First, request a Grand Canyon Backcountry Permit Reservation Form. To get a permit form you can do one of three things:

1. Mail a request to the Backcountry Office:

Backcountry Office
PO Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

2. FAX your Backcountry Permit form request to the Backcountry Office at 928-638-2125. OR

3. Download a Backcountry Permit Request form in PDF format.
(Need Acrobat Reader? It's free. Get it HERE.)

Second, complete the permit request form. Be aware that demand for Grand Canyon Backcountry Permits is enormous. You need to know Grand Canyon use areas to complete the permit application. Use Areas are listed on these maps:

• Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Use Area Map (PDF Format)
• Trails Illustrated map of Grand Canyon National Park.

Third, Mail or FAX your completed permit request form, along with the appropriate Backcountry Use Fee, to the Backcountry Office (address above).

Follow these tips to increase your odds of obtaining a permit:

1. Do not plan your travel first! Get your permit with a broad request (such as, any day(s) in a month) - then book your airline and lodging reservations.
2. Submit your permit request as early as possible. You may submit a permit request up to 4 months prior to the desired start date for your trip. Check our Permit Request Timetable for the earliest you can submit your backcountry permit application.
3. Specify more than one possible itinerary. If possible, each alternate itinerary should put you in a different use area.
4. Be flexible on dates. If your schedule permits, tell the rangers you will accept alternate dates and alternate trip lengths.
5. Be flexible on trails. If possible, tell the rangers you will accept alternate trail choices.