Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, The Enchantments is known for being a stunning hiking paradise. With its jagged mountains, rocky and steep areas, and waterfalls, The Enchantments is a challenging hike to conquer.
As you continue reading below, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about the Enchantment Lottery, including day hiking and overnight permits, the annual permit lottery process, and additional information you’ll need to know before beginning your trip.
Summary: Enchantments Permit Lottery
Key Dates:
February 15: Registration opens for the Enchantments permit lottery
March 1: Registration closes for Enchantments permit lottery
March 17: Winners of the permit lottery are notified
April 1: Due date to claim permit; unclaimed permits are returned to the reservation system
Permits are required for all overnight trips between May 15 and October 31.
Permits are on a per-zone basis.
Core Zone is the most popular.
Snow Lakes and Colchuck are great alternatives.
There are five permit zones.
Day hikers can fill out a free day-use permit at one of three starting trailheads.
Enchantments Permit Lottery
Due to the popularity of The Enchantments, from May 15th through October 31st, all visitors must obtain an Enchantments permit. The Enchantments Lottery is the best way to get your hands on a permit.
You must acquire an overnight permit to camp between the Stuart Lake and Snow Lakes trailheads.
The two trailheads, Stuart Lake Trailhead and Snow Lake Trailhead, are long and strenuous to reach the Core zone of The Enchantments. The Core Zone is filled with mountain peaks and meadows and is one of the most breathtaking areas you’ll ever see on a hike.
Enchantments Overnight and Day-Use Permit Season Information
The Enchantments Permit Area is located within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State.
Since the Enchantments is a trendy and unique hiking area, any visitor must obtain a permit if they plan to visit between May 15th and October 31st. An Enchantments permit is required for both day hikers and those on a multi-day backpacking trip.
A limited amount of overnight permits for backpacking trips are given for the Enchantments permit area. This is to help manage the popularity and crowd that results in resource damage to this destination.
Overnight permits for the Enchantments are in high demand; therefore, a pre-season Enchantments lottery is held from February 15th through March 1st of every year. The Enchantments lottery application process is conducted through recreation.gov.
After the pre-season lottery, any unclaimed lottery awards are available to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis. You may find these permits by visiting recreation.gov through the advanced reservation system.
Day-Use Enchantments Permit
If you plan to day hike, you will only need to fill out a free-day use permit available at any three trailheads.
The Enchantments lottery for overnight camping is very competitive. Many chose to experience the Enchantments by doing a long thru-hike.
A day hike is a big endeavor covering 18 miles and 6,000 – 8,000 feet of elevation gain. Most day hikers travel one way between the Snow Lakes Trailhead and the Stuart Lake Trailhead.
Quotas for Enchantments Permit Zones
There are five permit zones in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area. Each permit zone has its own quota. A Core Enchantment Zone permit is the most competitive.
Core Enchantments Zone: 24 people per day*
Colchuck Zone: 3 groups per day
Stuart Zone: 4 groups per day
Snow Zone: 5 groups per day
Eight mile/ Caroline Zone: 3 groups per day
For the *Core Enchantments Zone, only 24 people are permitted to visit this zone daily. Through the advanced Enchantments Lottery, 16 spaces are available, while the other 8 can be obtained through the other walk-up lottery.
When applying for your Core Enchantments Zone permit, you’ll want to make sure you indicate your group size since it is unlikely a quota will still be available.
Early & Late Season Access
Permit season starts on May 15th. Hikers ca improve their odds of winning the Enchantments lottery by selecting earlier dates.
It’s important to consider snowpack and general weather conditions. Trailhead access could be obstructed early in the season. Traveling and/or camping on snow is likely during May, June, late September, and October.
If you plan to hike during the early Spring or Fall, you’ll want to check the cancellation policy if you apply for a permit. Unfortunately, refunds are not given for unexpected snow storms.
Enchantments Permit: Important Info
Permits can have one alternate listed.
Alternates cannot be added or changed after the Enchantments lottery.
If your alternate permit holder is an alternative during the season as a lottery award, they cannot hold a permit during the season for any zone.
The permit holder must hike with a photo ID and their permit; the forest service checks permits.
Permits are required to be printed and signed by the permit holder.
Cell phone images don’t count as a copy.
Only one Enchantments lottery application per person is accepted.
Permit holders can print their permit online within 14 days of their trip start date.
Group members must begin on the permit date and camp with the permit holder.
For more information on how to apply for your Enchantment Area Permit, you can visit recreation.gov.
Enchantments Lottery Important Dates for 2023
Start date/time:
February 15, 2023, @ 7:00 AM Pacific Time
End date/time:
March 1, 2023, @11:59 PM Pacific Time
Enchantments Lottery Drawing:
All applications received during the lottery will be randomly drawn on March 8, 2023, @ 1:55 AM Pacific Time
Enchantments Lottery Results:
Can be viewed on or after March 17, 2023
Confirming Permit Award:
You may accept/confirm your permit award before March 31, 2023, @ 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Unclaimed Permits:
Unclaimed permits will be returned to the reservation system on April 1, 2023, @ 7:00 AM Pacific Time
Overnight Camping:
Permits for overnight camping are required between May 15, 2023 – October 31, 2023
Enchantments Lottery Process
The Enchantments Lottery Process requires two steps:
The applicant must select an entry date, group size, and permit zone during the advanced lottery application process.
After March 17, 2023, the applicant should log in to their account to view the Enchantments lottery results. Any successful applicant must accept/confirm their permit and pay for it by March 31, 2023, @ 11:59 PM Pacific Time.
Enchantments Permit Fees and Cancellation Policies
Permit Fees
Enchantments Lottery Applications: $6.00 non-refundable fee (reservation fees are non-refundable even if successful in the Enchantments lottery)
Recreation Fee: Overnight Enchantments Permits are $5.00 per person daily, May 15th – October 31st.
Cancellation Policies
Any confirmed and awarded trips can be canceled up to 22 days before a trip with a refund, but the $6.00 application fee is non-refundable. If the trip is canceled within 21 days of the trip, no refund will be issued. Unfortunately, no refunds are given for unexpected weather conditions.
Permits are non-transferable. Only the permit holder or group leader can use the permit.
Group leaders cannot be modified after the initial application
Enchantment Lottery for the Core Zone is based on the group size; group sizes cannot be modified
Once you make your permit reservation, you cannot change the permit zone or entry date.
You can print your permit within 14 days of your trip start date
Refunds are not given due to unexpected weather conditions. If your trip is during May, June, September, or October, you should plan to camp on snow. If snow is present, plan to pack human waste using a Wag Bag.
If you can’t use your permit, you can visit recreation.gov to cancel your permit or call (1-877-444-6777) so that another group can have a chance to book a permit.
If you do not show up for your trip, you cannot reserve a permit for another date during the same season unless your permit is canceled.
Enchantments Lottery Results
Competition for Enchantments permits is heavy. Knowing what permit zones are competitive and when they’re competitive can help improve your permit lottery odds.
In 2022, 36,827 applicants entered the annual permit lottery. The total Enchantment permits awarded were 2,528. The Core Enchantment Zone was far and away the most popular and most competitive.
Snow Zone: 2,881 applicants for 705 permits (24%)
Core Enchantment Zone: 26,988 applicants for 2,920 people (not groups)
Assuming all Core Zone groups were for two people, about 5.4%
Colchuck Zone: 4,606 applicants for 365 permits
Stuart Zone: 1,754 applicants for 535 permits
Eightmile/Caroline Zone: 598 applicants for 365 permits
Enchantments Permit FAQs
Do I need a permit for the Enchantments?
Yes, you need a permit to hike the Enchantments from May 15th to October 31st. Day-use permits are free for day hikers. Overnight visitors hiking the Enchantments over several days must use the annual permit lottery or try to get a walk-up permit from the Leavenworth ranger station.
Can you camp in the Enchantments without a permit?
No, you cannot camp in the enchantments without a permit. Camping overnight requires an Enchantments permit for the zone that you are in.
What is the best enchantment permit area?
The Core Enchantments Zone is the best permit area. Bright blue alpine lakes highlight the Core zone. The lakes include Inspiration Lake, Perfection Lake, Lake Viviane, and Leprechaun Lake.
How do you win the lottery for Enchantments?
The best way to win the Enchantments lottery is to apply for the Colchuck Zone or Snow Zone and avoid stiff competition for the Core Zone. Applying for a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday is your best bet at winning the permit lottery for the Core Enchantments Zone. August is the busiest month.
Hiking the Enchantments FAQs
How long is the Enchantments hike?
Hiking the Enchantments from Stuart Lake Trailhead to Snow Lake Trailhead is an 18-mile thru-hike with 6000 feet of elevation gain.
What is the best time to hike the Enchantments?
The best time to hike the Enchantments is from late July to early September. Early season hikes contend with snow, especially up Aasgard Pass. Late-season hikes can be a bit chilly, and you risk an early-season snowstorm.
Is the Enchantments a difficult hike?
The Enchantments is a physically demanding hike, especially because of the big elevation gains. The hike is not technical when snow is absent on the trail.
