The Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center transitioned to an online reservation system through recreation.gov on March 18.
The new online reservation system allows backpackers to check the availability of sites in real time, plan their trip and receive immediate confirmation, and streamline the park’s wilderness permit reservations.
In addition to the online option, wilderness permit reservation requests can be submitted in person at a park Wilderness Information Center during business hours. A third option for phone reservations will be functional by late April. This option will allow users to call the recreation.gov call center at 877-444-6777 to obtain a reservation.
Reservations are strongly encouraged when planning trips that include one or more nights to quota areas and group sites: Quota Areas — Ozette Coast (Yellow Banks to Point of the Arches); Royal Basin/Royal Lake; Lake Constance; Upper Lena Lake; Flapjack Lakes (including Gladys Divide); Grand Valley and Badger Valley; Sol Duc/Seven Lakes Basin; Hoh Lake and CB Flats; Hoh River Trail group sites; and Upper Hoh River Trail sites (Elk Lake, Glacier Meadows, Martin Creek).
“The new online system is more efficient, convenient and allows more time for our wilderness information specialists to answer questions and assist with trip planning,” Olympic National Park superintendent Sarah Creachbaum said.
The fee for online, phone or in person reservations will be $6 in addition to the regular permit fees. Wilderness Permit fees are $8 per person, per night for individuals 16 or older.
Annual Wilderness Passes are $45 per person (annual flat rate) that covers regular permit fees for the pass holder.
Commercial Use Authorization permit holders and Special Use Permit holders will be required to have a recreation.gov account which will be set up and administered by WIC staff.
For more information about wilderness permits and backpacking in Olympic National Park, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wilderness-trip-planner.htm.
