an alternate permit leader?”
The alternate is a listed person during the application process who can assume the permit in case the primary permit holder cannot make the trip—for example, travel issues, medical emergencies, and other obligations. The group will still be able to go on their trip with the alternate leader if the primary permit holder cannot make it. When the rangers check your permit, either the permit holder or the alternate must be present with the group for the permit to be valid. The alternate will need a recreation.gov account and accept the role as an alternate when submitted. A person cannot apply for a permit and be an alternate. It should be someone chosen from your group.
An alternate isn’t required, but it is a wise backup option for the group. You cannot add or change an alternate after the lottery application. If the official permit holder cannot make the trip for whatever reason and the holder did not select an alternate, the permit will need to be canceled.
Another common question is, “I applied for a weekday, but it turns out I won’t have off work until the weekend. So can I just come in Saturday when it is convenient for me?”
All group members must start on the same day listed on the permit and camp together. Entering on an incorrect date will invalidate your permit. The camping capacity of a zone is regulated by the entry date of a permit. This helps to ensure previously impacted campsites are available for the number of groups in a given zone at a given time.
Best of luck to all who apply!
