How to book a permit for the Three Sisters Wilderness
The process of booking a Central Cascades Wilderness Permit is as easy as an online checkout. But determining whether and when to get one can be complicated, so I hope this helps simplify the requirements.
This information is current as of 2023-02-01.
Step 1: When are you going?
If you're going into the wilderness between mid-June and mid-October you may need to pre-purchase a permit. Outside these dates, no permits are required in the wilderness areas. Usually, the snowpack will limit you to low-elevation, sunny areas before June 15. You can access the wilderness after October 15 in most years, but weather can be dicey and unpredictable.
Step 2: General information
- All permits are good for a group of up to 12 people. Each person should carry a copy of the permit and enter the wilderness together with the group.
- Overnight permits cost $6 (per trip, per group). 1-night solo trip? $6. 5-night trip with a group of 4? $6.
- Day use permits cost $1 (per group).
- Purchase a permit for the trailhead where you will enter the wilderness.
Useful Links
- Three Sisters Wilderness Permit Map (PDF) - This is a great tool to consult when planning your trip.
- Purchase an overnight permit - Recreation.gov
- Purchase a day-use permit - Recreation.gov
- US Forest Service informational page
Step 3: What type of trip are you taking?
Overnight trips
A permit is required for all overnight stays within the wilderness area during permit season.
- Consult the Three Sisters Wilderness Permit Map (PDF) to decide which trailhead you want to use to enter the wilderness, and to identify one or two backup options.
- In April (exact date & time TBA), Recreation.gov will release 40% of the available permits for the whole season in advance. You can book up to 5 permits at this time, if you're quick enough.
- This means you should be ready to refresh the webpage at 7am, and book your permits as quickly as possible.
- 7 days before the start of your trip, the remaining 60% of the permits (for your start day) will be released at 7:00 a.m. Pacific time. Again, it's a good idea to be quick to reserve these for popular trailheads.
- Outside of the most popular trailheads, I have not had too much trouble booking permits. It does depend on the time of season and time of week.
- Book permits here: Purchase an overnight permit - Recreation.gov
Day hikes
Some trailheads require pre-purchased permits for entry into the wilderness. Other trailheads allow you to get a free, self-issued permit from a kiosk at the trailhead, and these permits aren't limited in number.
- Consult the Three Sisters Wilderness Permit Map (PDF) to decide which trailhead you want to use to enter the wilderness, and to identify one or two backup options.
- You only need to pre-purchase a permit for trailheads marked red.
- If possible, I recommend planning your day so you enter the wilderness at a blue trailhead. It makes the process much easier. Simply arrive at the trailhead, fill out a paper permit, and go on your way.
- In April (exact date & time TBA), Recreation.gov will release 40% of the available permits for the whole season in advance. You can book up to 5 permits at this time, if you're quick enough.
- This means you should be ready to refresh the webpage at 7am, and book your permits as quickly as possible.
- 10 days before the start of your trip, some of the remaining 60% of the permits (for your start day) will be released at 7:00 a.m. Pacific time. Again, it's a good idea to be quick to reserve these for popular trailheads.
- 2 days before the start of your trip, the rest of the permits (for your start day) will be released at 7:00 a.m. Pacific time. Again, it's a good idea to be quick to reserve these for popular trailheads.
- Outside of the most popular trailheads, I have not had too much trouble booking permits. It does depend on the time of season and time of week.
- Book permits here: Purchase a day-use permit - Recreation.gov
Step 4: Plan your trip
Some tips to make it easier to get permits:
- Plan to get mid-week permits if possible
- Plan a few different trailheads where you can enter the wilderness
- For day use - can you use a non-permit trailhead to get where you want to go?
- For overnight use - can you camp outside the wilderness and pass through it in a single day from a non-permit trailhead?
As a runner who's not afraid of some extra miles, I can approach the permit process with flexibility.
Step 5: Purchase a permit
- Identify when you will be able to purchase a permit for your start date.
- Ahead of time, create an account on Recreation.gov and be logged in, so you will be ready.
- At precisely 7:00 a.m. Pacific time, be ready to refresh the Recreation.gov page and add your permit to your cart. You then havev a 15 minute grace period to make the purchase.
Is it always this bad?
Not really. Getting a permit isn't always this cutthroat - I'm describing the most extreme situation - but it pays to plan ahead and act quickly.
- Popular trailheads require quicker action
- July is the most popular month. It's much easier to get a permit in September.
- Weekends are most popular. It's easier to book mid-week permits.
Can't make your trip? Log in and cancel your permit to free it up for someone else.
Couldn't get a permit or plan a workaround? As the trip date approaches, keep checking back to see if someone has given up a permit.