Arkansas Outdoor Circuit Map
Ozark bluffs, a spa town & Ouachita whitewater, in one loop.
10-day Arkansas outdoor road trip from XNA. Backpack and paddle the Buffalo National River in the Ozarks, soak on Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs, drive the Talimena Scenic Byway, run Cossatot whitewater, and summit Mount Magazine, the state high point.
“I’ve requested to book a Chain Lakes Loop guide on ExplorOFF, and it was the best idea ever! I highly recommend going with their guided option since you get a real human connection on the trail and don’t have to worry about a thing. Yulia was great to talk to!”
29 stops on a real mapEvery stop pinned in order→Arkansas: every stop pinned in order.
Buffalo River · Hot Springs · Ouachitas · Arkansas
Every stop on this trip, in order, opens as one driving route in the Google Maps app. No copying addresses across one at a time.
Arkansas in photos: 5 of the stops.
Plan and book your 10 days in Arkansas, one step at a time
- The Buffalo River at Ponca was running about 2 cubic feet per second (gauge 1.6 ft) on September 28, far too low to float, and the Buffalo Outdoor Center has upper-river float trips on hold until rain brings it up. Plan day 2 as a hike unless the gauge rises. Source
- The Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center in Hot Springs is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (open 9am to 5pm, Thursday to Monday), so put day 5 on one of those days. Source
How 10 days in Arkansas split up
Plan 10 days for Arkansas. Route: ~600-mi loop. Activities: Hike & paddle. Permits: None. This 10-day Arkansas outdoor circuit covers the state's two mountain ranges in a single loop from Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA). You start in the Ozarks around Ponca and Jasper and the Upper Buffalo National River, then swing south to Hot Springs and the Ouachita Mountains before climbing Mount Magazine on the way back.
Day 1: Arrive in Ponca & Lost Valley Trail
3 stops · Day one
Day 2: Whitaker Point & a Buffalo River Paddle
3 stops · Day two
Day 3: Buffalo River Trail Backpacking
3 stops · Day three
Day 4: BRT Back to Kyles Landing & Drive to Hot Springs
3 stops · Day four
Day 5: Hot Springs National Park & Bathhouse Row
5 stops · Day five
Day 6: Ouachita National Forest & Lake Ouachita Vista Trail
3 stops · Day six
Day 7: Talimena Scenic Byway & Queen Wilhelmina State Park
3 stops · Day seven
Day 8: Cossatot River State Park · Falls & River Trails
2 stops · Day eight
Day 9: Mount Magazine & Signal Hill · Arkansas High Point · 2 miles
3 stops · Day nine
Day 10: Departure · Drive to XNA
1 stops · Day ten
Arrive in Ponca & Lost Valley Trail
Fly into Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), pick up your rental car, and drive about 2 hours to Ponca, the gateway to the Upper Buffalo National River. Check into your cabin or motel in the Ponca/Jasper area and settle in.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Drive from~2 hr · ~75 mi · rental car required · DriveFly into Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), pick up your rental car, and drive about 2 hours to Ponca, the gateway to the Upper Buffalo National River. XNA is the closest major airport and the natural start and end of the loop.
- Lost Valley Trail
2.2 mi round trip · Eden Falls & a cave · HikeStretch your legs on the easy Lost Valley Trail, a 2.2-mile round trip past bluffs and Eden Falls to a small cave you can explore with a flashlight. It is a gentle, kid-friendly introduction to the Ozarks.
See the trail → 
Check into Ponca / Jasper lodgingCabins & motels · book early · lodgeSettle into your cabin or motel in the Ponca or Jasper area, your base for the first two nights. Ponca is closer to the Buffalo River trailheads; book 3–6 months ahead for spring and fall weekends.
Whitaker Point & a Buffalo River Paddle
Start with the iconic hike to Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag), a 3-mile out-and-back to one of Arkansas's most photographed overlooks above the Upper Buffalo wilderness. Arrive early for soft light and to beat the crowds, and mind the exposed bluff edges.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag)
3 mi round trip · iconic Ozark overlook · HikeHike the 3-mile out-and-back to Whitaker Point, better known as Hawksbill Crag, one of Arkansas's most photographed overlooks above the Upper Buffalo wilderness. Arrive early for soft light and to beat the crowds, and mind the exposed bluff edges.
