A Wilderness Permit is required for every party camping overnight in the John Muir Wilderness and in Kings Canyon National Park. Since your trip originates in the John Muir Wilderness, obtain your permit from the Sierra National Forest. It covers your entire trip, including the portion into Kings Canyon.

Sixty percent of the daily slots allocated for people camping overnight the John Muir Wilderness can be reserved up to 6 months ahead of departure date using the Recreation.gov website. 40% of the trailhead quota traditionally set aside as "walk-in permits" is now being added to the reservation website and updated with each reservation. Due to the ability to reserve these permits, there will be a fee of $6.00 per permit and $5.00 per person (the same as standard reservations - refundable up to 12 days in advance of trip date).

Permits may be picked up from 48 hours prior to departure at the designated ranger station. Deadline for pickup is 10 AM on your date of departure; otherwise your reservation will be cancelled. However, you can arrange for late pickup as late as 5 PM on the day of your departure. Call the Prather ranger office up to 3 days before the tip to arrange late pickup -(559) 855-5355.

For the John Muir Wilderness, pick up your permit at the Prather ranger office: High Sierra Ranger District, located along the highway, just east of town.
29688 Auberry Road (PO Box 559), Prather, CA 93651
(559) 855-5355     Open 7 days a week, 8am-4:30pm
Sierra National Forest: Obtaining a Wilderness Permit

Alternate Trail to Evolution Valley

An alternate approach to Evolution Valley begins at North Lake on the eastern side of the Sierra. The 23-mile route follows Piute Creek down to join the John Muir Trail.