As winter continues to hold its grip, it might be challenging to look forward to the allure of dry trails and mild nights spent camping in alpine environments. However, neglecting to plan your 2024 adventures now could mean missing out on some of the most coveted hiking destinations across the country. The competition for backpacking permits intensifies as lotteries open as early as the first week of January, with the narrow window for securing your ticket to backcountry bliss closing rapidly. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to ensure you seize the opportunity to explore the following sought-after destinations in 2024.
1. Angels Landing, Zion National Park: To experience the breathtaking views from the iconic Angels Landing above Zion Canyon, a permit is essential. The seasonal lottery on recreation.gov features four drawings for different times of the year, using a ranked-choice system. Applicants can select up to seven preferred hiking days and times, with a fee of $6 plus $3 per person if the permit is secured. Spring hike applications close on January 20, and the summer hike lottery opens on April 1, notifying winners on April 25. Fall hike applications begin on July 1.
Alternative Option: If unable to secure a permit, access Scout Lookout just half a mile below Angels Landing via the West Rim Trail, which doesn’t require a permit.
2. “The Wave,” Arizona and Utah: For day-use access to the Instagrammable geologic sandstone formation in Coyote Buttes North, a $9 permit is required. Only 64 permits are granted each day, with applications accepted four months before the desired trip date on recreation.gov.
Alternative Option: Explore Mars-like rock formations in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, where no permits are required.
3. Boundary Waters Canoe Area: Minnesota’s crown jewel for canoe campers and hikers demands year-round permits through a first-come, first-served system. The high season, from May to September, involves a quota system with permits available on the last Wednesday of January at 9 AM central.
Alternative Option: Consider the Timber-Frear canoe route in Superior National Forest, a popular paddling alternative with backcountry camping opportunities.
4. Kalalau Trail, Hawaii: This 11-mile trail along Kauai’s north shore requires permits available 90 days in advance, especially during peak times. The permit also serves as an entry reservation into Hā’ena State Park.
Alternative Option: The first two miles of the trail don’t require a permit, offering a lovely out-and-back 4-mile hike with stunning views of Kauai.
5. Lost Coast, King Range Wilderness, California: For the best beach hiking in California, plan ahead with permits required year-round. The quota system limits entry, with reservations available on a 3-month rolling window system.
Alternative Option: Explore the Oregon Coast Trail, a 400-mile route that doesn’t require permits for backpackers.
6. Mt. Whitney, California: As the highest point in the Lower 48, Mt. Whitney is a popular destination requiring a permit through a lottery system. Applications are open from February 1 to March 1, with results posted on March 15.
Alternative Option: Explore nearby 14ers such as White Mountain Peak, which doesn’t require a permit.
7. Linville Gorge Wilderness, North Carolina: North Carolina’s Linville Gorge, known for cascading waterfalls and mountain vistas, limits overnight permits during weekends from May to October. Permits are available on recreation.gov.
Alternative Option: Camping on Table Rock doesn’t require a permit, and the 30-mile Art Loeb trail is a longer hike without permit restrictions.
8. Half Dome Cables, Yosemite: The famous ascent to Half Dome requires a permit for the final cable ascent, obtained through a preseason lottery in March.
Alternative Option: A 14-to-16 mile round-trip hike to the base of the cables without a permit still offers breathtaking views and a memorable Yosemite experience.