See the trail → 
Buffalo River paddle · Ponca to Kyles Landing10.7 mi · 4–6 hr · Buffalo Outdoor Center (Ponca) rents canoes & runs the shuttle · floats Mar–Jun · activityRent a canoe or kayak from the Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca, which also runs the shuttle back from Kyles Landing, and float the 10.7-mile stretch past towering bluffs. The upper river floats in its March to June season; when it drops, the outfitter launches at Steel Creek, and in dry spells it stops upper-river trips altogether. Check the USGS Ponca gauge (waterdata.usgs.gov, site 07055660) before you commit. PFDs are required.
Official info →- Second night in Ponca / Jasper
Same lodging · easy trailhead access · lodgeReturn to your Ponca or Jasper lodging for a second night, keeping you close to the Buffalo River Trail for tomorrow's early backpacking start.
Buffalo River Trail Backpacking
Yesterday you floated Ponca to Kyles Landing, so today the pack goes on the next stretch downstream. Drive the steep gravel road down to Kyles Landing (about 20 minutes from Ponca), park, and hike the Buffalo River Trail (BRT) east toward Erbie. No backcountry permit is needed on the Buffalo National River. This is an out-and-back, so your car is waiting when you come back tomorrow and no shuttle is needed.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Buffalo National River backcountry rules
No permit needed · camp rules apply · activityThe NPS does not require a backcountry permit anywhere in Buffalo National River. Camp at least half a mile from developed areas unless in a designated site, never in caves or rock shelters, and not along the Lost Valley Trail. Pets are not allowed on trails or in the backcountry.
Official info → - Buffalo River Trail · Kyles Landing east toward Erbie
Out-and-back · ~20 min drive from Ponca to the trailhead · strenuous · HikeDrive about 20 minutes from Ponca down the steep gravel road to Kyles Landing, park, and hike the Buffalo River Trail east toward Erbie: new ground after yesterday's float from Ponca. It is an out-and-back, so turn around at camp and walk the same miles back tomorrow, with no shuttle to arrange.
See the trail → 
Backcountry camp along the BRTPrimitive site · Leave No Trace · lodgeCamp at a primitive site along the Buffalo River Trail east of Kyles Landing, at least half a mile from the Kyles Landing campground. There are no facilities, so pack everything in and out, camp at least 100 feet from water, and hang a bear bag or use a canister.
BRT Back to Kyles Landing & Drive to Hot Springs
Hike the same miles back west to Kyles Landing and your car. Start early: the drive after it is about 3 hours.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Jasari / CC BY-SA 3.0Buffalo River Trail · back to Kyles LandingSame miles as day 3 · car at the trailhead · HikeWalk back west along the BRT to Kyles Landing and your car. Start early, because the drive to Hot Springs after it is about 3 hours.
See the trail →- Drive to Hot Springs
~3 hr · ~145 mi · lunch in Russellville · DriveDrive roughly 3 hours south to Hot Springs, trading Ozark wilderness for a historic spa town. Break for lunch around Russellville and enjoy a scenic route through central Arkansas.
- Check into Hot Springs lodging
Historic hotels or modern stays · lodgeCheck into your Hot Springs hotel, from historic properties near Bathhouse Row to modern accommodations. Prioritize a stay near Central Avenue for walkable access to the bathhouses.
Hot Springs National Park & Bathhouse Row
Explore Hot Springs National Park, one of the smallest and oldest in the system. Start at the restored Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center to learn the story of the thermal waters, then take a traditional soak at Buckstaff or a modern spa session at Quapaw Baths & Spa.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center
Free · park museum · no bathing here · ViewpointStart at the restored Fordyce Bathhouse, now the park visitor center, to learn the story of Hot Springs' thermal waters. Admission is free and ranger-led tours are often available; there is no actual bathing here.
Official info → 
Ken Lund from Reno, Ne / CC BY-SA 2.0Soak on Bathhouse RowBuckstaff or Quapaw · reserve ahead · activityTake a traditional soak at Buckstaff Bathhouse or a modern spa session at Quapaw Baths & Spa. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. Soaks are charged separately from the free park.
