PORT ANGELES — The Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center will begin accepting wilderness permit reservation requests beginning Thursday, Feb. 15, for the 2018 season.
The start date is a month earlier than in the past, according to Penny Wagner, park spokeswoman.
The reservation request form is being updated and will be available on the park website at https://tinyurl.com/PDN-parkreservations before Feb. 15, she said.
Reservation requests will be accepted via email form the park website; by postal mail to Olympic National Park, WIC, 600 East Park Ave, Port Angeles, WA 98362; or in person at the Wilderness Information Center (WIC), now at 600 E. Park Ave., in Port Angeles.
In the past, requests were also accepted via fax.
“Switching from fax to email will streamline permit processing for WIC staff and make the reservation process easier and more accessible to the general public,” Wagner said.
Wilderness Camping Permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry year-round.
The fee is $8 per night per person for those 16 and older. Younger participants will be admitted free but must be included in reporting the group size.
An annual fee for wilderness passes is $45.
Reservations for wilderness camping permits are recommended from May 1 to Sept. 30 when camping for one or more nights in a quota area such as Ozette Coast (Yellow Banks to Point of the Arches), Royal Basin/Royal Lake, Lake Constance, Upper Lena Lake, Flapjack Lakes (including Gladys Divide), Grand Valley and Badger Valley, Sol Duc/Seven Lakes Basin. Hoh Lake and CB Flats, Upper Hoh River Trail sites (Elk Lake, Glacier Meadows, Martin Creek).
Once a reservation is made, the WIC will provide a reservation number and the permit can be paid for. After payment is made, the WIC will send a confirmation email.
A confirmation is not a permit, park officials emphasize. Confirmations must be exchanged for permits at the WIC.
To reach the WIC, call 360-565-3100.
