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If you wish to camp anywhere in the park, other than in developed campgrounds on the North Rim or the South Rim, you must obtain a permit from the Backcountry Information Center. 
A backcountry permit is required for:
A backcountry permit is NOT required for:
Backcountry travelers must have their permit in their possession while in the backcountry. Once a camp is established, the permit must be attached to a pack, tent, or other equipment in plain view so it can be easily checked by rangers. Permits are valid only for the trip leader, itinerary, number of people, and dates specified on the permit. Permits for all overnight backcountry use must be obtained through the Backcountry Information Center at Grand Canyon National Park. Reservations for overnight tent or RV camping in developed use areas on the canyon rims (Mather, Desert View, North Rim) are not obtained through the Backcountry Information Center. The Backcountry Information Center does not make reservations for river trips, mule trips, Phantom Ranch lodging, or trips into the canyon on the Havasupai Reservation. To obtain additional information on how to enter the Phantom Ranch lodging lottery, or to check general availability, please contact Xanterra Parks and Resorts at 303-297-2757 or 888-297-2757 (https://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging/phantom-ranch/). For hikes into Havasu Canyon contact Havasupai Tourism Enterprise at (928) 448-2180 or (928) 448-2237 or (928) 448-2141 or (928) 448-2121 
HIKE SMART
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| START DATE for hikes starting in: |
EARLIEST CONSIDERATION The day does not matter, just get it to us any time between these dates. Equal, random order consideration is given to all written requests received between: |
IN-PERSON VERBAL REQUESTS not eligible for consideration until: |
|---|---|---|
| October 2023 | May 20 and Jun 1 (by 5pm MST) | Jul 1 |
| November 2023 | Jun 20 and Jul 1 (by 5pm MST) | Aug 1 |
| December 2023 | Jul 20 and Aug 1 (by 5pm MST) | Sep 1 |
Earliest Consideration Requests (2023): For requests received during the Earliest Consideration time period, the day received does not matter; all Earliest Consideration requests received during this span of dates are treated exactly the same. Requests are combined together into one pile, duplicates are removed, and then processing begins using a computer generated random order. It may take Rangers up to three weeks to process all Earliest Consideration requests.
Subsequent Requests (2023): Once all Earliest Consideration requests have been processed, Rangers will begin processing written requests received on subsequent dates. These Subsequent Requests are kept and considered in the order received. Requests are accepted as late as two weeks prior to a hike start date.
For Start Dates in 2024
Grand Canyon National Park has moved its overnight backcountry reservation system to Recreation.gov for all calendar year 2024 and later permits. For Grand Canyon backcountry permits and Recreation.gov FAQs visit www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit-questions.htm
Backcountry reservations are initially be offered via an early access lottery on Recreation.gov. Applicants can apply for the early access lottery online over a two-week period that ends on the 1st of the month and matches the current deadline (e.g., Jan 1 for all May start dates; Feb 1 for all June start dates; March 1 for all July start dates, etc.). Through this lottery, up to 750 applicants will be awarded a date and time when they will be eligible to log in to their Recreation.gov account, check availability, and have an opportunity to reserve an itinerary and pay for their reservation. On the 1st of the subsequent month (e.g., Feb 1 for May start dates) everyone will have immediate access to check availability and reserve any remaining camp space.
