Wilderness Permits
A Wilderness Permit is required for each party camping overnight in the John Muir Wilderness. Sixty percent of the wilderness permits for the John Muir Wilderness can be reserved ahead of time. The other 40% are on a first-come, first-served basis.
For such a remote trailhead as Bear Creek, it is wise to have a reservation. Since the Bear Creek Diversion Dam trailhead is in Sierra National Forest, they are the agency that issues the permits. Reservations are now made available through Recreation.gov, replacing the old mail in permit request forms through the ranger station.
Sierra National Forest: "Launching in March 2021, reservations will become available in a rolling window six months up to 14 days in advance of entry dates, if quota space is available, reservations can be made until one day before the trip. To cover the costs associated with the new system, the quota season permit fee will increase to $6 plus, $5 per person.
"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)."
Picking Up Your Permit
Reserved permits can be picked up one or two days before the entry date, or on the entry date. Permits must be picked up at the Prather or North Fork Ranger Station no later than 10:00 AM on the day of your entry. If you do not show up by then, your permit will be canceled. However, you an arrange for a late pickup time of no later than 5:00 PM. You must call the Sierra National Forest up to three days before the trip at either the Prather office: 559-855-5355 or North Fork Office: 559-877-2210 to verify your final group size, and have the permit printed at the office where you will be picking up the permit.
Trail Quotas
For Bear Creek Diversion Dam trailhead, 6 overnight hikers may obtain reservations for a permit per day. Another 4 slots are available as "walk-in permits".
If all the reservations for the Bear Creek Diversion Dam are taken, consider Bear Creek Ridge as an alternative route.
Sierra National Forest: Obtaining a Wilderness Permit
Sandpiper Lake
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.
High Sierra Ranger District Office
Located along Highway 168, just east of Prather.
29688 Auberry Road (PO Box 559), Prather, CA 93651
(559) 855-5355
Open 7 days a week during busy season, 8 AM to 4:30 PM
COVID modifications may change office availability
Lou Beverly Lake