Description

I own no land, instead I have wheelestate. I’ve been a full time RVer since 1997. Working summers as a Park Ranger takes me to many beautiful places and playing during the winter takes me to many more. This blog is simply the story of my life's adventures.

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Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Backcountry Permit at Grand Canyon


I only waited 20 minutes in line for this
If you want to camp anywhere in other than developed campgrounds on the rims of Grand Canyon National Park you need a permit from Backcountry. There are three ways to apply. You can obtain a form and instructions for submitting requests on line. Then you can fax or mail your request. Or, you can go in person to the park’s Backcountry Information Center.

North Kaibab Trail
The earliest allowable time to request permits is on the first of the month, four months prior to the proposed hiking start date. There is a non-refundable fee of $10 per permit plus $5 per person per night camped below the rim.

The Box in Bright Angel Canyon
I got a permit for October 13th at Cottonwood campground, the 14th at Bright Angel campground near Phantom Ranch, and the 15th at Indian Garden. Two friends from Washington are joining me on this fall hike. Yes, it’s the same itinerary I hiked this spring during training except we stayed at the Phantom Ranch NPS bunkhouse.

These permits are not always easy to get, even as a Ranger I have to apply the same way as everyone else. Each year Grand Canyon NP receives about 30,000 requests for backcountry permits and issues only 13,000 permits for close to 40,000 people to camp overnight in the backcountry. So if you want to hike in the canyon plan ahead.

Looking up towards the South Rim and Bright Angel Trail

10 comments:

erin said...

beautiful captures...so enjoying your posts during your working season :)
have a wonderful evening.
hugs

SandyCarlson said...

Absolutely stunning. What a place to be. Well worth getting that permit to slep there.

Dawn Fine said...

OH ..wow ..you are going to do that big hike again in October..Awesome

Janie said...

I've applied for a number of those, usually for hikes from the lesser traveled north rim trailheads. October should be a great time for your trip!

Unknown said...

You are a lucky duckie to get that permit! I know we'll see great photos of the next hike.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

In that case you were very lucky to get this permit Gaelyn. I am sure you are going to have a brilliant hike. I love going to places like this.

Jo said...

Hi Gaelyn, this is the first season I will see where you work. Thanks for beautiful photos of your stunning country. I'll visiti here often. Of course, red-tape is the same all over the world. We have to have permits to visit our national parks and this is normally the most frustrating part of your holiday! Thanks for visiting my blog. BTW: are you meeting a blogging friend in South Africa ?

Pierre said...

Congratulations on some awesome images of your spectacular surroundings - what a pleasure it must be to work there!
Best from Cape Town,
Pierre

Quiet Paths said...

Your photos are truly inspiring. What an experience that would be. Do you mean that at least 40k people ask for permission to overnight in the GC each year and they give out 13? Or 40k end up staying over each year.

Eve said...

Wow - you've really got to plan it out if you want to go hiking there! 4 months in advance? Good to know for future reference!

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