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The dates campers and hikers miss: permit lottery windows, national park fee-free days, seasonal permits and hunting draw deadlines. Each date links to the official source.
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Confirmed means the official site has published this date for this year. Expected means it hasn't been announced yet; we show the last published schedule so you can plan, and update it when the agency confirms.
1 Nov – 31 Dec 2026
ConfirmedSeasonal permitNational
Permits are on sale on Recreation.gov at many national forests. Each forest sets its own sale and cutting dates. See our guide for how it works.
Source: USDA Forest Service (example: Mt. Hood) ↗ · Our guide · Add to Google Calendar · .ics
Wed 11 Nov 2026
ConfirmedFee-free dayNational
Free entrance at fee-charging national parks for US citizens and residents. Timed-entry or reservation fees may still apply.
Source: NPS: fee-free days ↗ · Add to Google Calendar · .ics
Wed 11 Nov 2026
ConfirmedFree fishing dayNew York
No freshwater fishing licence needed statewide; other fishing rules still apply. One of New York's six free fishing days in 2026.
Source: NY DEC ↗ · Add to Google Calendar · .ics
27 Nov – 28 Nov 2026
ConfirmedFree fishing dayOregon
No fishing licence or tags needed for these two days; all other regulations apply.
Source: ODFW ↗ · Add to Google Calendar · .ics
December 2026 · exact dates not announced
ExpectedAnnouncementNational
NPS usually publishes the next year's fee-free days in December. The 2026 list was: Feb 16, May 25, Jun 14, Jul 3–5, Aug 25, Sep 17, Oct 27 and Nov 11. The 2027 list may differ.
Source: NPS: fee-free days ↗ · No calendar file until the date is announced
February 2027 · exact dates not announced
ExpectedPermit lotteryWashington
An annual February lottery on Recreation.gov for overnight permits (required May 15 to Oct 31). The Forest Service says the year's exact dates are posted in January.
Source: Okanogan-Wenatchee NF ↗ · No calendar file until the date is announced
February 2027 · exact dates not announced
ExpectedPermit lotteryUtah
Not announced yet. In 2026 the spring lottery ran Feb 13–25 (announced Feb 11).
Source: Zion NP: 2026 lottery dates ↗ · No calendar file until the date is announced
1 Feb – 1 Mar 2027
ExpectedPermit lotteryCalifornia
Inyo National Forest's published schedule: apply Feb 1 to Mar 1. Results Mar 15, claim by Apr 21, then unclaimed dates open Apr 22. Confirm the 2027 dates on Recreation.gov.
Source: Recreation.gov: Mt. Whitney ↗ · Add to Google Calendar · .ics
13 Feb – 14 Feb 2027
ExpectedFree fishing dayMichigan
Michigan holds it on the Saturday and Sunday of Presidents Day weekend; fishing licences are waived for the weekend.
Source: Michigan DNR ↗ · Add to Google Calendar · .ics
March 2027 · exact dates not announced
ExpectedHunting & fishingColorado
Not announced yet. In 2026 applications ran Mar 1 to Apr 7 (8 pm MT); in 2025 the deadline was Apr 1.
Source: Colorado Parks & Wildlife ↗ · No calendar file until the date is announced
1 Mar – 31 Mar 2027
ExpectedPermit lotteryCalifornia
Yosemite's published window is March 1–31 (Eastern time), with results in mid-April. 225 permits a day go to this lottery.
Source: Yosemite NP: Half Dome permits ↗ · Add to Google Calendar · .ics
Mon 15 Mar 2027
ExpectedPermit lotteryCalifornia
Per Recreation.gov's published schedule. Winners must claim and pay by Apr 21.
Source: Recreation.gov: Mt. Whitney ↗ · Add to Google Calendar · .ics
1 Apr – 20 Apr 2027
ExpectedPermit lotteryUtah
Based on the 2026 schedule (Apr 1–20). Confirm when Zion announces 2027 dates.
Source: Zion NP: 2026 lottery dates ↗ · Add to Google Calendar · .ics
21 Apr – 22 Apr 2027
ExpectedPermit lotteryCalifornia
Claim and pay by Apr 21; unclaimed dates open for reservations on Apr 22, per Recreation.gov's published schedule.
Source: Recreation.gov: Mt. Whitney ↗ · Add to Google Calendar · .ics
Sat 5 Jun 2027
ExpectedFree fishing dayTexas
Held on the first Saturday in June: fish any public water in Texas without a licence. (Fishing is free year-round inside Texas state parks; park entry fees apply.)
Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife ↗ · Add to Google Calendar · .ics
5 Jun – 6 Jun 2027
ExpectedFree fishing dayColorado
Held the first full weekend of June; licence and Habitat Stamp waived. Park entry fees still apply.
Source: Colorado Parks & Wildlife ↗ · Add to Google Calendar · .ics
12 Jun – 13 Jun 2027
ConfirmedFree fishing dayWashington
No licence needed for most species (not shellfish, salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or halibut). Washington state parks are usually free that weekend too.
Source: WDFW ↗ · Add to Google Calendar · .ics
19 Jun – 20 Jun 2027
ExpectedFree fishing dayMichigan
The Saturday and Sunday after the first full week of June, under Michigan DNR's standing schedule.
Source: Michigan DNR ↗ · Add to Google Calendar · .ics
1 Jul – 20 Jul 2027
ExpectedPermit lotteryUtah
Based on the 2026 schedule (Jul 1–20, permits issued Jul 25).
Source: Zion NP: Angels Landing permits ↗ · Add to Google Calendar · .ics
1 Oct – 20 Oct 2027
ExpectedPermit lotteryUtah
Based on the 2026 schedule (Oct 1–20, permits issued Oct 25).
Source: Zion NP: Angels Landing permits ↗ · Add to Google Calendar · .ics
Every day
Permit lotteryUtah
Apply 12:01 am to 3 pm MT the day before your hike; permits issued at 4 pm MT. $6 application, $3 per person if selected.
Source: Zion NP ↗
Every day the cables are up
Permit lotteryCalifornia
A smaller number of day-hike permits are offered by lottery two days in advance.
Source: Yosemite NP ↗
Every month
Permit lotteryArizona / Utah
The advance lottery is for trips about four months ahead; a separate daily lottery covers the rest. Check BLM for the current month's window.
Source: BLM: Coyote Buttes North ↗
Agencies, event organisers and outfitters can send a date with its official source. We check every one.
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Rules, dates and fees are set by each agency and can change. Always confirm on the official site before you apply or travel. Recreation.org is independent and not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any agency.
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A heads-up before the big permit lotteries open (Half Dome, Mt Whitney, Angels Landing and more), free park days and seasonal permits. A few emails a season. Unsubscribe anytime.
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Lottery openings, campsite release dates and seasonal permit reminders. Free, a few emails a season.