Grand Canyon Backcountry Monthly Lotteries in 2024
| Permits For | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Early Access Lottery - Opens for Applications | Aug 16 | Sep 16 | Oct 16 | Nov 16 | Dec 16 | Jan 16 | Feb 16 | Mar 16 | Apr 16 | May 16 | Jun 16 | Jul 16 |
| Early Access Lottery - Closes at 5pm MST | Sep 01 | Oct 01 | Nov 01 | Dec 01 | Jan 01 | Feb 01 | Mar 01 | Apr 01 | May 01 | Jun 01 | Jul 01 | Aug 01 |
| Early Access Lottery - Applicants notified of Results | Sep 02 | Oct 02 | Nov 02 | Dec 02 | Jan 02 | Feb 02 | Mar 02 | Apr 02 | May 02 | Jun 02 | Jul 02 | Aug 02 |
| Early Access Lottery - Awarded Time Slots Begin | Sep 04 | Oct 04 | Nov 06 | Dec 04 | Jan 04 | Feb 05 | Mar 04 | Apr 04 | May 06 | Jun 04 | Jul 04 | Aug 05 |
| Early Access Lottery - Awarded Time Slots End | Sep 15 | Oct 17 | Nov 17 | Dec 15 | Jan 17 | Feb 16 | Mar 15 | Apr 17 | May 17 | Jun 17 | Jul 17 | Aug 16 |
| Early Access Lottery - All Applicant Access Begins | Sep 20 | Oct 20 | Nov 22 | Dec 20 | Jan 22 | Feb 21 | Mar 20 | Apr 22 | May 22 | Jun 20 | Jul 22 | Aug 21 |
| After-Lottery - Reservations Open to Public | Oct 01 | Nov 01 | Dec 01 | Jan 01 | Feb 01 | Mar 01 | Apr 01 | May 01 | Jun 01 | Jul 01 | Aug 01 | Sep 01 |
How to Apply
For Start Dates in 2023
Obtain and fill out the Backcountry Permit Request Form:
- Backcountry Permit Request Form (PDF file)
- Backcountry Hiking Brochure (PDF file) - Corridor map on page 6
- Corridor Availability Report (PDF file)
Submit the permit request form in one of the following ways:
- Fax request to the Backcountry Information Center, 928-638-2125.
- NOTE: You can send a fax 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year - HOWEVER the first day of every month we receive many faxes and the number may be busy.
- Mail request to Grand Canyon National Park, Permits Office, 1824 S. Thompson St., Suite 201, Flagstaff AZ, 86001
- Bring request to the Backcountry Information Center, located inside the park on both the South Rim and the North Rim. The South Rim Backcountry Information Center is open daily, year round, from 8 am to noon and 1-5 pm Mountain Standard Time. The North Rim Backcountry Information Center (located in the administrative building) is open daily mid-May to mid-October from 8 am to noon and 1-5 pm Mountain Standard Time.
For Start Dates in 2024
Grand Canyon National Park has moved its overnight backcountry reservation system to Recreation.gov for all calendar year 2024 and later permits. For Grand Canyon backcountry permits and Recreation.gov FAQs visit www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit-questions.htm
To create a lottery application, go to www.recreation.gov and login to your account. From there, search for Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Permits and select that option. Now you are at the Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Permits page. On the right side of your page you should see "Early Access Lottery" if one is currently open, all you need to do is click on "Register for Open Lottery" at the bottom of that section. From there click on "Register for Open Lottery." It will then give you a chance to update phone and address information, have you check a box that says you understand the regulations, and give you a chance to click on "Proceed to Cart" to enter your credit card information and pay.
The deadline for early access lottery applications matches the current (2023) lottery application deadline. Lottery applications can be submitted through Recreation.gov over a 2-week period that begins on the 16th of the month and ends at 5pm MST on the first of the month, 4-months prior to the desired start month:
| For Permit Start Dates in | Lottery Opens | Lottery Closes at 5pm MST |
|---|---|---|
| January 2024 | August 16 | September 1 |
| February 2024 | September 16 | October 1 |
| March 2024 | October 16 | November 1 |
| April 2024 | November 16 | December 1 |
| May 2024 | December 16 | January 1 |
| June 2024 | January 16 | February 1 |
| July 2024 | February 16 | March 1 |
| August 2024 | March 16 | April 1 |
| September 2024 | April 16 | May 1 |
| October 2024 | May 16 | June 1 |
| November 2024 | June 16 | July 1 |
| December 2024 | July 16 | August 1 |
Last Minute Permit for Corridor Campgrounds
A small, limited number of last minute permits are available exclusively for visitors at Grand Canyon National Park who wish to camp at Havasupai Gardens*, Bright Angel, and/or Cottonwood Campgrounds. These permits are issued in person only, are for one or two consecutive nights, and cannot be purchased more than one day prior to the start of a hike. Last minute permits are held back to facilitate an overnight backcountry experience and are not intended for a rim to rim multi-night trip. During the trans-canyon waterline replacement project, taking place in 2023 and 2024, availability of last minute permits may be extremely limited at times, especially for Bright Angel Campground.
