What Permits/Passes Do I Need?

Hiking in Washington is pretty easy. Throw a dart at the map of the state, and chances are, you'll be near some remarkable outdoor opportunities. However, figuring out which permits are required for your hike can be a bit confusing. Here's a breakdown of permits needed to enjoy all of Washington's diverse hiking areas.

: Photo by Trevor Anderson

What You'll Need. Where You'll Need it.

National Parks

America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass
Washington and Oregon Recreation Pass

Forest Service Sites

America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass
Washington and Oregon Recreation Pass
Northwest Forest Pass

Bureau of Land Management Sites

America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass
Washington and Oregon Recreation Pass

Washington State Parks

Washington and Oregon Recreation Pass

Basic camping fees in Washington State Parks: 

Standard campsite $17 - $22* ($19-$24 for arrival dates on or after July 1, 2009)
Utility campsite $23 - $31* ($25-$33 for arrival dates on or after July 1, 2009)
Primitive campsite $12 - $14
Unattended vehicle overnight parking $10

Sno-Parks

One-Day Permit
Seasonal Permit
Special Groomed Trails Permit

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Sites

Washington Vehicle Use Permit

US Fish and Wildlife Sites

America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass
Washington and Oregon Recreation Pass

Bureau of Reclamation

America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass
Washington and Oregon Recreation Pass

Pass/Permit Details

America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass - $80

For visitors to multiple federal sites, including public lands managed the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Forest Service this pass offers unlimited coverage of entrance and standard amenity recreation fees for a year, beginning from the month of purchase. Four Pass types are available including the standard America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass, a $10 lifetime senior pass for U.S. citizens 62 or over, a free lifetime access pass for citizens with permanent disabilities and a new, free annual volunteer pass for volunteers acquiring 500 hours of service on a cumulative basis. The pass is good at vehicle-based entry sites for all occupants in a single, non-commercial vehicle. At walk-up sites, the pass is good for the pass holder and three adults (total of four adults). There is no charge for children under 16. The pass can be obtained in person at the park, by calling 1-888-ASK USGS, Ext. 1, or online here.

Washington and Oregon Recreation Pass - $100

Same benefits as the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass plus 26 Oregon State Parks charging a day-use fee, 23 (of 120) participating Washington State Parks charging launch or trailer dump fees, and 6 Army Corps of Engineers sites charging day-use fees. Note: This pass can also be purchased without the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass for $20. A list of participating sites is available here. The pass can be purchased online, Note: Camping fees are additional.

Northwest Forest Pass - $30 annual/$5 day use

An annual pass honored at all Forest Service day-use or entrance fee sites in Washington and Oregon. A list of fee sites where the Northwest Forest Pass is accepted is available here. The pass is available at National Forest offices and visitor centers, via private vendors or online. Passes may also be purchased at the WTA office or via our online link.

Washington Vehicle Use Permit - Included with Washington Hunting or Fishing License. $10.95 for first permit/$5.45 each additional permit.

Anyone entering or using a WDFW improved access facility is required to display a current WDFW Vehicle Use Permit. Access sites facilities are clearly identified areas specifically created for vehicle parking and recreational use activities. Vehicle Use Permits may designate up to two vehicles for use. License vendors will provide purchasers (free of charge) with a rear view mirror placard for displaying the vehicle use permit. Permits must be placed in full view from outside the vehicle. Please have the license plate number(s) of the vehicle written in the space provided on the permit. For a list of WDFW wildlife areas, click here. For a list of WDFW water access sites, click here. Permits may be purchased by calling 1-866-246-9453, online here or at one of these vendors.

Sno-Park Permits - $30 annual/$5 day use

To park in a non-motorized sports Sno-Park, it is necessary to purchase one (and sometimes two) types of parking permits for your vehicle: a one-day permit, a seasonal permit, and/or a special groomed trails permit. In lieu of a Washington permit, Washington accepts the Idaho Park-n-Ski permit and the Oregon Snow Park permit on vehicles registered in those states. A Washington State licensed vehicle must have a Washington State Sno-Park permit. A list of Sno Park Permit vendors is available here. Sno Park permits are also available online beginning Nov. 1.

Washington Sno-Park permits are accepted in Oregon and Idaho. To find out about Oregon Snow Park sites, contact the Oregon Department of Transportation at (503) 986-3006. For information on Idaho Park-n-Ski lots, call Idaho Parks and Recreation at (208) 334-4199. For a list of Washington Sno-Park locations, click here.

One-Day Permits - $5
One day permits are honored until midnight of the date on the permit at all Sno-Parks including the designated Special Groomed Trails permit areas.

Seasonal Permit - $30

A seasonal permit is transferable between two vehicles, but both vehicles must be registered to individuals in the same household. If both vehicles will be used in the same Sno-Park at the same time, a permit must be purchased for the second vehicle. Purchasing a one-day permit for the second vehicle is an option. Some Sno-Parks require only a seasonal permit for season parking. Others require both the seasonal permit and the special groomed trails permit (sticker) in order to use the designated Sno-Park.

Special Groomed Trails Permits - $30

Additional Permits

Wilderness Regulation Permit

Required to enter the following Wilderness areas on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest: Indian Heaven, Mt. Adams, Goat Rocks, William O. Douglas, Trapper Creek, Tatoosh, and Glacier View. (This includes the portion of the Goat Rocks and William O. Douglas Wildernesses on the Wenatchee National Forest.) Permits are used to collect accurate visitor information. There is no charge for these permits. The self-issuing permits are mandatory and are available at all trailheads leading into these Wildernesses, and (to take to the trailhead) at the Packwood and Naches Ranger Stations.

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Permit

All visitors to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness from May 15 to October 31 need a permit. Day-use visitors may obtain a free, self-issue permit at ranger stations and trailheads. A copy of the permit is carried with you and a portion is deposited in the box at the trailhead.

Enchantment Area Wilderness Permit - Including Enchantment Lakes, Stuart, Colchuck, Snow and Eightmile Lakes Area

Overnight Wilderness permits are required from June 15 to October 15. To obtain a permit application, call the Wenatchee River Ranger District’s Leavenworth office at (509) 548-2550 or click here for more information.

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