Camping Permits

This content was last updated on 2025 January 26th

The only permit needed for the PCT in Washington

The topic of permits gets unnecessarily confusing when people call the self-issued "permits" found at every trailhead "permits". Those "permits" are very important to fill out because they provide data that can get funding for trail maintenance. But when people ask about permits they usually are asking about something they need to acquire prior to heading to the trailhead, or something they need to pay for.

Where is the permit needed?

The only part of the PCT in Washington that requires a "real" permit to camp is the part within the boundary of North Cascades National Park (NCNP) Complex.

The PCT is in the NCNP Complex for 17.2 miles (between mm 2573 and mm 2591). South-to-north you enter the complex from Glacier Peak Wilderness at mm 2573. After briefly entering the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, 3.4 miles later you enter the National Park at mm 2576.7, north of Howard Lake. You exit it at mm 2591, when you are between the peaks of Rainy Benchmark (west) and Stiletto Peak (east) you exit the complex and enter the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

If you visit the town of Stehekin, you are still in the Lake Chelan NRA thus still in the North Cascades National Park Complex.

The only designated campsites between Rainy Pass and the southern park boundary are in the park boundary. That is a 20.5 mile distance between camping options if you have no permit. Permit Map

PCTA Long Distance Permit

If you are planning to hike all of Washington in one continuous path, then you should get a Long Distance Permit from the PCTA. 500 miles is the minimum distance for a long distance permit. That permit will cover only two campsites in the NCNP:

  • Six Mile Camp is reserved exclusively for PCTA long-distance permit holders.
  • Bridge Creek Camp is a valid site for long distance permit holders.

NCNP Backcountry Camping Permit

If you do not have a long distance permit then you will need a Backcountry permit issued by the NCNP. On your start date you must pick up your permit by 11:00 AM or it will be canceled. Dates for a permit cannot be moved, you need to cancel and get a new permit. Maximum group size in the park is 12 people.

1. Lottery

In 2025 60% of the NCNP Backcountry Permits will be distributed by online lottery beginning March 3rd 2025. (Note that reservations can only be made for camping dates between May 16th 2025 and October 11th. All other dates require walk-up permits.)

2. FCFS Reservations

Any remaining permits are open for reservation starting April 29th 2025 on a first-come-first-serve basis.

3. Walk-ups

Starting May 16th 2025 the remaining 40% of permits are available for walk-ups at any of the Wilderness Information Centers. You can get a walk-up permit up to two days before your start date.

! WALK-UP PERMITS ARE NOT ISSUED IN STEHEKIN. The only locations to get a permit are Sedro-Woolley, Marblemount, Newhalem, and Glacier. The main backcountry permit office is the one at 7280 Ranger Station Rd, Marblemount, WA just off SR20.

Campsites on the PCT in the NCNP

Every campsite on the PCT within NCNP has a bear box.

  • Fireweed Camp [4.68] miles from the Rainy Pass parking lot (6,6)
  • Hideaway Camp [5.33 miles] (12)
  • South Fork Camp [7.03 miles] (4,4)
  • Six Mile Camp [8.62 miles] ***PCTA Permit holders only***
  • North Fork Camp [11 miles] (4,12)
  • Bridge Creek Camp [14 miles] (4,4,4,4,8,12,12) ***PCTA Permit holders allowed***
  • Shady Camp [15 miles] (8)
  • Tumwater Camp [17.2 miles] (6,6) is not on the PCT, but is on a road that runs parallel to the PCT and connects with High Bridge and connects with the PCT at mm 2577.15 via the Old Wagon Road.
  • High Bridge Campground [18.5 miles] (4,12)

Planning / Strategy

It is not uncommon for northbound hikers to camp just outside the park border, then do a 20.5 mile day to Rainy Pass to avoid camping within the park. Or, if you plan to visit Stehekin, you can camp at Purple Point Campground. That campground requires a reservation but not a backcountry camping permit. (See the Resupply page for information about catching the bus to Stehekin).

The elevation gain from High Bridge Station to Rainy Pass is 6,247 ft. northbound, 2,960 ft. southbound. So a one-dayer southbound is a lot easier than northbound.

Also note that you can cut 1.5 miles by using the Bridge Creek Trailhead to access Highway 20 instead of the Rainy Pass Trailhead, if you are meeting a ride.

Alternate routes to Canada

If the PCT route to Canada is closed for any reason (like fires), and hikers still want to touch the border, a permit may or may not be needed. The Ross Lake route is within the NCNP Complex so requires a permit. That route is described in detail in a separate dedicated page on pctwashington.com. Routes east of the Ross Lake Recreation Area do not require a permit.

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