The Deschutes and Willamette National Forests announced that reservations for the Central Cascades Wilderness Permit system will begin April 2. Central Cascades Wilderness Permits are required for all overnight use within the Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington, and Three Sisters Wilderness areas from June 15 through Oct. 15.
At 7 a.m. (PDT) Tuesday, April 2, 2024, 40% of Central Cascades Wilderness Permits will be available for advanced reservation on Recreation.gov. The remaining 60% of wilderness overnight permits will be available through a rolling 7-day window on Recreation.gov once permit season begins. Overnight permits are not available at local Forest Service offices or outside of the reservation system.
All reservations for Central Cascades Wilderness Permits must be made through Recreation.gov either online, via the Recreation.gov app on Google Android & Apple iOS devices, or by calling 1-877-444-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777. Search for “Central Cascades Wilderness.” Overnight trips can be up to 13 nights (14-day maximum) with groups no larger than 12 individuals. The processing fee for a permit is $6.00, and availability is based on the start date and trailhead.
Day use permits are required for 19 of 79 trails within the Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington, and Three Sisters Wilderness areas during permit season. However, day use permits do not have advanced reservations ahead of the season. Day use permits will be opened for reservation in a 10-day and 2-day rolling window beginning on June 15, 2024. Permits for the 10-day rolling window will be 40% of the permit quota while the 2-day rolling window will be 60% of the permit quota.
For more information, log onto www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=fseprd688355. For specific questions, email sm.fs.ccwp@usda.gov.