YELLOWSTONE BACKCOUNTRY & FISHING PERMITS

Backcountry camping permits and the separate Yellowstone fishing permit, sorted out in plain English. Free, no sign-up.

Your backcountry trip

Trying the Early Access Lottery?
Best sites, applications open in March — $10 non-refundable
People in your group
Nights out
Estimated cost
$40

$10 lottery application (non-refundable) + $30 recreation fee (2 × 3 nights × $5)

Didn't win the lottery, or applying too late for it? Remaining sites open for general first-come, first-served booking in late April, and about 25% of sites are held back for walk-up permits issued in person up to 48 hours before your trip.

How the three paths work

  1. Early Access Lottery — apply in March for the peak season (May 15–Oct 31); winners get an assigned window in April to book their site on Recreation.gov.
  2. General booking — any sites not claimed through the lottery open for ordinary first-come, first-served booking on Recreation.gov in late April.
  3. Walk-up permits — about a quarter of all sites are held back specifically for in-person walk-up permits, available up to 48 hours before your trip at a Backcountry Permit Office.
All three paths run through Recreation.gov →

Backcountry & Fishing Permit FAQ

Do you need a permit to camp in Yellowstone's backcountry?

Yes — every overnight backcountry trip requires a permit, issued through Recreation.gov. During peak season (May 15–October 31), the best sites are distributed through an Early Access Lottery in March; remaining sites open for general first-come, first-served booking in late April, and about 25% of sites are held back for walk-up permits available up to 48 hours before your trip.

How much does a Yellowstone backcountry permit cost?

The Early Access Lottery has a $10 non-refundable application fee. Once you have a confirmed site (through the lottery, general booking, or a walk-up), you pay a $5-per-person, per-night recreation fee, plus a $10 reservation fee on general and walk-up bookings.

Do you need a fishing license or a park fishing permit for Yellowstone?

Neither a Wyoming, Montana, nor Idaho state fishing license is valid inside Yellowstone — you need a separate Yellowstone fishing permit instead. It's $40 for 3 days, $55 for 7 days, or $75 for the season. Anglers 16 and older must have one; anyone 15 and under can fish under a permitted adult's supervision, or get a free youth permit.

Where can I buy a Yellowstone fishing permit?

Fishing permits are sold at ranger stations, visitor centers, Yellowstone General Stores, many businesses in the gateway towns, and online in advance through Recreation.gov — no lottery or reservation window required.

What if I don't win the backcountry lottery?

You still have two more chances: any lottery-unclaimed sites open for ordinary first-come, first-served online booking in late April, and about a quarter of all backcountry sites are held back specifically for walk-up permits issued in person up to 48 hours before your trip.