If you’re wondering how this new Central Cascades Wilderness Permit System might impact your summer plans, here’s a quick guide to everything you need to know — along with how to secure your own permits as the spring and summer seasons unfold.
Which Trails are Part of the Central Cascades Wilderness Permit System?
Trails throughout the Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington and Three Sisters wilderness areas of the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests will be restricted to permit-holders between May 28 and Sept. 24, 2021. (In future years, a good rule of thumb is to know that permits will generally be required from the Friday before Memorial Day through the final Friday in September.) In all, 19 trails will require day-use permits, and nearly 80 will require overnight permits.
Some of Central Oregon’s most popular trails will be restricted — including Devils Lake, South Sister, Scott Trail, the Obsidian Trail, Green Lakes and Soda Creek, Broken Top, Black Crater, and Tam MacArthur Rim. The U.S. Forest Service has produced an FAQ (PDF) that lists every impacted trail, along with whether day-use or overnight permits are required (or both).
How Many Day-use and Overnight Permits Will Be Issued Per Day?
Day-use permits are issued on a per-person basis — so the Broken Top Trail, with 40 day-use permits available on any given day, is limited to exactly 40 hikers per day. Different trails will have different capacities; 12 day-use permits will be available each day for the Scott Trail, for instance, while the South Sister Climber Trail will be capped at 100 hikers per day.
Overnight permits are a different story; anywhere between three and 17 overnight permits will be issued for each of the 79 impacted trails on any given day — but one overnight permit covers a group of up to 12 hikers and backpackers.
When Will Day-use and Overnight Permits Be Made Available?
Reservations for day-use and overnight permits will open at 7 a.m. April 6, 2021. In future years, permit reservations will go live the first Tuesday in April.
Note that only some permits will be made available on April 6.
For overnight permits, 40% of a trail’s full season will be made available on April 6; the remaining 60% will be available on a seven-day rolling window as the season opens up. So if you want to spend a night on the Obsidian Trail on August 8 —but miss out on an overnight permit when it’s made available on April 6 — you can angle for additional permits starting on August 1.
For day-use permits, 20-50% of a trail’s full season will be made available on April 6; the remaining 50-80% will be made available, like the overnight permits, on a seven-day rolling window as the season opens up.
In both cases, the seven-day rolling window allows for more spontaneous travel, giving hikers more choice for planning around weather events, wildfires, and so forth.
How Much do Day-use and Overnight Permits Cost?
Day-use permits cost $1 each, and overnight permits run $6 apiece — though the overnight permit is good for a group of up to 12.
How Can You Secure Permits?
All permits must be purchased through Recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. The following links offer different options for purchasing permits, depending on which permit you’d like (and how far in advance you’d like to purchase):
-
- Central Cascades Wilderness Permit — Day-use
- Central Cascades Wilderness Overnight Permits — Full Season in Advance (available April 6, 2021)
- Central Cascades Wilderness Overnight Permits — Seven Days in Advance (available on a seven-day rolling window)
What Happens If You Can’t Secure a Permit?
If you can’t secure a permit, don’t hike your desired trail without one; Forest Service rangers will monitor trail usage this spring and summer, and they may choose to issue citations that run $200 or more.
If you can’t secure a permit, consider finding an alternate trail. Here are a few suggestions (note that other types of recreation passes may be required):
West Metolius River Trail: A footpath hugs the banks of the West Metolius River, passing springtime wildflowers and cutting through ponderosa pine forests before arriving at the Wizard Falls Hatchery.
LaPine State Park: Several miles of trails crisscross the popular LaPine State Park (just outside La Pine), with paths passing through forests of pine, hugging the Deschutes River, and offering views of surrounding Cascade peaks.
Whychus Creek Scenic Overlook: An easy, wheelchair-accessible trail arrives at an overlook that affords views of the Three Sisters, as well as the Whychus Creek Wild and Scenic River area. A longer trail can turn the hike into a loop that affords additional mountain viewpoints.
Other stories
More inspiring stories, adventures, and tips & tricks for planning and experiencing the best Central Oregon has to offer.