IMPORTANT. Hikers obtaining a permit on the North Rim will have priority access to Cottonwood Campground and will likely not be able to obtain a last minute permit for Havasupai Gardens* Campground. Hikers obtaining a permit on the South Rim will have priority access to Havasupai Gardens* Campground and will likely not be able to obtain a last minute permit for Cottonwood Campground. Hikers from either rim have access to Bright Angel Campground.
Last minute permits are issued by the Backcountry Information Center, located inside the park on both the South Rim and the North Rim. The South Rim Backcountry Information Center is open daily, year-round, while the North Rim Backcountry Information Center (located in the National Park Service administrative building) is open daily, May 15th to October 31st. Both offices are open on holidays and keep the same daily hours, from 8 am to noon and 1-5 pm Mountain Standard Time.
*Havasupai Gardens is the NPS Campground formerly known as Indian Garden, accessed from Grand Canyon Village via the Bright Angel Trail.
Waitlist
You can stop by the Backcountry Information Center at any time during open hours and request a waitlist number. This number is valid for the following morning and will be used to determine priority of service. At 8:00 a.m. Backcountry Information Center staff will call waitlist numbers. When your turn comes you can request a permit, exchange your number for a new waitlist number good for the following day, or simply ask questions. You may participate in the waitlist for as many consecutive days as is convenient.
Following is an example showing how the waitlist can be used to secure a lower number for the next day and increase your chances of obtaining your desired permit. This is an example of how the process works in the busy season. Backcountry Information Center staff can give you a much clearer picture of how long the potential wait time will be once you arrive. During the busy season it is rare to get a last-minute permit the same day.
Last minute permit and waitlist example for South Rim. The same process is applicable to those waiting on the North Rim. The only difference would be the campgrounds and maybe one day shorter wait on the North Rim.
- Day 1, Tuesday: You come to the Backcountry Information Center at 11 a.m. and request a permit for Bright Angel on Wednesday night and Havasupai Gardens* on Thursday night. No permits are available. You join the waitlist for the next day and are assigned #10.
- Day 2, Wednesday: You return at 7:59 a.m. Unfortunately, by the time Backcountry Information Center staff reaches your waitlist number, all Corridor Campground permits have been assigned. You exchange today's waitlist number for tomorrow's waitlist number; you are #2.
- Day 3, Thursday: You return at 7:59 a.m. You obtain a permit for Bright Angel on Friday night and Havasupai Gardens* on Saturday night, hiking out Sunday morning.
*Havasupai Gardens is the NPS Campground formerly known as Indian Garden, accessed from Grand Canyon Village via the Bright Angel Trail.
Use Areas
The backcountry is divided into "use areas". Each use area has an overnight capacity based upon the size of the area, the number of suitable and available campsites, its ecological sensitivity, its management zoning, and its use history. Use areas range in size from several hundred acres to several thousand acres.
Length of Stay
Camping in designated campsites or campgrounds is limited to two nights (consecutive or non-consecutive) per campsite or campground per hike. Designated campsites include the Corridor (Havasupai Gardens*, Bright Angel, Cottonwood), Hermit, Hermit Rapids, Monument, Granite Rapids, Cedar Spring, Salt, Horn, Horseshoe Mesa, South Bass Trailhead areas (SE1, SE2, SE3), Cape Final, Point Sublime, Swamp Point, Fire Point, Tapeats, and Deer Creek Use Areas. One exception is made to this rule, during the off-season (November 15 through February 28), and within the Corridor Use Area only, overnight stays up to a total of four nights per campground per trip are allowed.
*Havasupai Gardens is the NPS Campground formerly known as Indian Garden, accessed from Grand Canyon Village via the Bright Angel Trail.
Outside the use areas named above, "at-large" camping is permitted, meaning that camps are not limited to designated sites.
Trips are limited to a maximum of seven nights per use area; however, overall trip lengths are not limited.
