Comments on: How to Get a Permit to Backpack in the Grand Canyon https://thebigoutsideblog.com/how-to-get-a-permit-to-backpack-in-the-grand-canyon/ America’s Best Backpacking and Outdoor Adventures Sat, 04 Oct 2025 11:56:33 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 By: Michael Lanza https://thebigoutsideblog.com/how-to-get-a-permit-to-backpack-in-the-grand-canyon/#comment-251735 Fri, 06 Dec 2024 22:22:48 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=48711#comment-251735 In reply to Ray.

Hi Ray,

Congrats on scoring a spot in the early-access lottery for April 2025. I happen to have drawn a great early-access time slot for March 2025 and now have a permit for a trip then, and had the same success last fall for a trip I took last April (2024). It’s very competitive, but it’s a great improvement over GCNP’s previous permit system. It’s also a little complicated to navigate, so I understand your confusion.

You have probably not yet tried clicking different starting areas at recreation.gov, is that it? But if you are only looking for a classic GC hike via South Rim, that’s a popular starting area and you would likely only see Havasupai Gardens even this early in the early-access period. It may not be available by Dec. 11. There are other possibilities for you, too complicated for me to explain here, but take a look at my e-book “The Best Backpacking Trip in the Grand Canyon.”

And normally I can help you plan that trip and navigate the permit process, including answering the perhaps many questions you might have; but I’m in the middle of a trip right now and wouldn’t have time to turn around a complete trip plan for you before Dec. 11. Sorry. See my Custom Trip Planning page to learn more about that service, for future reference.

Thanks for the comment.

]]> By: Ray https://thebigoutsideblog.com/how-to-get-a-permit-to-backpack-in-the-grand-canyon/#comment-251718 Thu, 05 Dec 2024 01:15:48 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=48711#comment-251718 Hello Michael,
I just won the lottery (my first time trying) for April 2025. It will be my first trip below the rim. My early reservation date is December 11. I’ve started to watch recreation.gov reservation website to understand what might be available in one week when my day arrives. Since Bright Angel will be closed, it looks like the only campsite/campground available will be Havasupai Gardens. Can that be true? Am I missing some area of the website with other options? Thanks for your help.

]]> By: Michael Lanza https://thebigoutsideblog.com/how-to-get-a-permit-to-backpack-in-the-grand-canyon/#comment-244883 Mon, 04 Sep 2023 23:06:41 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=48711#comment-244883 In reply to Barry Sprott.

We should all be thankful that backpackers can no longer camp just anywhere in the canyon, Barry. It’s not hard to imagine that impact that kind of unmanaged or very lightly managed backcountry camping began to have on the environment there.

]]> By: Barry Sprott https://thebigoutsideblog.com/how-to-get-a-permit-to-backpack-in-the-grand-canyon/#comment-244872 Mon, 04 Sep 2023 20:13:04 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=48711#comment-244872 Yes, very good info. back in the 70s and 80s it was so easy to camp anywhere on the G.C. But now it reminds me of the movie “Soylent Green”. Thanks Barry

]]> By: Michael Lanza https://thebigoutsideblog.com/how-to-get-a-permit-to-backpack-in-the-grand-canyon/#comment-234758 Thu, 14 Jul 2022 21:19:03 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=48711#comment-234758 In reply to Kevin T..

That’s great news, Kevin, I’m psyched for you! What a wonderful hike you have coming up. I think I’m a little envious. Let me know if anyone backs out! Have fun.

]]> By: Kevin T. https://thebigoutsideblog.com/how-to-get-a-permit-to-backpack-in-the-grand-canyon/#comment-234739 Wed, 13 Jul 2022 22:36:59 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=48711#comment-234739 Hi Michael,
I just received a congratulations email from the Grand Canyon Backcountry Office with our approved backpacking permit for the Escalante Route in mid-November. I appreciate your blog on tips for getting a permit and used them with our successful application. Your beautiful trip photos and videos inspired us to go for it. And The Best Backpacking Trip in the Grand Canyon E-Guide will also be helpful in our trip planning and logistics.
We are looking forward to a great experience. Thanks!

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