Grand Canyon Back-country Permits

When you are planning any activity that requires you to remain in the Park overnight, you are required to obtain a Back-country Permit.

Activities that require back-country permits

Hiking overnight with or without a Guided Hiking Tour
Cross-Country Ski trips that will last overnight
Horseback Riding (Guided Horseback Tours included) with camping overnight
Overnight camping outside of specified developed campground areas
River rafting, including river rafting tours, that requires you to overnight in the Park

How to get a back-country permit to the Grand Canyon

Permits may be obtained by going to the Back-country Information Center at the Grand Canyon National Park. You may fax in requests, mail them in or get them at the office only – no requests are handled by phone or email or texting.

It takes approximately 21 days to process your application and returned to you by mail, so be sure to turn in your application request well enough in advance of your planned trip.

Back-country Information Centers

South Rim
Open daily 8:00 a.m. – noon and 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

North Rim
Open daily 8:00 a.m. – noon and 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Mid-May – mid-October or later, depending on weather

Contact for both Rims

www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm

Telephone: 928-638-7875

1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday only
Fax: 928-638-2125

Mail: Backcountry Information Center
P .O. Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Cost of the Permit

Each Permit – $10.00
Per Person Camping Below Rim: $5.00
Above Rim Camping Groups: $5.00

How to get a copy of the permit request

www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm

Download the form and return it as soon as possible or as close as is acceptable to the Back-country Information Center.

Important Information:

How Soon Should You Turn in Your Permit Request?

The Back-country Information Center processes permits no sooner than 4 months before the intended dates.

However, they only issue permits by mail which can take up to 3 weeks to process and arrive so, except for a few, first-come-first-served basis, campground permits to walk up visitors, it is important that individuals planning to do major overnight activities within the park plan their activities ahead of time.

Please see the above site for more information about the Back-country Permits – as rules and information may change periodically.