Permits For the Arizona Trail
DO i need permits?
Simply put, yes. But also, no. Unlike the Pacific Crest Trail there is no single permit that hikers can apply for that covers the entire trail. The Arizona Trail doesn’t see near the amount of traffic that the PCT does and therefore there is also no limit on how many hikers can start from the terminus each day during peak season. Additionally, the majority of the Arizona Trail currently doesn’t require special permits for camping or hiking. The two exceptions to this being where the trail crosses through Saguaro National Park and Grand Canyon National Park.
Saguaro national Park
A little over a week after hikers start north from the Mexican border, they arrive in Saguaro National Park. The trail enters to the park at mile 126 and exits at mile 144, making it an 18-mile segment from end to end. Camping is only allowed at 2 established campgrounds in this section, Grass Shack and Manning Campground. Overnight permits are needed for both locations. While some choose to do the entire 18-miles in a day and not worry about camping, it’s worth mentioning that for the majority of those miles (15 to be exact) the trail climbs 5,500ft up towards the summit of Mica Mountain. As such, many choose to camp a night at Grass Shack Campground (as it sits at a lower elevation than Manning) to break up the long climb.
Both campgrounds have vault toilets, water sources, and bear boxes. There is a ranger cabin at the top of the climb at Manning Campground that is frequently occupied during peak hiker season.
Regardless as to if you camp or not, a National Parks Pass is required to enter the park. You can either purchase a “Standard Pass” which costs $15 and is valid for 7 days or use an “America the Beautiful Pass” which is the annual $80 all access park pass. There is no station to buy passes in person along the trail so make sure to buy it online in advance. Cell coverage can be spotty along the trail approaching the park but is available. I’ve heard multiple reports of hikers having permits checked, so there is an active ranger presence particularly around Manning Camp. Get the permit, avoid a fine.
Passes can be bought here: Saguaro National Park Site Pass in Arizona – Recreation.gov
If you plan on camping at either Grass Shack or Manning Campground one additional permit is needed. Thankfully, as of 2024 the Park Service has implemented a new system specifically for AZT hikers. The “Arizona Trail Thru Hiker Permit” is now available on recreation.gov and covers both campgrounds for a 2-week period when hikers think they will be camping in the park. These can be bought in advance so long as you have a rough estimate of when you think you’ll be passing through. I bought mine before I started the trail and just set my 2-week window for just after I started from Mexico. It took a week to get to the park, so it worked out perfectly and I didn’t have to worry about it at all while hiking.
Permits can be bought here: Arizona Trail Thru Hiker Overnight Permit Pass in Arizona – Recreation.gov
Grand Canyon national Park
For the rest of the trail up until mile 695, no special permits are needed. From mile 695 to mile 727 (32 miles), hikers cross Grand Canyon National Park and permits and passes once again become a consideration. The same National Parks Pass used to enter Saguaro will be needed. If you bought the 7-day pass for Saguaro, you would need to repurchase it for the Grand Canyon. If you bought (or already had) the America the Beautiful Pass, then you’re covered for the Canyon as well.
The same situation as Saguaro also applies for camping. Some choose to go Rim to Rim in a day and knock out the 32 miles without a need for camping permits. While possible, it’s difficult due to the elevation gain and loss and potential for extreme heat. Not to mention you have to speed through arguably the highlight of the whole trail. As such, the vast majority of hikers opt for at least one night spent in the Canyon either at Bright Angel campground (the very bottom) or Cottonwood Campground (6 miles past Bright Angel).
Bright Angel Campground is located near Phantom Ranch and has access to flushing toilets, water, and even a small snack shack. Everything there is expensive as it must be brought down the trail by mule. That said, when it is 100 degrees out, I don’t think cold lemonade could ever taste better. $6 for a solo cup’s worth of lemonade seems like a lot, but they offer $1 refills, so really the more you drink the less expensive it gets!
Cottonwood is the less popular option but equally beautiful. It is much quieter than Bright Angel, has access to water, vault toilets, and there is a small ranger cabin nearby.
Now for the fun part. The Grand Canyon doesn’t have as streamlined of a process for camping permits due to its popularity. Reserving in advance can be done but is often difficult to find anything available and you’d have to know the exact day you planned on camping well in advance. Definitely not ideal when thru hiking. Luckily though, walk-up permits can be gotten on arrival to the park and overall isn’t a difficult process. It’s easiest to spend at least one night on the South Rim at Mather Campground to sort out your permit situation at the backcountry office. Mather Campground offers $8 sites to AZT hikers/bikers which is conveniently located next to the public laundry and showers.
The Park Service sets aside 2 group campsites in each campground specifically for AZT hikers. Each site holds 1-6 people so 12 hikers total are allowed to camp in each campground every night. Being such a limited number, in order to have the best chances of securing a walk-up permit you should plan at being at the backcountry office first thing in the morning when they open. The rangers are very helpful and willing to be flexible in order to get AZT hikers an itinerary through the canyon as soon as possible. Even still, it’s likely that you might still have to spend an additional night or two waiting on the South Rim for an opening to go through, particularly if you want to stay at Bright Angel. Which even still isn’t the worst thing as it allows for extra time to explore the South Rim (the views are much better than the North Rim) before descending into the Canyon.
More information can be found here: Backcountry Permit – Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
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© 2024 Ashley Teifke