Grand Canyon hiking permits?

Spring break is their busy season, so I'd fax the application in ASAP. It helps to be somewhat fluid in your plans with alternate camps and a range of start/end dates. Most of the time it isn't an issue but once I didn't get a permit out of 4 applications over the years (it was for a big group with no alternate plan really possible).

http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm

Yes, if you do not plan/apply in advance you will be relying on luck to get a permit. You're talking about the most popular backpack in a very popular park during the second most popular time of year. You can apply beginning Nov 1 for March permits. I'd fax your app no later than 0800 MDT on November 1st.

Dayhiking up the North Kaibab and back is a good option. Play in the creek, check out Ribbon Falls, etc. If you can make it up to beyond the pump house to see Roaring Springs that is highly recommended.

Just got back from there 2 days ago (the first time in GC that I was NOT in the backcountry boonies!).

Everything Dave C. says is 100% correct. Walk-in permits exist, but you will have a LOT of competition for them… even if you apply in advance for your permit, demand may exceed supply.

Another option for a day hike would be to go several miles on the Clear Creek trail (no water available), and turn around whenever you feel like it. The views of the river from that trail are very nice.

The good news is that, if you can't get permits for that area, you could try other trails like South Bass (easy trail to the river, but you MUST have a 4wd vehicle), Grandview (no river access via established trail, but lots of fun day hikes, a cave to explore, etc.), or Hermit/Boucher (rougher area).

Finally, if you can't get a permit for the campground near Phantom Ranch, you could try to get a room in one of the dorms at Phantom Ranch (contact Xanterra directly – https://secure.xanterra.net/forms/pub/GCSR_phantom_res_form.php). If you're staying at Phantom Ranch, you won't need a backcountry permit, because you'll be "day hiking".

There's a lottery on the first day of the month for permits 4 months out. For March, 2015 permits (determined by START DATE), the lottery is NOVEMBER 1. For April permits, lottery is December 1. Go to the Backcountry Permits webpage on the park website, fill out the form and make sure you FAX it in ON the lottery date. They take all the requests received that day (up to 5pm) and shuffle them before filling them.

Unpublished hint: if you fax it in up to a week in advance, they'll just hold onto it and put it into the lottery for you. Just make sure you do fax it in by 5pm (their time, which is in Flagstaff, AZ.)

Another hint: March permits are easier to get than April permits. If you're considering early April, I'd put in a request in the November 1st lottery with a start date of March 31. If you don't get one, you get a second chance on December 1st with an April start date.

Your chances increase A LOT by putting in a date range instead of specific dates. Check the "Additional Trip Choices" option and put in a date range. When they get to your request, they first try to fill your 1st and 2nd itinerary choices, then they start with the first day in your date range and try to fill your itinerary choices starting that day, then the next day, and so on.

There are very few walk-in permits (not like Yosemite where they set a portion aside.) There is a waitlist process. You get a number that's your waitlist position. Every morning, they start at the beginning and when it's your turn, you can either take a permit that's available OR get a new waitlist number for the following morning. You keep going back every morning until you get the permit you want.

Good daytrips for a layover day at PR include Clear Creek, Ribbon Falls (up North Kaibab trail), Utah Flats. You can also explore Phantom Creek.