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

A serene mountain lake surrounded by dense evergreen trees, with mountains in the background under a clear blue sky, and its reflection visible in the calm water.

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
A mountain landscape with tall rocky peaks, some with patches of snow, and a green forest at the base. A calm lake reflects the mountains and the clear blue sky above.

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.

Two hikers are climbing a rocky mountain trail surrounded by large boulders, green bushes, and steep rocky cliffs under a cloudy sky.
WTA Trail Information
A mountain stream rushing over rocks in a lush green forest, viewed from a wooden bridge or 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, a forested area, a lake, and a partly cloudy blue 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 panoramic view of a mountain range with dense forested slopes, a river or lake in the valley, and a partly cloudy sky overhead.

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 with a backpack and hiking poles walking on a rocky trail through a mountainous area, with tall trees and a prominent mountain peak in the background under a cloudy sky.

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

WTA Trail Information

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