Alaska lotteries & limited permits
Some of Alaska's best experiences aren't first-come on a cabin calendar — you either win a lottery by a deadline, or grab a limited permit the day it's released. Miss the date and you wait a year. Confirm every date at the source link before acting.
Lottery to book Brooks Lodge bear-viewing stays roughly 1.5 years out.
When: Lottery runs in December for stays ~18 months out. Confirm exact dates at the link.
Limited daily permits, first-come on recreation.gov: 24/day (only 12 public), $60. Required Apr 1 to Sep 30; peak Jul 5 to Aug 25. They go fast at release.
When: Permits drop on recreation.gov in early February for the whole season. Be ready.
Limited day-use permits, first-come on recreation.gov (60/day) — released early February, 8am. Required Jul 5 to Aug 25. A small weekly last-minute lottery (4/day) also runs in peak season via the Wrangell Ranger District.
When: Permits drop on recreation.gov in early February; high demand, book ~6 months out.
Lottery for guided brown-bear viewing permits (season Jun 7 to Aug 25). 185 permits; $225 resident / $525 non-resident, fee due Apr 15.
When: Apply Mar 2 (year prior) through Mar 1. Firm deadline.
Lottery for a permit to drive the Denali Park Road over 4 days in mid-September.
When: Normally apply May 1-31 via recreation.gov — SUSPENDED since 2021 (Pretty Rocks landslide closed the road at Mile 43). Watch the link for reinstatement.
Reminders email you ahead of the date (members only). Know an Alaska lottery or permit we're missing? Tell us and we'll add it.