USFS: New wilderness permits aim to curb impacts of crowds

Update: Adding video, Deschutes National Forest comments )

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- If you plan on hiking in the Cascades wilderness areas this summer, you might need to register for a permit ahead of time.

The Willamette and Deschutes national forests will implement a permit system for day and overnight use starting in May. 

Permits will be required at 19 of the 79 trails in the Mount Jefferson, Mt. Washington and Three Sisters (east and west) wilderness areas.

Deschutes National Forest Public Affairs Officer Jean Nelson-Dean noted to NewsChannel 21 the new system still leaves plenty of trails that can be used without getting a permit. 

"Sixty trails don't require permits,” Nelson-Dean said. “Sixty trails are always going to be available for spontaneous going out and enjoying these wilderness areas."

Nelson-Dean said the Deschutes National Forest has seen more than a 300% increase in recreational use over the past five years.

The new permit system's key goal is to direct people to the other trails while monitoring the main trail use. 

"It's just a matter of trying to reduce use in some of these overused areas,” Nelson-Dean said. 

She said some trails are facing resource and vegetation damage, an increase in garbage, and human and dog waste issues.

"Our goal is to allow people to access these wilderness areas, at the same time protecting them for future generations," she said.

From May 28 until Sept. 24, day use permits will be $1 per person, per day. 

Overnight permits will be $6 for groups up 12 for as many as 14 days.

Reservations open on April 6 at 7 a.m.

Nelson-Dean said they do plan to penalize those who ignore the permit system. 

"Well, in our first year, we know that this is new, right? So we will try to educate people first,” Nelson-Dean said. “If people continue to violate that, then there are fines going up if they continue to violate the permit system."

She said they are working with Deschutes Public Libraries to create a free check-out pass for those with financial limitations.

Nelson-Dean said they understand that this may take some getting used, but she feels after years of research and discussion, the change is necessary.

"We really need to protect these wilderness areas, and we still are providing areas for people to go out and recreate," she said. "And I think that's the important thing for people to understand." 

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Here's the full announcement with more details that the Forest Service released Thursday:

The Deschutes and Willamette national forests announced Thursday that they will move forward with implementing the Central Cascades Wilderness Permit System in May of this year.

The initial implementation of the permit system was delayed last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beginning Friday, May 28 and ending on Friday, Sept. 24, day-use permits will be required for 19 out of 79 trails in the Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, and Three Sisters wilderness areas.

During the same period, overnight-use permits will be required for all trails in those same three wilderness areas.

"60 trails don't require permits,” Nelson-Dean said. “60 trails are always going to be available for spontaneous going out and enjoying these wilderness areas."

There are some exceptions for Pacific Crest Trail hikers, volunteers and hunters.

More information about the permits can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/specialplaces/?cid=fseprd688355

Reservations for the permits will open at 7 a.m. on April 6, at www.Recreation.gov.

The Forest Service said it encourages everyone to “go online, don’t stand in line.”

Permits will be available in the following way:

• Overnight Use Availability:
  • 40% full season available on April 6. 
  • 60% available on a 7-day rolling window. 
• Day Use Availability:
  • 20-50% of a trailhead’s full season will be available on April 6. 
  • 50-80% of a trailhead’s permits will be available on a 7-day rolling window, to allow for people to take more spontaneous trips. 

Reservations can also be made by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Individuals can also get permits at Deschutes and Willamette National Forest offices, but it should be noted due to COVID, national forest offices may be closed to the public. People should call the office ahead of time to make sure it is open.

Processing fees will be applied to the permits, regardless of how they are reserved. Day-use permits will be charged $1 per permit per person. Overnight-use permits will be charged $6 per trip. Overnight permits can include up to 12 people for a trip of up to 14 days.