New system to debut in 2024 to reserve backcountry camping permits for Grand Canyon National Park
Travelers who want to camp in the backcountry of the Grand Canyon will now have an easier way to reserve their spot to do so.
The National Park Service announced that 2024 will see the launch of a new online reservation system on Recreation.gov, which will allow campers to reserve and pay for their spots ahead of time. As if right now, campers who desire to stay in campgrounds outside of the North Rim or South Rim have to acquire a permit from the Backcountry Information Center. This entails filling out a form and submitting it.
The National Park Service believes that the improved system will help to “streamline the backcountry permitting process.”
“Moving our backcountry permits to Recreation.gov has many important advantages for the public and our staff,” Park Superintendent Ed Keable said in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure. “We are pleased to be able to offer this improved system that will allow for improved visitor planning and experience.”
When the system goes live, reservations can be requested up to four months in advance as part of the early access lottery. Permits will cost $10 per permit or lottery application. There will also be a $12 nightly charge per person for camping above rim areas and $4 per person for above rim areas. Permit applications are currently $10 and travelers have to pay $12 per person each night for camping below and above the rim.
Wait times will also be alleviated with the new system, according to the NPS, which currently takes up to a month.
Over 12,400 backcountry camping permits were issued by the NPS last year. Last minute permits are also issued – only in small numbers – for access to Havasupai Gardens, Bright Angel and the Cottonwood Campgrounds.
Roshae Hemmings is an arts and culture magazine journalist from St. Louis, MO. A graduate from the Missouri School of Journalism, Roshae has bylines in the Columbia Missourian, Vox Magazine and 5280 Magazine discussing topics ranging from pop culture, social justice and eat and drink. She is a foodie at heart and enjoys eating food as much as learning about the story behind it. You can reach Roshae via email at roshaehemmings@detourxp.com.