Zipline tour over the forest at Lake CatherineOptional · about 1.5 hr · 4.89 from 757 reviews · activityTen zip lines through old growth forest and over the water at Catherine's Landing, about 15 minutes south of Bathhouse Row. Day 5 is the slow day in town, so a 90 minute small-group zip fits easily around the soak and the mountain loop. It is a fun one for the whole group, ages 8 and up.
Book this →
Chris Light / CC BY-SA 4.0Hot Springs Mountain Trail1.7 mi loop · panoramic views & tower · HikeWalk off the relaxation on the 1.7-mile Hot Springs Mountain Trail loop, right behind Bathhouse Row, with panoramic views and an observation tower at the top. It is paved in sections and good for all skill levels.
See the trail →- Second night in Hot Springs
Same hotel · walk to dinner on Central Avenue · lodgeA second night at your Hot Springs hotel, walking distance from Bathhouse Row and Central Avenue.
Ouachita National Forest & Lake Ouachita Vista Trail
Drive about an hour west into the Ouachita National Forest, a vast landscape of rolling ridges and pine. Hike a section of the acclaimed Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT), an out-and-back of 5–7 miles with beautiful views over Lake Ouachita.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Drive into the Ouachita National Forest~1 hr · ~40 mi · fuel up first · DriveHead about an hour west from Hot Springs into the vast Ouachita National Forest, a landscape of rolling ridges and dense pine. Fuel up before you go, as cell service is patchy inside the forest.
- Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT)
5–7 mi out-and-back · lake views · HikeHike a 5–7 mile out-and-back section of the acclaimed Lake Ouachita Vista Trail, a well-built multi-use path with beautiful views over Lake Ouachita and chances to swim. Several trailheads let you tune the distance.
See the trail → - Third night in Hot Springs
Same base · Mena is the alternative · lodgeReturn to Hot Springs for the night, or push west toward Mena to shorten tomorrow's drive to the Talimena Scenic Byway. Mena has fewer options, so plan lodging and dinner ahead if you move.
Talimena Scenic Byway & Queen Wilhelmina State Park
Drive the stunning Talimena Scenic Byway, a 54-mile National Scenic Byway that rides the crest of the Ouachitas from Mena, Arkansas to Talihina, Oklahoma, with overlook after overlook, spectacular in spring and fall.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Talimena Scenic Byway
54 mi · 2–3 hr · numerous overlooks · DriveDrive the Talimena Scenic Byway, a 54-mile National Scenic Byway riding the crest of the Ouachitas from Mena, Arkansas to Talihina, Oklahoma, with overlook after overlook. Services are limited, so start with a full tank.
Queen Wilhelmina State ParkRich Mountain · historic lodge & views · ViewpointStop at Queen Wilhelmina State Park atop Rich Mountain, Arkansas's second-highest peak. Tour the historic lodge, take in the views, and grab lunch at the lodge restaurant. Walk the short Tall Peak Trail near the lodge.
Official info →- Overnight in Mena
Small-town base · gateway to the byway · lodgeSpend the night in Mena, a small town at the base of the Ouachitas and the gateway to the Talimena Scenic Byway. Dining options are limited, so plan ahead, and it positions you for tomorrow's whitewater.
Cossatot River State Park · Falls & River Trails
Drive about 40 minutes south from Mena to Cossatot River State Park–Natural Area, 12.5 miles of the National Wild and Scenic Cossatot River. Start at the visitor center, then walk out to Cossatot Falls, the rocky canyon where the river drops through Class V rapids after rain. The park has four trails covering nearly 20 miles along the river.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Cossatot River State Park · Cossatot Falls
~40 min from Mena · visitor center, falls overlook, river trails · HikeWalk out to Cossatot Falls, a rocky canyon where the Wild and Scenic Cossatot drops through Class V rapids after rain, and add a stretch of the park's four river trails (nearly 20 miles in all). The falls are for experienced kayakers with their own boats; there is no rental here.
Official info → 
Final night in MenaBack from the Cossatot · lodgeReturn to Mena for your final night in the Ouachita region, recovering after the paddle before heading north toward Mount Magazine in the morning.
