How every permit works
Every gate we track, what kind of ticket it is, and how it releases. For exact apply dates, see the permit calendar.
Data updated Sep 23, 2026
Hardest odds on record
Gates with a success rate we can show, lowest first. Official comes from an agency results table; Estimate is derived, so treat it as context.
- Middle Fork of the Salmon
Four Rivers Lottery
Lottery
2% in 2025 · Estimate
- The Enchantments
Advanced Overnight Lottery
Lottery
6.4% in 2023 · Official
- North Cascades Backcountry
Early Access Lottery
Lottery
14.4% in 2026 · Official
- Half Dome
Daily Lottery
Lottery
19% in 2024 · Official
- Half Dome
Preseason Lottery
Lottery
22% in 2024 · Official
- Mount Whitney
Day Use & Overnight Lottery
Lottery
27.3% in 2023 · Official
- Angels Landing
Seasonal Lottery
Lottery
50% in 2024 · Official
- Angels Landing
Day-before Lottery
Lottery
50% in 2024 · Official
All gates, A–Z
Once a year means one application window per season. Rolling means tickets drop on a schedule — monthly, a set number of days ahead, or the day before.
- Angels Landing
Seasonal Lottery
Lottery
Rolling releases
- Angels Landing
Day-before Lottery
Lottery
Rolling releases
- Baxter / Katahdin
Katahdin Trailhead Pass
Timed entry
Rolling releases
- Baxter / Katahdin
Baxter Camping Reservation
Permit quota
Rolling releases
- Boundary Waters
Overnight Permit Quota
Permit quota
Required in season
- Bright Angel Campground
Backcountry Early Access Lottery
Lottery
Rolling releases
- Cadillac Summit Road
Summit Road Vehicle Reservation
Timed entry
Rolling releases
- Carlsbad Caverns
Cavern Timed Entry
Timed entry
Rolling releases
- Cataloochee Campground
Campground Reservation
Permit quota
Rolling releases
- Denali Park Road
Park Road Lottery (suspended)
Lottery
Suspended this season
- Desolation Wilderness
Overnight Zone Quota
Permit quota
Rolling releases
- Fiery Furnace
Self-Guided Exploration Permit
Permit quota
Rolling releases
- Glacier Wilderness
Early Access Lottery
Lottery
Once a year + rolling releases
- Going-to-the-Sun Road
Logan Pass Shuttle Ticket
Timed entry
Rolling releases
- Grand Canyon Mule Day Rides
South Rim Day Mule Reservation
Reservation
Rolling releases
- Grand Canyon Noncommercial River
Weighted Lottery
Lottery
Once a year + rolling releases
- Haleakalā Sunrise
Sunrise Viewing Reservation
Timed entry
Rolling releases
- Half Dome
Preseason Lottery
Lottery
Once a year
- Half Dome
Daily Lottery
Lottery
Rolling releases
- Main Salmon River
Four Rivers Lottery
Lottery
Once a year
- Maroon Bells
Shuttle or Trailhead Parking
Timed entry
Required in season
- McNeil River
ADF&G Viewing Lottery
Lottery
Once a year
- Middle Fork of the Salmon
Four Rivers Lottery
Lottery
Once a year
- Mount Whitney
Day Use & Overnight Lottery
Lottery
Once a year
- Muir Woods
Parking or Shuttle Reservation
Timed entry
Rolling releases
- North Cascades Backcountry
Early Access Lottery
Lottery
Once a year + rolling releases
- Olympic Wilderness
Wilderness Overnight Permit
Permit quota
Once a year
- Phantom Ranch
Lodging Lottery (Xanterra)
Lottery
Rolling releases
- Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive
Scenic Drive Timed Entry
Timed entry
Required in season
- Rocky Mountain Timed Entry
Timed Entry Reservation
Timed entry
Rolling releases
- Selway River
Four Rivers Lottery
Lottery
Once a year
- Snake River — Hells Canyon
Four Rivers Lottery
Lottery
Once a year
- The Enchantments
Advanced Overnight Lottery
Lottery
Once a year
- The Subway
Seasonal Lottery
Lottery
Rolling releases
- The Subway
Canyoneering Daily Lottery
Lottery
Rolling releases
- The Wave
Advanced Lottery
Lottery
Rolling releases
- The Wave
Daily Lottery
Lottery
Rolling releases
- Wonderland Trail
Early Access Lottery
Lottery
Once a year
- Yosemite Firefall
Park farther · walk to the view
Reservation
No ticket this season
The managing agency (and Recreation.gov when the product lives there) is authoritative for dates, fees, and whether registration is open. We summarize — always confirm on the official page before you apply. About Official / Estimate
Cite this page: Hush Canyon, “How Every Hard-Ticket Park Permit Works,” HushCanyon.com/almanac/how-permits-work, updated Sep 23, 2026. How to cite & reuse