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Want to backpack in the very best and most-scenic areas of Olympic National Park for 2018? You better be ready soon! Olympic National Park officials have announced that they will be accepting wilderness permit reservation requests starting in mid-February. You better hurry and submit your permit reservation requests soon- in 2017, Olympic National Park saw 122,000 people in the backcountry, the third highest total out of any National Park in America. Wondering where you need backcountry reservations in Olympic? Keep reading.
The full announcement from Olympic National Park can be read below:
The Wilderness Information Center (WIC) will begin accepting wilderness permit reservation requests beginning February 15 for the 2018 season. Reservation requests will now be accepted via email, mail or in person at the WIC in Port Angeles.
The reservation request form is currently being updated and will be available on the park website before February 15th.
The WIC previously accepted reservation requests via fax, mail, or hand delivery beginning March 15th of every year. Reservation requests will no longer be accepted via fax. Switching from fax to email will streamline permit processing for WIC staff and make the reservation process easier and more accessible to the general public.
Reservations are strongly encouraged when planning trips that include one or more nights to quota areas and group sites:
Quota Areas
- Ozette Coast (Yellow Banks to Point of the Arches)
- Royal Basin/Royal Lake
- Lake Constance
- Upper Lena Lake
- Flapjack Lakes (including Gladys Divide)
- Grand Valley and Badger Valley
- Sol Duc/Seven Lakes Basin
- Hoh Lake and CB Flats
- Hoh River Trail group sites
- Upper Hoh River Trail sites (Elk Lake, Glacier Meadows, Martin Creek)
Reservations are required for all Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) and Special Use Permit (SUP) holders regardless of itinerary location.
Wilderness Permit fees are $8.00 per person, per night for individuals 16 or older. Annual Wilderness Passes are $45.00 per person (annual flat rate).
Reservations will not be accepted earlier than February 15th.
For more information about wilderness permits and backpacking in Olympic National Park, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wilderness-trip-planner.htm.
Need ideas for where to backpack in Olympic National Park? We have put together a list of seven of our favorite backcountry destinations.
WANT MORE ADVENTURES IN AND AROUND OLYMPIC?
Discover a Hike a Week through Doug Scott’s Olympic National Park Area Guidebook
