Effective February 1, 2010, Grand Canyon National Park will be changing the permit process as to eliminate the advantage locals have in obtaining permits to hike and stay multiple days in the backcountry (read the press release from the NPS).

The current process allows those who show up at the Grand Canyon Backcountry Office the first day permits go on sale priority in getting the permits they want over those who fax their permit requests.   The new process will have all requests faxed or dropped off on the first day permits go on sale randomly ordered, allowing permits to be administered randomly.

The story has appeared in several news outlets with a bit of confusion on how this will work.  Here is the process for getting permits to go into the backcountry in June - for example.

1. Fax, mail or drop off your permit requests to arrive on February 1st by 5pm.  All these requests will be randomly ordered with permits being administered as such.

2. All permit requests submitted on February 2nd and onward will be placed in order but behind all those received on the 1st of the month.

3. You will be notified by mail if you were granted your dates after approximately 10 days.

4. You can physically purchase remaining June permits at the backcountry office on March 1st.

One misrepresentation of data that should be clarified is that according to the Arizona Daily Sun, 1 of every 2 people who submit a request are denied their permit.  This is not true and really depends on the month, your flexibility on dates and the size of camp site you are seeking.  For example, if you are trying to go in October, you have a bit over a 50% chance of getting what you want and you have an even better chance of being denied if you cannot be flexible on dates and are seeking the large camp sites.  If you decide to visit in August (yes it is hot), then you have an almost 100% chance of getting a permit.

The important issue (at least to us anyway) is what this does to guide companies since no guide company gets priority for permits (and don’t allow one to tell you otherwise).  It will be a bit more difficult in granting the exact dates requested (especially late May and early October), but we will still have plenty of dates and itineraries to choose from.

We know the ins and outs of the Canyon.  We know the best months to go to the canyon that are not necessarily the busiest months or those believed to be better by the typical visitor.  We also know some alternate camp areas to still get the trip you want.  Even better, we know the less used trails so we can guide you in the places you wouldn’t even think to go.

Most trails in the canyon are difficult to navigate and hike, but with a guide, these areas are much more accessible.  In other words, make us, and other Grand Canyon guide companies, work for the money you pay - go on less used trails and during less popular months.  You will be granted a more rewarding trip with more solitude and  a truer Grand Canyon experience.

Bottom line, this will not effect us being able to give our guests a top quality tour during any time of the year.