Mount Magazine & Signal Hill · Arkansas High Point · 2 miles
Drive north to Mount Magazine State Park, home to the highest point in Arkansas. Hike the short Signal Hill Trail to the 2,753-foot summit, the state high point, and add the Benefield Loop or a bluff-edge trail for more views over the Petit Jean River Valley.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Drive to Mount Magazine State Park~1.5 hr · ~60 mi · winding roads · DriveDrive about 1.5 hours north to Mount Magazine State Park, home to the highest point in Arkansas. The approach is a scenic but slow, winding mountain drive, so allow extra time.
- Signal Hill Trail · Arkansas high point
~1.5 mi loop · summit at 2,753 ft · HikeHike the short Signal Hill Trail to the 2,753-foot summit, the highest point in Arkansas, marked at the top. Add the Benefield Loop or a bluff-edge trail for panoramic views over the Petit Jean River Valley.
See the trail → 
Stay in Paris, Arkansas~30 min down the mountain · Lodge at Mount Magazine books direct with the state park · lodgeDrive about 30 minutes down to Paris for the night, which also shortens tomorrow's drive to XNA to under two hours. If you want the clifftop view, the Lodge at Mount Magazine books through Arkansas State Parks rather than the usual hotel sites, so reserve it there early.
Departure · Drive to XNA
On your final morning, enjoy a last Arkansas breakfast or squeeze in a short hike if your flight allows. Then drive about 2 hours north from Paris to Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), returning the rental car with a full tank.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Drive to XNA airport
~2 hr · ~115 mi from Paris · return rental full · DriveOn your final morning, enjoy a last Arkansas breakfast or a short hike if your flight allows, then drive about 2 hours north from Paris to Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA). Return the rental car with a full tank and leave a buffer for security.
Book the 9 nights
Beds near the trailheads are the one thing on this trip that genuinely runs out. Everything else can be decided later.
Tell us your dates and we will do the checking. We find what is still open near each trailhead and email you this plan back with a booking link for each night. Nothing is charged and you decide at the end.
Request to bookWhat to pack for Arkansas
Built from this route, not a generic list. Every line says why it is here.
On every day of this trip
On your feet
Because you are sleeping out 1 night
For the 8 nights under a roof
For the driving days
Essential permits, rivers & planning.
Buffalo National River permit
No backcountry permit is required anywhere in Buffalo National River, but no camping is allowed within half a mile of developed areas except in designated sites, or in caves and rock shelters. Pack out all trash, camp 100+ ft from water, and use a bear bag or canister. Check the live USGS river gauges before any paddling, since levels drop fast in summer: the Upper District around Ponca and Boxley often runs too low to float by July, while the Middle (St. Joe) and Lower (Harriet) districts usually stay runnable. Outfitters like the Buffalo Outdoor Center and Buffalo River Outfitters rent canoes for roughly $85 to $105 a day with shuttle.
Hot Springs National Park
There is no entrance fee to the park itself, but bathhouse soaks are charged separately (a traditional soak-and-massage package at the historic Buckstaff runs around $100). Parking on Bathhouse Row is limited, so use the parking garage or street parking, and free thermal-water fountains line Central Avenue. Beyond the baths, downtown has the Northwoods Trail System, over 30 miles of mountain-bike trails right from town, and Superior Bathhouse Brewery, the only brewery in a US national park, which brews with 143°F thermal spring water.
State-park reservations
Camping fees vary by park and site. Reserve campsites, cabins, and the lodges at Queen Wilhelmina and Mount Magazine early, especially in spring and fall, through arkansasstateparks.com.
Cossatot River is expert-only
The Cossatot only runs after rain, and Arkansas State Parks describes Cossatot Falls as Class V for experienced kayakers and canoeists. No outfitter rents boats for it, so this plan hikes the park instead; paddle it only with your own boat, skills and a current gauge reading.
Download offline maps
Cell service is spotty to non-existent across much of the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests. Download offline maps, fuel up before entering the forests, and share your itinerary with someone before heading into the backcountry.
Go spring or fall
April–May brings wildflowers, higher water for paddling, and comfortable hiking; October–November brings foliage, cooler weather, and fewer bugs. Summer runs hot and humid with low rivers; winter can be cold with occasional snow and limited access.
