Back to Wilderness Hub | How to Modify | Permit Pickup

Typically, our office will review wilderness permit reservations within two business days. It’s important to monitor your email inbox for communication from us, as we may contact you if adjustments to your itinerary are needed.

Permit Status

After you make a reservation, monitor your permit status on Recreation.gov. Learn about each status below.

Your permit status lets you know whether or not changes are need to your itinerary. Along with updating your permit status, our office will email you with information regarding your reservation, and possible changes that need to be made.

Reserved

Our office has yet to review your proposed itinerary or any modifications you might’ve made.

➡️ If you just made your reservation or made modifications, give us two business days, then check back for an updated Permit Status.
➡️Has it already been two business days? Contact us to follow up!

Reserved-Reviewed

Our office has reviewed and approved your proposed itinerary; no changes are currently required.

➡️ Check your email inbox for important information regarding your upcoming trip.
➡️ Make sure you are prepared for your wilderness trip and know how to be a steward of the wilderness!

Reserved-In Review

Our office has reviewed your proposed itinerary and modifications must be made before we can approve your reservation.

➡️ Check your email inbox for an email explaining what changes need to be made and why, how to make changes, and the deadline to do so.
➡️ You have five business days from our initial contact to make the necessary changes to your reservation.
➡️ During this period of time, we will follow-up to try to assist you if no changes have been made.
➡️ If no changes are made in the allotted timeframe, your reservation runs the risk of cancelation. Permit fees are non-refundable.

Example In-Review Itinerary

From the example included on ‘Where can I camp?’:

You decide on the Buena Vista Lake Loop from Chilnualna Falls trailhead over four days.

You want a short first day leading up to your 30-mile loop.

You decide hiking to and camping just before the top of Chilnualna Falls* sounds like a good start for your trip. So you indicate this in the comments section of your reservation, confirm and pay.

Source: National Geographic

*This is in the no-camping zone. You’ll have to hike a bit further before looking for a place to camp.

We’d contact you to modify your itinerary.

 

Reservation Modifications

Modifications to your reservation can be made through your Recreation.gov account.

How to Modify

To modify your reservation, log in to Recreation.gov, go to “Reservations” and select “Modify” on the reservation you want to make changes to. You can also select “View Reservation” and then select “Modify Reservation” from that screen.

Cannot be modified at any point

❌ Wilderness permit reservations are non-transferrable. The primary permit holder cannot be modified.

 

❌ Alternate permit holders can only be designated before payment. It’s not possible to change or add alternate permit holders after a lottery application is submitted or after a reservation is made.

 

❌ It’s not currently possible to change your entry date. If you want to enter the wilderness on different day, you must make a new reservation.

Can be modified up to three days in advance, subject to availability

⚠️ Your entry point can be modified, subject to availability up to three days before your entry date.

 

⚠️ Your group size can be increased, subject to availability, up to three days before your entry date. Increasing your group size will incur additional fees. The fee is $5/person

Can be modified until permit is issued

✅ Your group size can be decreased up until your permit is issued. If you decrease your group size, the quota will be made available to other. Permit fees are non-refundable. If you increase your group size, the fee is $5/person.

✅ Your exit trailhead can be modified up until your permit is issued. Changes to your itinerary are subject to review and approval. Your exit date can be modified up until your permit is issued. From May 1 through September 15, camping is limited to a total of 14 days.

✅ Your camp area selection and the corresponding first night’s camp location can be modified up until your permit is issued. Changes to your itinerary are subject to review and approval.

✅ Your issuing station can be modified before your permit is issued. You can pick up your permit at any open wilderness center, regardless of what you select on your reservation.