planning your first overnight, in the order it actually goes

permit first, gear second. did it backwards the first time and it cost me a whole weekend.

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Pick your zone off the permit calendar, not off a gear review

Make a Recreation.gov account before you actually need one

the morning permits release is not the time to be resetting a password

Look up that specific park's release window

NPS parks are commonly ~24 weeks out, but Forest Service lotteries open way earlier - Enchantments applications run Feb 15 to Mar 1

If it's a lottery permit, apply in the window and don't build the trip around winning

Pick a backup zone that doesn't need a lottery at all

Set mileage per day around the permit dates you actually got

not the other way around, this is where people overreach on day one

Sort gear against the nights you're actually out, borrow before you buy

Save the permit confirmation somewhere offline

cell service at the trailhead is not a plan. screenshot it the night before

Pick up the physical permit if the park requires an in-person pickup

miss that window and some parks just forfeit the whole thing. start early on pickup day

Or start a list of your own. Free, it takes a minute.

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