Arkansas: questions before you go
Arkansas hikes: the questions people ask most.
It is a 10-day, 9-night loop of roughly 600 miles that starts and ends at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA). You base out of Ponca or Jasper in the Ozarks, then Hot Springs, then Mena in the Ouachitas, before summiting Mount Magazine on the way back to XNA.
No backcountry permit is required to camp along the Buffalo National River. State-park campsites and cabins require reservations and fees. Most day hikes need no permit, but always check local regulations.
The Buffalo River Trail is moderately strenuous, with rugged terrain, steep ascents and descents, and river-and-bluff views. It can be challenging with a full pack, so prior backpacking experience is recommended. This itinerary does an out-and-back from Kyles Landing east toward Erbie, so you choose the turnaround and need no shuttle.
Yes. Outfitters along the Buffalo National River, such as the Buffalo Outdoor Center, and near the Cossatot River rent canoes, kayaks, and rafts, often with shuttle service. Book rentals in advance, especially on weekends.
Spring (April–May) offers wildflowers, higher water for paddling, and comfortable hiking; fall (October–November) brings foliage, cooler weather, and fewer bugs. Summer is hot and humid with lower rivers, and winter can be cold with occasional snow. For runnable Cossatot whitewater specifically, late winter to early spring (February–April) is best.
No. Cell service is spotty to non-existent across much of the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests. Download offline maps before you go, fuel up before entering the forests, and share your itinerary with someone at home.
No. Arkansas is one of the few states where all 52 state parks are free to enter, including Petit Jean and Mount Magazine on this route. You only pay for camping, which runs about $12 for a primitive site up to roughly $42 for a full-hookup RV site. Popular campgrounds like Cedar Creek at Petit Jean and Steel Creek on the Buffalo National River fill fast, so reserve ahead for summer and fall weekends.
July and August are hot and humid, with midday highs regularly in the mid-90s and heavy humidity that makes it feel hotter. Start hikes like Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag) early, ideally before 8 AM, carry plenty of water, and save low-effort activities like a bathhouse soak or a lake paddle for the afternoon. Summer afternoon thunderstorms are common, so if you hear thunder while floating the Buffalo, get off the water and up to high ground right away.
Jasper is the small Ozark gateway town that anchors the first few days of this trip, and most of the best things to do in Jasper, Arkansas sit just outside town along the Upper Buffalo National River. From a Jasper base you can hike the iconic Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag), walk the easy Lost Valley Trail to Eden Falls and its walk-in cave, pick up the Buffalo River Trail for backpacking, and paddle the Ponca to Kyles Landing float when water levels allow. In town you will find a classic courthouse square, a few cafes and outfitters, and the Arkansas Grand Canyon overlooks along Scenic Highway 7 nearby. It makes a comfortable base for the Jasper, Arkansas hiking trails at the start of the loop.
Some of the best hikes in Arkansas cluster along this route and just off it. In the Ozarks of Northwest Arkansas, Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag) and the Lost Valley Trail near Ponca are classics, along with the multi-day Buffalo River Trail. Farther south you have the trails around Hot Springs, the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail, and long stretches of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. Elsewhere in the state, Pinnacle Mountain near Little Rock and the Signal Hill Trail up Mount Magazine, the state high point, round out most short lists. Difficulty and trail conditions vary by season, so check current reports before you go.
For places to hike in Hot Springs, Arkansas, start inside Hot Springs National Park on the Hot Springs Mountain Trail, a 1.7-mile loop with an observation tower right behind Bathhouse Row, plus the park's other short mountain trails. Just outside town, the Northwoods Trail System adds over 30 miles of mixed hiking and mountain-bike trails, and a short drive west reaches the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT) and the wider Ouachita National Forest. Trail difficulty ranges from easy to moderate, so you can match a hike to your group.
Yes. Tell us your dates and we check what is still open for the plan on this page, then send it back with a booking link for each night and the total. Nothing is charged and nothing is held, and you pay the normal rate.
Pick how you want to go.
Same 10-day route. Same 14 stops.
