Hikes in the Enchantments

Day Use Permits

A day-use permit is required to enter the Enchantments Permit Area from May 15 through October 31. These permits are free and self-issued at any of the three trailhead kiosks: Stuart Lake, Snow Lakes, or Eightmile/Lake Stuart. No advance reservation is needed for day hiking.

  • Free, self-issued at the trailhead kiosk

  • Required May 15 - October 31

  • Northwest Forest Pass required for parking ($30/year or $5/day)

  • Parking fills early on weekends — arrive before 7am in summer

Overnight Permits (Lottery)

Overnight camping in the Enchantments requires a permit obtained through a competitive lottery on Recreation.gov. Permits are zone-specific:

Core Enchantments (Upper/Middle/Lower), Colchuck, Stuart/Eightmile, and Snow zones.

  • Lottery opens in February each year

  • Results typically announced March/April

  • Fee applies for the lottery application

  • Walk-up permits: available daily via a geofenced mobile lottery — must be physically within 1 mile of the Leavenworth Ranger Station

  • Camping permit-only: May 15 through October 31

Permits

Enchantment Area Advanced Lottery
USFS Overnight Permit Details
WTA Backcountry Permit Guide

Hard Hikes

Mountain range and evergreen trees reflected in a calm lake with rocks and bushes in the foreground on a clear day.

Stuart Lake

9 Miles Round Trip
1,600 ft Elevation Gain
4-6 Hours Average
Hard
This trail has less notoriety than Colchuck Lake and is often much less crowded on peak weekends.

Trail Information
Scenic view of a mountain range with snow patches, a calm lake in the foreground, evergreen trees, and a clear blue sky.

Colchuck Lake

8 Miles Round Trip
2,280 ft Elevation Gain
4-6 Hours Average
Hard
Gateway to Aasgard Pass; no permit for day hike to lake only.

Trail Information

Very Hard Hikes

Aasgard Pass

(Continues from Colchuck Lake)


+4 Miles Round Trip / 12.2 Miles Round Trip
+1,900 ft Elevation Gain / 4,400 Total Gain.
+2-4 Hours Average / 6 - 10 Hours
Very Hard
Nearly all of the 1,900 in elevation gain takes place in less than 1 mile. To continue past Asgard is to do the Enchantment Thru Hike.

A person climbing over large gray rocks in a mountainous area with steep rocky cliffs on either side and a cloudy sky overhead.
WTA Trail Information
A rushing mountain creek flowing through a lush green forest, seen from a wooden bridge or observation platform.

Snow Lakes

14 Miles Round Trip
4,400 ft Elevation Gain
7 - 10 Hours Average
Very Hard
Requires Overnight Permit
Lower Enchantments access; this trail is often remembered by its brutal descent.

WTA Trail Information
A mountain landscape with rocky slopes, green trees, a blue lake, and a partly cloudy sky.

Little Annapurna

(Spur Trail From Full Enchantment Hike)

22 Miles Round Trip
6,000 ft Elevation Gain
Full Day
Very Hard
Requires Overnight Permit
Accessed from Snow Lakes Trail Head, this mountain is named for its resemblance to the Nepalese peak

WTA Trail Information
A landscape of a mountainous region with dense evergreen forests, a river at the base, and a partly cloudy blue sky.

The Enchantments Thru Hike

18 Miles One Way
4,500 ft Elevation Gain
10 - 14 Hours Average
Very Hard
From Stuart Lake Trail Head to Snow Lake Trail Head, this point-to-point trail requires a shuttle or 2 cars.

WTA Trail Information

Technical

A person hiking on a rocky trail in a mountainous landscape with a peak in the background, surrounded by dense pine trees and cloudy sky.

Prusik Peak is a technical climbing rock climbing route and not a trail

WTA Trail Information

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