Enchantment Permit Area Rules and Regulations

To protect fragile ecosystems and reduce environmental impacts please follow the rules and regulations listed below including enforceable Forest Service regulations with maximum penalties of $5,000 and/or 6 months in jail. Violation of permit terms or other Forest Service regulations may also invalidate an issued permit, requiring a group to terminate their visit.Thank you for helping to keep the Enchantment Permit Area wild.

Important Information

  • ONE alternate group leader will be accepted during the application period, and cannot be added or changed later. Permit holder MUST carry photo ID with permit and show it to a Ranger upon request.  Permits are not valid without ID and signature. Permit holder must be 18 years or older.
  • Only one lottery application per person will be accepted.
  • If your alternate permit holder accepts being an alternate during the season as a lottery award, they will not be able to hold another permit during the season for any zone. IF you accept an alternate leader role you cannot hold another permit during the season for any zone.
  • Permit holders will be able to print their permit online up to 14 days prior to their trip start date.
  • Permit is NOT VALID if trip is started on date other than what is indicated on the permit.
  • All group members must begin on the reserved trip start date and must camp with the permit holder.
  • Every group member must carry a copy of the permit.
  • Permits must be printed, read and signed by the permit holder, unsigned permits on a cell phone are not valid.

 

Wilderness Permits

  • A valid permit is required for both day and overnight use in the Enchantment Permit Area.
  • Day users can obtain a free, self-issue, wilderness permit at the trailhead.
  • During the quota season (May 15 through October 31), overnight users must obtain a permit through recreation.gov or the Wenatchee River Ranger Station daily lottery. Permits are $5/person/day.
  • Permits are Non-Transferable.
  • Group Leaders or alternate group leaders cannot be changed.
  • You must enter the permit area on the entry date shown on your permit. All group members are required to start on the same day and camp together.  
  • You may camp only in the zone(s) indicated on your permit.
  • Maximum length of stay is 14 consecutive days. People may not exit and reenter at a later date.
  • You must carry your permit and photo identification with you and present these upon request to any Forest Officer or other law enforcement officer throughout the duration of your trip.
  • Every group member must carry a copy of the permit.
  • You may not re-enter on a different date using the same permit.
  • Your permit is not valid until signed.
  • Reminder: A Core Enchantment Zone Permit allows you to camp in ANY of the 5 permit zones.

Group Size

  • Eight (8) people is the maximum group size allowed together in any of the permit zones.
  • You may not exceed the limit at any time while camping or travelling.
  • Two (or more) groups on separate permits may not travel and/or camp together if the total number exceeds eight. For example, a group of 6 may not travel or camp with another group of 3, as this would exceed the 8 person party size limit. Groups must stay separate (minimum of 1 mile and 1hour) and independent throughout their trip.
  • Groups with pack or saddle stock may not exceed a total group size of eight. For example, a group could consist of 4 people + 4 stock for a total group size of eight.  

Parking

Parking along FS Road 7601 is now allowed, but only on right side of road (going up). For vehicles parking on road or in parking area -- a NW Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass or the Overnight Visitor Parking Pass that comes with Enchantments overnight permit must be on display on your vehicle’s dashboard. Day Passes can be purchased at trailhead, and pass must be displayed on dashboard of vehicle, even if parking on the road.

Day hikers are encouraged to park on the road or in the island of parking area. Leave designated overnight parking for permit holders.

Consider carpooling, riding a bike or have someone shuttle you to the trailheads to further reduce impacts and overcrowding. If you have any questions please call the Leavenworth Ranger Station at (509) 548-2550.

Camping

  • Camp only at established campsites-do not camp or travel on vegetation, move rocks, build walls, or disturb soils to improve a site. Loss of vegetation in this fragile environment can occur as a result of decisions from one thoughtless group over the course of one weekend.
  • It is illegal to cut any standing tree, dead or alive, damage vegetation, or damage any natural feature for any reason.
  • All members of a permit group must camp together in one site.
  • You may only camp in the permit zone(s) listed on your permit. NOTE: A Core Enchantment Zone permit will allow you to camp in any of the 5 permit zones.
  • Maximum length of stay is 14 consecutive days. People may not exit and reenter at a later date.

Campfires

  • Fires are prohibited throughout the vast majority of the Enchantment Permit Area; no fires anywhere above 5,000 feet or within 1/2 mile of any lakes.
  • Camp stoves that burn wood or solid fuel are not allowed above 5,000' elevation.
  • Camp stoves that burn liquid gas fuel (butane, propane, white gas, etc) are allowed.

Drones

  • Drones are not allowed within Wilderness areas, which includes all of the Enchantment Permit area because it is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Dogs and other Pets

  • Dogs, and all pets, are prohibited, except for Service Dogs as defined by Department of Justice regulations 28 C.F.R. Part 35.136. Dogs whose sole purpose is to provide therapy, comfort, emotional support or crime deterrent do not qualify as service dogs.

Toilet Facilities & Water Quality

  • Use toilets where provided. Do not put trash into toilets; use them for their intended purpose only.
  • If you're not near a toilet, dig a cat hole 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water sources or campsites. When finished, fill hole and cover with soil. Pack out your toilet paper to reduce your impact further.
  • Do not urinate on vegetation or soils. Use gaps between boulders, crevices in rocks, large flat rocks, sandy bare areas, or the toilets provided. Urine attracts goats and leads to pawing and chewing of plants and soil and may lead to abnormal aggressive animal behavior.
  • Bathe and wash dishes at least 150-200 feet from lakes and streams. Remember that ALL soaps, including biodegradable soaps, pollute water.
  • Treat all water by boiling, using purification tablets, or filtering.

Goats and other Wildlife

  • Do not urinate on vegetation or soils or within campsite areas. This encourages goats to become habituated to human contact and may lead to abnormal and aggressive behaviors. Goat Warning Info
  • Discourage wild animals from becoming too tame - enjoy them from a distance that is safe for both you and them.
  • Never feed the wildlife. Click here for bear safety tips

Pack and Saddle Stock

  • Certified weed free feed is required on ALL National Forest Lands. Click here for more information.
  • Groups with pack or saddle stock may not exceed a total of eight persons plus head of stock. (4 people + 4 mules = 8).
  • Stock are prohibited on the Snow Lake and Colchuck Lake Trails, and are only allowed on the Stuart Lake Trail in the fall from the first Saturday after Labor Day until the end of that year.
  • Stock may not be grazed, tied, hitched, hobbled, or held within 200' of any lake or pond.
  • Camping with stock in the permit area is allowed only at suitable sites more than 200' from water, including the designated stock site at Upper Caroline Lake. No camping with stock is allowed within 1/2 mile of the Eightmile Lakes.
  • Stock may be tied directly to trees only for short periods of time, not to exceed 4 hours, and not to trees of less than 6 inches diameter.

Food and Fish Remains

  • Hang food, toiletries, and other attractive items when in camp, and keep food and camp waste where bears, mice, and other animals cannot reach.
  • Do not feed wildlife or leave food waste for them to find.
  • Dispose of fish remains well away from campsites, trails, and shorelines.

Storing or Caching Supplies

  • It is illegal to leave camp gear or any other supplies or materials unattended for more than 48 hours.
  • Geocaching is prohibited in all designated wilderness areas. Please practice this sport elsewhere.
  • All litter, trash, equipment, and personal property must be carried out with you at the end of each trip.

Fishing, Firearms & Fireworks

  • State fish and game laws apply.
  • Discharging a firearm is prohibited within 150 yards of a campsite, or occupied area, or in any manner or location that places people or property at risk of injury.
  • Fireworks of any kind are illegal.