- 2 nights, a campsite near Ponca
- $70
- 3 nights, a campsite near Hot Springs
- $105
- 2 nights, a campsite near Mena
- $70
- 1 night, a campsite near Paris
- $35
- 1 night, COVE LAKE RECREATION AREA
- $35
- Zipline tour over the forest at Lake Catherine
- $132
- Rental car, 10 days
- $600
- Gas, about 637 miles
- $90
- 2 nights, a room in Ponca
- from $366
- 3 nights, a room in Hot Springs
- from $240
- 2 nights, a room in Mena
- from $174
- 1 night, a room in Paris
- from $90
- 1 night, campsites on the nights the route camps
- $35
- Zipline tour over the forest at Lake Catherine
- $132
- Rental car, 10 days
- $600
- Gas, about 637 miles
- $90
- A private local guide, rooms and campsites booked
- Included
- Airport pickup and every drive
- Included
- Park, permit and campsite fees paid
- Included
- All the gear and the trail meals
- Included
Written and walked by Yulia Vasilyeva · Co-founder · Lead planner and guide
Three years leading guided hikes in the Pacific Northwest, rated 5.0 by 20+ verified guests, and she builds every custom itinerary herself. Based in Seattle.
Last checked September 2026
You might also love these
Other itineraries near this one.
Ouachita Trail Backpacking: A 7-Day Arkansas Itinerary
Seven days backpacking the Arkansas Ouachita Trail: long east-west ridge walks, Rich Mountain, the Flatside Wilderness and Forked…
Ouachita National Recreation Trail: A Section-Hike Itinerary
Four days section-hiking the Ouachita National Recreation Trail (the OT): Pinnacle Mountain near Little Rock, the Flatside Wilderness…
Buffalo National River: 3-Day Float & Hike Itinerary
A 3-day Buffalo National River itinerary: the Lost Valley Trail, an 11-mile Pruitt-to-Carver float, and the strenuous hike to 209-ft…
Guides for this tripBest Hikes in ArkansasHiking Trails in Missouri
What adventurers say about us.
All reviews are from verified guests. ★★★★★ 5.0 average from 20+ bookings.
"Felt like going out with a really knowledgeable friend who just happens to know everything about the area. No awkward tour-guide energy, just a magnificent day."
"Yulia is an incredible guide. She knew every trail, every viewpoint, and exactly how to pace the day for our group. The photos she took of us were stunning. 100% booking again."
"I was visiting Seattle solo and this was the best decision I made on the trip. Yulia picked me up, had snacks, and took us to a trail I never would have found on my own. Absolute must-do."
"We did this as a couple's trip and it was perfect. Yulia adapted everything to us, our pace, our interests, our photo obsession. The mountain views were unreal."
"Phenomenal experience. Yulia has deep local knowledge and a real passion for the outdoors. She went out of her way to show us the hidden gems tourists never see. Will remember this forever."
"I've done a few guided hikes and this was by far the best. Yulia is warm, funny, and genuinely expert. The trail she chose had the most insane wildflower bloom, we got so lucky."
Fees, reservation windows, shuttle dates and trail closures are planning estimates. Confirm hours, road status and any reservations with the land manager before you go.
What other travelers are saying
Be the first to leave a tip or question for the next traveler.
Was this helpful?
One tap. It goes straight to Yulia and Margarita.
You can't hike it if you can't get the permit.
The best hikes in America run on lotteries that open once a year and sell out in minutes. Every trail runs on its own calendar. Pick the ones you want and we do the watching.
The WaveCoyote Buttes North · Arizona / UtahPermitLotterybrutal odds
Half Dome CablesYosemite NP · CaliforniaPermitOpens Mar 1fair odds
Mt. WhitneyInyo NF · CaliforniaPermitOpens Feb 1tough odds
Angels LandingZion NP · UtahPermitLotterytough odds
The SubwayZion NP · UtahPermitLotterytough odds
Mount St. Helens Summit ClimbGifford Pinchot NF · WashingtonPermitReservationtough odds
How it works
- An email the morning each window opens, never the day after.
- A 14-day heads-up so you can line up your group and dates.
- Win odds and a ranked backup plan for every trail you pick.
Didn't win? We keep watching. We check recreation.gov every day for The Enchantments, Half Dome and Angels Landing, and email you the moment a sold-out date frees up. Cancellations are the second chance most people never hear about.