Wilderness Permit Office

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No printed permit, no night in the backcountry. The Wilderness Office on Mills Drive, near the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, is where east-side backpackers in Rocky Mountain National Park pick up that hard-copy permit and the dashtag for the car, in person, with no exceptions.

Bring the bear canister. Every wilderness overnight requires a hard-sided, lockable, commercially made one, and it has to come into the office before a permit is issued. Food, scented items and trash all go inside it. Campfires and dispersed camping are not allowed.

Reservations come first, so book the trip before showing up. The rangers at the desk get steady credit for being helpful and accommodating, and they will give advice on hiking and camping for a backcountry trip. Day hikers don't need to stop here. It opens early enough to grab a permit before starting up the trail, which helps on a summer day when afternoon weather is worth beating.