Do I need a permit for the Four Pass Loop?
Yes. Every overnight stay in the Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness needs a permit, year-round. You reserve a zone for each night of your route, so a three-night loop means three nights booked, one for each zone you sleep in.
How do the Four Pass Loop zones work?
In the dispersed zones, including Maroon, North Fork, East Fork, Geneva Lake, Snowmass Lake and Upper Snowmass, you pick an established site at least 70 big steps from trails and water. Crater Lake is different: you camp at the site assigned on your permit. Zones that aren't listed for camping are pass-through only and can't be booked on their own.
No official page sets a separate consecutive-night rule for the loop. The limit is 7 nights per permit. Bear-resistant canisters are required.
How much does a Four Pass Loop permit cost?
$10 a person a night from May 1 to October 31, free for kids 16 and under, plus a $6 non-refundable reservation fee per permit, per recreation.gov.
When are Four Pass Loop permits released?
Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness permits release in batches on recreation.gov at 8 a.m. Mountain Time, not on a rolling window. In 2025, the Forest Service opened April 1 to July 31 trips on February 15, and August 1 to November 30 trips on June 15. The 2027 dates weren't posted when we checked, so watch the Important Dates on the recreation.gov permit page.
Can I get a Four Pass Loop permit after it sells out?
Yes, it can happen. People cancel, and recreation.gov puts cancelled permits back into inventory within 24 hours. Permit holders can cancel for a refund, minus the $6 fee, up to 48 hours before their start date. Once a permit is printed, which you can do up to 14 days ahead, it can't be changed or cancelled.
Do I need a separate reservation to reach the trailhead?
Yes. The road to Maroon Lake needs a reservation for the shuttle or for trailhead parking, booked at visitmaroonbells.com, and the Forest Service says that includes overnight parking for backpackers. It doesn't say a wilderness permit covers parking, so book both.
How many people can go on one permit?
Most permits cover up to 4 people, and a group can't go over 10 across several sites. Each person can hold 2 permits a calendar year, up to 7 nights each, with no overlapping nights. The permit holder or a named alternate leader has to be on the trip.
Sold out for your Four Pass Loop dates?
Pick your nights and we'll email you when a Four Pass Loop permit opens. You book it yourself on recreation.gov. Setting a watch is free.
Nearby and related
Common questions
Do you need a permit for the Four Pass Loop?
Yes. Every night needs a permit for the zone you camp in, year-round, booked on recreation.gov.
When do Four Pass Loop permits come out?
Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness permits release in batches on recreation.gov at 8 a.m. Mountain Time, not on a rolling window. In 2025, the Forest Service opened April 1 to July 31 trips on February 15, and August 1 to November 30 trips on June 15. The 2027 dates weren't posted when we checked, so watch the Important Dates on the recreation.gov permit page.
Do I need a parking reservation for the Four Pass Loop?
Yes. Maroon Lake needs a shuttle or parking reservation from visitmaroonbells.com, including overnight parking for backpackers. The Forest Service doesn't say a wilderness permit covers it.
What happens to cancelled Four Pass Loop permits?
recreation.gov puts them back into inventory within 24 hours, where anyone can book them. Set a watch and we email you when one opens for your dates.
Can Campsite Ranger book a permit for me?
No. Campsite Ranger never books for anyone and never asks for your recreation.gov login. It emails you when a permit for your dates opens, and you book it yourself on recreation.gov.