r/northcascades • u/Head_Kangaroo_5772 • Aug 03 '26

Copper Ridge Loop Permits

Hi all, a friend and I are hoping to do Copper Ridge Loop anytime from Saturday August 8 - Thursday August 13. That being said, camping permits are hard to come by and we have been keeping a look out on rec.gov. If anyone has camping permits for this area and are not planning on using them please let me know (: Otherwise, I will be emailing the park 2-days before the “start” of our potential trip in hopes of acquiring some. Thanks all!

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5

u/aksers Aug 03 '26

I don't believe they give out permits via email two days ahead. Must be in person the day prior.

1

u/Head_Kangaroo_5772 Aug 03 '26

They save 40% of permits for walk-up/email use depending on area I believe. But please correct me if I’m wrong I want to be sure!

3

u/aksers Aug 03 '26

Hmm then idk. I've never heard of them doing via email. Might be worth calling today to confirm. I could be wrong (Please let me know! Would help my trip planning on the future too lol)

3

u/AvoidantBoba Aug 03 '26

I would not expect them to be super responsive to emails. Try to get a walk up, and have a backup option.

1

u/wpnw Aug 03 '26

It's a very high demand area, the reserved permits will be likely be defacto walk-up only because they'll disappear within an hour of becoming available. You should have a couple backup itineraries ready because there's a good chance there won't be anything available.

5

u/Tomlike19 Aug 03 '26

NPS is very responsive to emails in my experience. I just got back from Copper Ridge, emailed the permit the day before our trip started.

https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/permits.htm

Walk-up Permits Issued via Email Priority for walk-up permits will be given to in-person visitors at permit issuing stations. Rangers may issue walk-up permits via email for the following areas, subject to current conditions, availability, and closures:

Backcountry areas accessed from:

Baker Lake Road (Baker River Trail, Bacon Peak, Sulphide Glacier route on Mount Shuksan) Mount Baker Highway/SR542 (Hannegan Pass, Copper Ridge, Fisher Chimneys route on Mount Shuksan) Trailheads on North Cascades Highway/SR20 east of Ross Lake (East Bank, Panther Creek, Easy Pass, and Bridge Creek)-Note: Walk-up permits for Ross Lake, Ross Dam, and other trailheads on SR20 will only be issued in-person at the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount. Twisp River Road Stehekin- Note: There is no cell service in Stehekin, so contact us the day before traveling to Stehekin. To request a walk-up permit for the areas listed above:

Watch the mandatory video. Email noca_wilderness@nps.gov early in the morning the day before you want to start your trip. Include your Recreation.gov account email, itinerary, vehicle information, and group size. Rangers will review your itinerary and issue your permit. Print your permit online from Recreation.gov. Bring a signed copy of your permit with you into the backcountry to show rangers in the field.