I traveled up to Grand Canyon yesterday (June 2nd) to try and get permits to go Rim-to-Rim this October but was informed all the camp sites at Cottonwood Campground were already spoken for. Wanda at the Backcountry Office said there were over 250 people who had applied in person for October permits, quickly gobbling up a large portion of the camp sites along the Central Corridor route. My wife and I tried to get up to the Canyon on the 1st but had other obligations, oh well.

Anytime you apply for Backcountry Permits you should try and remain flexible, there really aren't many sites available, and the most popular areas fill up quick. You should apply on the first day of the month four months prior to your start date. For me, the easiest way to remember is to count back five months. So, for October permits 2008, count Oct, Sept, Aug, July, June - therefore apply on June 1st.

For the busiest months (Oct & Nov and April & March) they do start a waiting list sign-up 2-3 days prior to the issuing date (first of the month). You go to the Backcountry Office and are issued a number, you must then sign in again each day prior to the 1st, and be issued a new number. I guess I will be doing that next year (it seems like each year gets a little more difficult).

As it is, I grabbed a permit for Tanner Trail, later in the month of October (I really like to go when there is a nice full moon anyway!). I've done the trail twice and it has stunning views from the Cardenas Butte area.

For more info about Grand Canyon Permits and the Waitlist System visit: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm