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Central Cascades Wilderness Overnight Permits

Wilderness Permit

Overview

Trailhead-based overnight permit for the Central Cascades Wilderness areas of Oregon -- covering Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, and Three Sisters Wildernesses. Managed jointly by the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests. 54 trailheads organized into three districts. Permit required for all overnight stays June 15 -- October 15. You select a single entry trailhead and date; once inside, you may travel and camp freely across all three wildernesses. Separate from the Central Cascades day-use permit -- overnight permits are not valid for day-use-only trips. Popular trailheads include Obsidian/Scott, Green Lake/Soda Creek, Devil's Lake/Wickiup (South Sister), Pamelia Lake, Marion Lake, Elk Lake, and Todd Lake.

Bottom Line

There is no lottery -- all permits are first-come, first-served. Approximately 40% of each trailhead's daily quota is released as advanced reservations when the season opens on the first Tuesday in April (April 7 in 2026) at 7:00 AM PDT. The remaining ~60% is held as walk-up quota and converts to advanced reservation 7 days before the entry date, released daily at 7:00 AM PDT. This rolling 7-day release window is where most permits are actually obtained. High-demand trailheads (Obsidian/Scott, Green Lake/Soda Creek, Devil's Lake, Tam McArthur Rim) sell out within minutes on release -- both at the April opening and in the daily rolling window. Midweek dates and less popular trailheads (French Pete, many Mt. Jefferson trailheads, Mt. Washington district) have significantly better availability. Cancellations return to the system immediately with no set schedule. You can hold at most 3 active (non-completed) permits at a time; additional permits can be reserved once trips are completed or cancelled.

Reservations

Permit season June 15 -- October 15. All FCFS, no lottery.

Advanced reservations (~40% of quota):

Open on the first Tuesday in April (April 7, 2026) at 7:00 AM PDT for the entire season
Covers all dates June 15 -- October 15

Rolling 7-day release (~60% of quota):

Walk-up quota converts to advanced reservation 7 days before the entry date
Released daily at 7:00 AM PDT
This is where most permits become available throughout the season

Rules:

Max 3 active (non-completed) reservations per account at a time
Max 1 overlapping reservation at a time
Permits are printable 14 days before trip start
Trip leader or alternate trip leader must carry the permit (digital or paper)
Up to 2 alternate trip leaders can be added at checkout
Once printed, no changes are allowed; prior to printing, group size/stock/pets can be modified
Changing entry date requires cancelling and rebooking

Trailheads

54 trailheads across three districts:

Three Sisters (31 trailheads): Box Canyon/Crossing Way, Broken Top/Crater Ditch, Chush Falls, Devil's Lake/Wickiup (South Sister), East Fork Upper & Lower, Elk Lake, Foley, French Pete, Green Lake/Soda Creek, Horse Creek/Rainbow, Lava Camp (Matthieu Lakes), Linton Lake, Lucky Lake, Many Lakes/Deer Lake, Obsidian/Scott, Park Meadow, Pole Creek, Rebel/Olallie/Elk Creek/South Fork, Scott Pass/Millican/Black Crater, Separation, Sisters Mirror, Six Lakes, Skookum (Erma Bell Lakes), Tam McArthur Rim, Taylor Burn/Helen Lake/Jack Pine, Todd Lake, Upper French Pete/Pat Saddle/Upper Lowder, Winopee/Corral Lake/Corral Swamp, PCT Irish Taylor
Mt. Jefferson (14 trailheads): Bear Valley, Bingham Ridge/Minto Mountain, Cabot Lake, Crown Lake/Roaring Creek, Duffy Lake/Maxwell Butte, Jack Lake (Canyon Creek Meadows), Jefferson Lake, Marion Lake, Pamelia Lake, PCT Breitenbush/Breitenbush Lake, PCT Santiam, Pine Ridge, Round Lake, South Breitenbush/Triangulation/Cheat Creek, Whitewater, Woodpecker
Mt. Washington (9 trailheads): Benson/Tenas, Dry Creek, Hand Lake, Hortense Lake, Patjens, PCT Big Lake, PCT McKenzie Pass, Robinson Lake, Tenas Lakes/Fingerboard Prairie

Broken Top/Crater Ditch may not be accessible by vehicle until late July/early August (requires 4WD/high clearance on FS Roads 4600-370/380). McKenzie Highway (OR 242) and Cascade Lakes Highway trailheads may be inaccessible until mid/late June due to seasonal road closures.

Fees

$6 non-refundable reservation fee per permit (flat fee, not per person)
No per-person or per-night recreation fee
Cancellation allowed anytime before printing; $6 fee is non-refundable regardless

Group Size and Rules