[trvrsalom]

I will say that I take issue with the fact that several of the more popular trails/areas where permits are issued by lottery. Recreation.gov charges a $10 lottery fee, which you pay even if you don’t get a permit, on top of the fee for the actual permit.

[cactacea]

They're raking in the cash on these lotteries for places like The Wave. This is 100% my problem with it as well.

https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909

Application Fee: A non-refundable $9.00 lottery fee is required for each lottery application.

I went to the lottery a few times in Kanab and never got a permit. I've resigned myself to the fact that I'll probably never get one now.

[tcrenshaw]

How else would you suggest they do it? Demand has out placed the supply, it's either they charge a shitload, putting it out of reach for all but the elites, or put it behind a lottery.

[cactacea]

https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-enhance-permitting-pro...

https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251909

Note that the application fees are separate from the permit itself as well:

Application Fee: A non-refundable $9.00 lottery fee is required for each lottery application.

Recreation Fee: If selected in the lottery, a recreation fee of $7.00 per person or dog is required. This fee is paid online when filling in additional information to complete the process after successfully winning. Everyone, regardless of age, must be included in the permit. This includes infants that are not walking. Payment of recreation fees is only required if a permit is awarded through the lottery.