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

Itinerary includes trip plan and emergency information.

Must include:

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

Wilderness Expedition Medicine Notes

Maps

 Maps are generally needed for most outings. 

 See our Map Page for more on Maps.

 

These will get you started:

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

Purchase:

Good For:

Notes:


Annual Northwest Forest Pass

USDA Forest Service in Washington and Oregon only

Purchase:

Good For:

 

Discover Pass

Purchase:

Good for:

 Free Days:

Notes:


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:

 

National Wildlife Refuges (NWR)

Areas of concern:

Notes:

These can also be used:

National Parks Permits

recreation.gov

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

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

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

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.

recreation.gov


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.

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


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 Margaret Backcountry

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:

Other Documents

If needed, don't forget: