Central Cascades Wilderness Permit - Day Use

Deschutes National Forest

Visitors ALWAYS assume risks when entering trails in natural areas, but in burned areas, those risks are greater. Your safety is in your hands! Know Before You Go and learn more about safely recreating in burned areas here: Burned Area Safety Tips 

Permits are released daily at 0700 PDT in a 10 and 2 day rolling window in advance of the hiking date. The first day for the permit season is June 15th and runs through October 15th. A digital PDF permit on a mobile devices is acceptable for showing proof of permit.

There are two types of permits available for visiting the Central Cascades Wilderness areas of Oregon:

Overnight permits are not valid for entry for Day Use only. 

Additional details can be found on our webpage: USFS Central Cascades Wilderness Permits

The Central Cascades wilderness areas of Oregon are home to iconic mountain peaks, high alpine meadows and lakes, and old growth forests. Crystal clear streams, wildflower meadows, rugged mountain views, young lava flows, and much more can be found in the Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington and Three Sisters Wilderness areas. 

Backpacking, day hiking, mountaineering and horseback riding are the most common forms of recreation in the area during the short summer season, after snow has receded. Opportunities for nature photography also abound. Cross-country travel skills are necessary to access many of the high lakes and mountain peaks.  

Easily accessed by population centers in central and western Oregon, while drawing visitors from around the world, the wilderness permit system was established to ensure the protection of these landscapes now and into the future.  

There are no restroom facilities within these wilderness areas. Visitors must practice 'Leave No Trace' skills, including properly disposing of human and pet waste and carrying out all trash. Depending on the trailhead used for entry, facilities may include parking, bathrooms, picnic tables, stock hitching posts and wilderness and interpretive information about the area.

Visitors can secure up to 12 permits per day if quota is available under one reservation. The named person on the permit must be present with the group at all times. Permits are non-transferable and each printed or PDF copy of a permit is unique and you will need one for each member of your group. 

Visitors ALWAYS assume risks when entering trails in natural areas, but in burned areas, those risks are greater. Your safety is in your hands! Know Before You Go and learn more about safely recreating in burned areas here: Burned Area Safety Tips 

Permits are released daily at 0700 PDT in a 10 and 2 day rolling window in advance of the hiking date. The first day for the permit season is June 15th and runs through October 15th. A digital PDF permit on a mobile devices is acceptable for showing proof of permit.

There are two types of permits available for visiting the Central Cascades Wilderness areas of Oregon:

Overnight permits are not valid for entry for Day Use only. 

Additional details can be found on our webpage: USFS Central Cascades Wilderness Permits

The Central Cascades wilderness areas of Oregon are home to iconic mountain peaks, high alpine meadows and lakes, and old growth forests. Crystal clear streams, wildflower meadows, rugged mountain views, young lava flows, and much more can be found in the Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington and Three Sisters Wilderness areas. 

Backpacking, day hiking, mountaineering and horseback riding are the most common forms of recreation in the area during the short summer season, after snow has receded. Opportunities for nature photography also abound. Cross-country travel skills are necessary to access many of the high lakes and mountain peaks.  

Easily accessed by population centers in central and western Oregon, while drawing visitors from around the world, the wilderness permit system was established to ensure the protection of these landscapes now and into the future.  

There are no restroom facilities within these wilderness areas. Visitors must practice 'Leave No Trace' skills, including properly disposing of human and pet waste and carrying out all trash. Depending on the trailhead used for entry, facilities may include parking, bathrooms, picnic tables, stock hitching posts and wilderness and interpretive information about the area.

Visitors can secure up to 12 permits per day if quota is available under one reservation. The named person on the permit must be present with the group at all times. Permits are non-transferable and each printed or PDF copy of a permit is unique and you will need one for each member of your group. 

Need to Know

Booking Windows

The Central Cascades Wilderness Permit Season begins June 15th and runs through October 15th. Day-use permits are released on a 10 and 2-day rolling window before the hiking date starting on June 5th and June 13th respectively at 7:00am PDT. There are no full season advance sales.

Changes and Cancellations

Reservation fee is nonrefundable. See Facility Rates for fees.

Contact Information

Mailing Address

63095 Deschutes Market Road Bend OR 97701

Phone Number

541-383-5300

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