Wilderness Camping Permits
Wilderness Camping Permits are required for all
overnight stays in the Olympic National Park backcountry.
Wilderness Camping Permits are used to track the
numbers of visitors in different areas to prevent over crowding and
resource damage. Wilderness permits are also used to locate overdue or
lost parties. If you have not filled out a permit, searchers may not
know where to start looking for you.
During 1999, almost 50,000 people backpacked in
Olympic National Park. Many wilderness visitors are unaware of the
impacts their actions might have on plants, wildlife, water quality
(human waste), and other visitors.
In order to protect the wild character of the
Olympic Wilderness for future generations, The National Park Service
wishes to increase its education efforts.
Because trailhead or road signs have proven to be
an ineffective educational tool, the goal is to have a personal contact
with all of Olympic's wilderness visitors in order to discuss food
storage, Leave No Trace camping, human waste concerns, safety issues,
trail conditions, etc.
Beginning May 1, 2001, permits will be
available at the WIC in Port Angeles and some staffed ranger stations
during business hours only. You may contact the WIC at the
following address:
Olympic National Park
Wilderness Information Center
600 East Park Avenue
Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360) 565-3100
Quotas
Overnight quotas are in effect for a number of
high-use wilderness camp areas to help minimize resource impacts and
provide a quality wilderness experience.
- Quota areas are: Ozette Coast, Grand and
Badger Valleys, Royal Basin, Lake Constance, Flapjack Lakes, Sol Duc/Seven
Lakes Basin area.
- Permits for Grand Valley, Badger Valley and
all Hurricane Ridge area trips must be obtained through the WIC.
- If you will be camping in a quota area, you must
obtain your permit at the WIC or a staffed ranger station during
business hours.
Within quota areas:
- Camping is permitted only in designated sites.
- Campsites are not individually assigned but are
available to permit holders on a first come, first served basis.
- Deviation from your permit itinerary is not
allowed, except in cases of emergency.
Reservations
Reservations for permits may be made no more than 30
days in advance for trips between May 1 and September 30 by
calling the WIC. A reservation is not a permit. Reserved permits for
quota areas must be picked up at the WIC or a staffed ranger station
during business hours.
- Ozette Coast............Advance reservations are
required for backcountry trips between May 1 and September 31.
- Grand Valley (Obstruction Pt. to Grand Pass
including Lake Lillian), Badger Valley, Royal Basin, Sol Duc/Seven
Lakes Basin, Lake Constance, Flapjack lakes.............50% advance
reservations available but not required.
- Hoh ............Reservations are available for
group sites (sites for 7-12 persons) and stock sites only.
Wilderness Use Fee
Wilderness use fees help support wilderness
management projects like trail maintenance, backcountry bridge
replacement, pit toilets, revegetation projects and the WIC.
In 1997, based on Congressional direction, Olympic
National Park began charging fees for overnight stays in the wilderness.
Eighty percent of the fees collected are returned directly to the park
for wilderness management projects. The other twenty percent goes to
parks that do not charge fees.
Olympic's wilderness also provides many free
eco-services.
Wilderness Use Fee:
$5 to register for a permit to camp overnight in the wilderness (for
groups up to 12 people), plus $2 per person per night.
There is no nightly charge for youth 16 years of
age and under. Annual passes are available for frequent visitors for
$30; $15 for each additional household member. Discounts associated with
Golden Age and Golden Access Cards apply.
Maximum rates:
$50.00 for trips up of to 14 nights with a party of up to 6 people
$100.00 for trips of up to 14 nights with groups of 7-12 people
How to pay:
The WIC in Port Angeles, accepts Visa and Mastercard, checks and cash.
At ranger stations where wilderness permits are available, Wilderness
Use Fees may be paid by cash or check only. At self-registration
trailheads register boxes contain envelopes (with printed
instructions), which are are stapled to blank permits. Upon completion
of your outing, mail your payment in the envelope. Do not
leave payment in trailhead permit boxes.
U.S. Forest Service Northwest Forest Passes:
US Forest Service Northwest Forest Passes are required when parking at
Olympic National Forest trailheads. Some areas of Olympic
National Park are accessed by trails originating in Forest
Service areas. Both Park Service and Forest Service registration and fee
procedures may apply. Northwest Forest Passes are available at all
Olympic National Forest offices and a number of commercial
outlets. The fee is $5 per vehicle per day. An annual Trail Park Pass is
available for $30, good for a calendar year. Call (360) 956-2400 for
more information.
Additional Fees:
$1........... Daily parking fee at Ozette
trailhead
$10......... Seven Day Entrance Pass. Entrance fees are charged at
Staircase, Hurricane, Elwha, Sol Duc and the Hoh.
$20......... Annual Park Entrance Pass, good for 12 months
from issue
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