-
The Three Sisters Mountains in Oregon
On a clear day from viewpoints throughout Central Oregon, the Three Sisters mountains command attention as the gorgeous snow-capped peaks seen to the west. Each of this trio of volcanic peaks reaches more than 10,000 feet in elevation, and have become a part of Central Oregon culture. The Three Sisters draw visitors seeking mountain climbers hoping to ascend the peaks, those seeking nearby hiking, camping and mountain biking, landscape photographers and anyone who appreciates a gorgeous view.
-
Local's Guide to the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway
Views of the Cascade Range abound all over Central Oregon, but are never more dramatic than from along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway—a seasonal highway that heads southwest of Bend and into the heart of the mountains. Along the way, visitors can swim or paddle in more than a dozen alpine lakes, admire views of the snow-capped peaks that seem to rise from their shorelines, camp under starry night skies and traverse some of the region’s best-loved hiking trails.
-
Devils Lake
The 23-acre Devils Lake sits where the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway turns south—and while it's far from the largest reservoir in the area, Devils Lake offers an abundance of adventure for outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes.
-
Elk Lake
The 400-acre Elk Lake is one of the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway's most popular stops—with experiences geared toward day-trippers and overnight visitors alike. Best of all: Mount Bachelor and the Three Sisters dominate the horizon wherever you enjoy the lake, providing some of the area's most scenic views.
-
Sparks Lake
Sparks Lake is one of the first alpine lakes that visitors come to along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway—and is among the most iconic destinations anywhere in Central Oregon. At various points around the lake, views include Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top, and (most famously) South Sister—the tallest peak in the region and the third-tallest in all of Oregon.
-
Todd Lake
Todd Lake is the first pond that visitors come to when following the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway out of Bend—and the highest-elevation lake along the route—and offers a dramatic introduction to the region's natural wonders. Just a half hour from downtown, Todd Lake is a beautiful destination in its own right—but also makes a popular jumping-off point for popular trails in the surrounding Three Sisters Wilderness. The 45-acre Todd Lake sits within a glacial cirque that likely formed up to 13,000 years ago. It sits surrounded by alpine meadows and forests of fir—and makes a lovely place to go picnicking on warm, sunny days. A 1.7-mile, mostly flat loop trail circles the lake while showcasing occasional views of Broken Top and Mount Bachelor—both of which seem close enough to touch. (Listen for the song of the Western toad and the ribbit of the Cascades frog, both of which call Todd Lake home.) Those wishing to extend their stay can pitch a tent at three walk-in sites that offer picturesque lake views. From Todd Lake, hikers can enter the Three Sisters Wilderness and access some of Central Oregon's most popular trails and destinations—including the Soda Creek Trail, Green Lakes, and Broken Top. Anyone hiking those trails between June 15 and October 15 must have a Central Cascades Wilderness Permit before setting off."
-
Elk Lake Campground
Elk Lake Campground hosts 22 campsites near the northwestern shore of its namesake lake—and offers a low-key, laid-back overnight stay. In all, 18 nonelectric sites throughout the campground accommodate RVs and trailers—while four tent-only sites sit near the shore and offer partial lake views through stands of ponderosa pine. Each site at the hillside campground comes with a campfire ring and picnic table, and broader amenities include potable water and vault toilets. Away from the sites, Elk Lake Campground hosts a boat launch for motorized and non-motorized craft; paddlers and boaters alike enjoy watching for wildlife along the lakeshore (including black bears, porcupines, and deer) and savoring pristine views of Mount Bachelor and the Three Sisters. On a clear night, the campground's remote location offers ideal conditions for stargazing. The campground is typically open between late May and mid-September; reservations are available through Recreation.gov and are available on a six-month rolling basis.
-
Broken Top Crater, A Lake with a View
Broken Top is one of Central Oregon’s most iconic mountains – it’s jagged peaks are recognizable from miles away. Luckily for the adventure-bound folks, it’s also a very accessible peak with a unique reward at the top: a magnificent alpine lake.