Group Size
More permits are available for small groups (1-6 people) than for large groups (7-11 people). Because there are only a few large group sites, limiting the size of your group will increase your chances of obtaining a permit.
Larger groups tend to cause a disproportionately higher amount of damage to the canyon, largely due to the effects of "social" trailing. For this reason, the park's Backcountry Management Plan does not allow groups larger than eleven people to camp in the same campground or use area.
Regulations stipulate that all permits are void when a group obtains multiple permits for the same campground or use area for the same night. The alternative for these larger groups is to obtain permits for smaller groups and ensure the itineraries for these permits never bring more than one of the permits into the same campground or use area on the same night. No more than four large groups or eight small groups that are affiliated with each other may camp within the backcountry on the same night.
Commercial Use
In addition to following all normal backcountry permit requirements, commercial organizations must obtain a Commercial Use Authorization. Contact the park's Concession Management Office at (928) 638-7707 for further information or visit www.nps.gov/grca/getinvolved/cua.htm.
North Rim Winter Use
Winter use guidelines come into affect after the North Rim receives adequate snowfall to close Highway 67 or on Dec 1st, whichever comes first. Once in effect, winter use guidelines apply until mid-May, when the North Rim reopens for the season.
During the winter season a backcountry permit is required for overnight use of the North Rim from the park's northern boundary to Bright Angel Point on the canyon rim. Winter access is by hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing only. A permit can be obtained in advance at the Backcountry Information Center.
Permittees are allowed to camp at-large between the park's north boundary and the North Kaibab trailhead but not at the trailhead itself. Between the North Kaibab trailhead and the Bright Angel Point area, camping is permitted only at the North Rim Campground group campsite.
Human waste may not be buried in the snow in areas that will be in view of summer users.
Remote Sites
With a valid credit card, last minute permits may sometimes be obtained from the rangers on duty at the Lees Ferry ranger station for a limited number of use areas in their vicinity. However, these rangers have other patrol responsibilities and may not be available to provide assistance. It is recommended that all trips be planned well in advance through the Backcountry Information Center.
Organized Group Rim-to-Rim and Extended Day Hike/Run
Any organized, non-commercial group of 12-30 participants, or not-for-profit group conducting rim-to-rim, rim-to-rim-to-rim, rim-to-river-to-rim, and/or extended day hikes in the inner canyon must obtain a Special Use Permit (SUP). The inner canyon is defined as the area below the Tonto Platform from the South Rim and below Manzanita Resthouse from the North Rim. Groups may not break into smaller groups on different permits to accommodate group size. Commercial operations are not authorized under this SUP. For more information visit www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/sup.htm
Backcountry Use Statistics
Backcountry use statistics (from overnight backcountry permits). The statistics include:
- yearly statistics
- permittee breakdown by country and US state
- use trends, corridor and non-corridor
- use area details
Backcountry Information Center
The South Rim Backcountry Information Center is open daily from 8 am to noon and 1-5 pm Mountain Standard Time. The North Rim Backcountry Information Center is open daily mid-May to October 31 from 8 am to noon and 1-5 pm (Mountain Standard Time).
Backcountry Information Center staff answer information telephone inquiries at 928-638-7875 between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays.
Email the Backcountry Information Center.
FAX number for permits is 928-638-2125
you can send a fax 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year - HOWEVER the first day of every month we receive many faxes and the number may be busy.
Mailing address is:
Grand Canyon National Park
Permits Office
1824 S. Thompson St., Suite 201
Flagstaff AZ, 86001
Trip Planner (2mb PDF file): The information in this newspaper can assist you in obtaining a backcountry use permit.
Video: Hiking Grand Canyon, Prepare for Backpacking. This video is designed to help you plan for and enjoy your hike into the canyon's harsh, yet fragile, environment.
Video: Leave No Trace. All Grand Canyon backcountry users are asked to follow Leave No Trace principles. The goal is to have minimum human impact on the canyon as a result of your trip.
Hike Smart: Be sure and listen to the Hike Smart Podcasts! (transcripts available)
The Grand Canyon Conservancy sells maps and guides on hiking in Grand Canyon National Park.
Additional backcountry info can be found on the following webpages.
Last updated: October 16, 2023