Embedded Files
Paperwork
Paperwork
There is a lot of paperwork you may need to consider, depending on where you are going and what you plan to do.
Trip Itinerary
Trip Itinerary
Itinerary includes trip plan and emergency information.
Must include:
Map marked with
Parking site(s)
Camp(s)
Routes
Special events (places of interest)
Emergency Evac Point(s)
Location of Camp(s)
Primary and Secondary locations
Include coordinates
Routes
Expected times at each leg of trip
Departure Times
Parking Times
Camp Times
Resupply Times
Special Event Times
Emergency Contact Numbers:
Satellite Messenger Service
Parents, Spouses and Family
Emergency Unit Leader Contact at home
Trip Leaders
Guide Service
Local Rangers
Local Ski Patrol
Local EMS - BLS (Primary and Secondary)
Local EMS - ALS (Primary and Secondary)
Airlift
Local Police
Search and Rescue (may be more than one servicing area)
Medivac Plan
Primary and secondary hospital for minor injuries
Primary and secondary hospital for major injuries
Ground evac plan
Air evac plan
Medical Forms
Medical Forms
All outings of less than 72 hours require:
All outings of 72 hours or more require:
Special forms and considerations are required for Scout High Adventures Bases:
Medication Forms
Routine Drug Administration Record (official Camp Form - fixed)
Routine Drug Administration Record (simplified Form)
Wilderness Expedition Medicine Notes
Wilderness Expedition First Aid Field Notes
Intended for use by Wilderness First Aid graduates
Wilderness Expedition Medical Provider Field Notes
Intended for use by Medical Providers
Maps
Maps
Maps are generally needed for most outings.
See our Map Page for more on Maps.
These will get you started:
USGS Maps
Find map, download PDF and print
Free USGS maps
Printer friendly version of USGS maps
USFS Maps
data.fs.usda.gov/geodata/rastergateway/states-regions/states.php
FSTopo Map Product Download
Map builder with map overlays including avalanche slopes
Great trail maps
Easy custom printing
Easy to mark trails custom trails
Parking Passes
Parking Passes
Most parking lots with bathrooms require a parking pass. You can often purchase a pass at the parking lot, but may need small bills to put in an envelope.
America the Beautiful Pass
America the Beautiful Pass
Purchase:
Good For:
Forest Service
National Park Service
Fish and Wildlife Service
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
Army Corps of Engineers
Notes:
Military Pass (current or veteran) are now Lifetime and FREE! - get at REI
Senior Pass (62 and older) - annual and lifelong
4th Grade Pass - current 4th Graders
Access Pass for those with Disability
Gold Star Family Free Access Voucher
Annual Northwest Forest Pass
Annual Northwest Forest Pass
USDA Forest Service in Washington and Oregon only
Purchase:
Good For:
Malheur National Forest (no day use fees charged)
Ochoco National Forest (no day use fees charged)
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (no day use fees charged)
Discover Pass
Discover Pass
Purchase:
Good for:
More than 100 developed state parks
More than 350 primitive recreation sites, including campgrounds and picnic areas
Nearly 700 water-access points
Nearly 2,000 miles of designated water and land recreation trails
More than 80 natural areas
More than 30 wildlife areas
Free Days:
Jan. 1 — First Day Hikes; New Year’s Day
Jan. 17 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
March 9 -- Billy Frank Junior's Birthday
March 19 — State Parks’ 108th Birthday
April 22 — Earth Day
June 11 — National Get Outdoors Day
June 12 — Free Fishing Day
June 19 — Juneteenth
Sept. 24 — National Public Lands Day
Oct. 10 -- World Mental Health Day
Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
Nov. 25 — Native American Heritage Day
Notes:
Disabled Veterans dva.wa.gov/discover-pass
Permanent Disability Parking Permit, issued by the Washington State Department of Licensing entitles you to free day use
Sno-Park Pass & Permit Information
Sno-Park Pass & Permit Information
Available for purchase online from Nov. 1 through April 30
Required to park at all Sno-Parks between Dec. 1 and March 31 for winter recreation activities
Purchase:
Notes:
Special Groomed Trails Permits:
$70/season add-on
Cabin Creek
Chiwawa
Crystal Springs
Hyak
Lake Easton
Lake Wenatchee
Mount Spokane
Nason Ridge
National Wildlife Refuges (NWR)
National Wildlife Refuges (NWR)
Areas of concern:
NisquallyNWR
Dungeness NWR
Ridgefield NWR
Notes:
Pay at trailhead or visitor center
These can also be used:
Interagency Annual, Access and Senior passes (America the Beautiful Pass)
Federal Duck Stamp pass
National Parks Permits
National Parks Permits
Permits and Reservations
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park
A permit is required year-round for all overnight stays in the backcountry. A wilderness permit allows the permit holder and their group to camp in a designated camp or area. A climbing permit is required for travel above 10,000 feet or on glaciers. Permits must be obtained in person at a wilderness information center or visitor center. Advance reservations are available for peak season (June-September) on Recreation.gov.
nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/wilderness-permit.htm
recreation.gov/permits/4675317
Because demand for trips on the Wonderland Trail and high-use climbing routes exceeds capacity during peak periods, an optional early-access lottery is available.
Early Access Lottery: February
General Reservations: April
Walk-up Permits: day of or day before their trip starts
Note: You must activate your permit reservation in-person at a visitor center up to 24 hours before your trip starts.
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park
Early access lottery applications accepted start in early March
Early Access Lottery: Apply to get an advantage in the reservation process. Being selected in the lottery does not reserve your desired trip, instead you are assigned a priority date when you can try to book your reservation.
Early Access Lottery: March
General Reservations: April
Walk-up Permits: May-Oct North Cascades Wilderness Information Center
nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/backcountry-reservations.htm
recreation.gov/permits/4675322
Note: You must activate your permit by either going in-person to the Wilderness Information Center near Marblemount the day before your trip or the morning of your trip (before 11:00 a.m.). Or, if your trip is in an area without an open visitor center, you must email the ranger district the day before your trip.
https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/permits.htm
Winter:
The Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount is closed for the winter, but backcountry permits are required year round. Until they reopen in May, physical self-issue permits will be available outside the ranger stations in Marblemount and Stehekin, or you can submit your permit via email.
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park
Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance of the reservation date, on a rolling basis year-round
nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wilderness-reservations.htm
recreation.gov/permits/4098362
Reservations to camp at many coastal and lower elevation areas in Olympic National Park are available all year long
High Elevation Reservations like the Seven Lakes Basin are limited to a shorter summer season (typically mid-July until mid-October).
U.S. Forest Service Lands Permits
U.S. Forest Service Lands Permits
Day-use visitors to many Wilderness areas may need to fill-out a free, self-issue permit at ranger stations and trailheads. Carry a copy of the permit with you and deposit a portion in the box at the trailhead.
Permits and Reservations
Trailhead Parking
Trailhead Parking
To park at a USFS trailhead in Washington with developed facilities (toilet, picnic table, etc.) you must either display a Northwest Forest Pass that is separate from any applicable overnight permit.
National Forest Recreation Day Pass and ePass
Northwest Forest Pass
America the Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass
Wilderness Camping Permits
Wilderness Camping Permits
To backpack or overnight camp in some delicate or popular places, like the Enchantments in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest or the Mount Margaret backcountry camps at Mount St. Helens you will need to secure a wilderness permit.
Enchantment Permit Area
Enchantment Permit Area
Lottery opens in February
April - reservation system
May-October permits required for overnight stay
A lot of planning is required for a trip to the enchantments. This section only touches on the permitting aspects of camping.
Mount St. Helens National Monument
Mount St. Helens National Monument
Mount St. Helens, managed by the USFS, charges on a per-person fee basis. Entry to the Coldwater or Johnson Ridge sites are $8 per person for those 16 and older (free for kids). They will honor Interagency Annual and Senior passes for named pass-holders, and a Northwest Forest Pass will gain entry for one person
Mount St. Helens Climbing Permit
Mount St. Helens Climbing Permit
Mount Margaret Backcountry
Mount Margaret Backcountry
Mount Margaret backcountry camps at Mount St. Helens you will need to secure a wilderness permit.
Washington State Public Lands Permits
Washington State Public Lands Permits
A Discover Pass for entry or parking is usually all that is required.
There are few spots where you might need a special backcountry permit:
Wallace Falls State Park- Wallace Lake and Jay Lake backcountry camping requires overnight permits
Call the park office to acquire a permit prior to arrival at 360-793-0420.
Other Documents
Other Documents
If needed, don't forget:
Driver's license (even if you aren't the primary driver)
Passport (international travel)
Permission to travel overseas letter
Certifications (medical, shooting, aquatics, radio, etc.)
Medical Insurance Card
Prescriptions
Medical bracelet
Emergency Medical information (diabetes, asthma, anaphylaxis, seizure)
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse