Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Planning links:

Usage statistics - 2022, 2021. 2020 , 2019, 2018, 2017

Over the years the Backcountry Use Statistics have become one of the most interesting tools for me because it quickly calls out both popular areas and areas that get less traffic - both very very useful!

Official Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Permit Page

Recreation.gov Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Permits

Recreation.gov Backcountry Detailed Availability Instructions

In late 2023 the Grand Canyon made the move to Recreation.gov for Backcountry Permits - I'll miss faxing in permits and getting emails back but have to say that it is useful to be able to see the open dates!

The move to Recreation.gov simplifies some permits but there are still lotteries for a number of permits and a few interesting details about 'Wild space' (W) permits - so both the (classic) Official Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Permit Page and the newer Recreation.gov Backcountry Detailed Availability Instructions are useful.

Of particular note to anyone who has somehow found these notes is that for the Grand Canyon Backcountry a 'W' on Recreation.gov is indicating either a 'Walkup' (Havasupai Gardens and Cottonwood Campground last minute permits) or a 'Wild space'.

The unexpected detail if you have used Recreation.gov for campsites is that for Wild space 'W's you CAN apply in advance for a permit and it does NOT mean 'In person at the Backcountry Office Only'.

The Wild space application process (basically a form and an email) is detailed on the Backcountry Detailed Availability Page and applies to areas where for access/ruggedness/difficulty reasons they will not issue a permit without getting additional information from you.

Map (PDF) of the Backcountry Use Areas/Codes

Needed for backcountry permits - not found on all trail maps and apparently not yet available on Recreation.gov so very useful to have handy.

Reference table of Backcountry Use Areas

I am not sure if this table is/stays completely current but it offers more information than the list on the official Backcountry Page.

Single PDF File with NPS Trail PDFs, Use Zone Map and Backcountry Usage Information

Compiled in October of 2019 to create single no-internet-needed resource for quick Grand Canyon planning that I could easily share and put on my computer/phone/tablet... This resource will not stay up to date - but should be very useful offline/compiled info for a number of years. The links below should stay more up-to-date.