John Muir Trail Wilderness Permits

Yosemite Valley to Mt. Whitney

McClure Meadow, Kings Canyon National Park, California
McClure Meadow, Kings Canyon National Park, California

John Muir Trail
Wilderness Permits

Yosemite Valley to Mt. Whitney


Wilderness Permits

A wilderness permit is required for each party staying overnight in the wilderness. Beginning in 2022, reservations are handled by Recreation.gov. Reservations by a weekly lottery for 60% of available permits for hikes beginning in Yosemite can be made up to 24 weeks in advance of departure date. Any of the 60% reservations that remain "become available on a first-come, first-served basis after the lottery process is complete for that week's reservations up until seven days in advance." The lottery application period is every Sunday through Saturday, beginnng in mid-November and continuing through early May. Read full details at Wilderness Permit Reservations.

The maximum number of people per party is 15 (8 if hiking cross country), but some trailhead quotas are less than that. There is a daily quota of overnight hikers permitted to enter at each trailhead. No permit is required for day hikers. Usually 60 percent of the daily quota of hiker slots may be reserved ahead of time, the other 40 percent become available as first-come, first-served as "walk-up" permits. (See Walk-up Wilderness Permits below.) Any unused reservations are added to the 40 percent one day in advance of intended entry date.

Donohue Pass Exit Quotas

Due to the high demand for John Muir Trail permits, Yosemite has established a Donohue Pass Exit Quota of 45 hikers per day. Only hikers starting from Happy Isles or Lyell Canyon(Tuolumne Meadows) can obtain a Donohue Pass exit permit. Only 15 permits for hikers starting in Happy Isles and going over Donohue Pass are issued each day (9 by reservation and 6 first-come, first served). Those hikers must go beyond Little Yosemite Valley at least as far as the Half Dome Trail junction for the first night of camping. For those starting in Lyell Canyon (Tuolumne Meadows), in 2022, 30 permits were available (18 by reservation, 12 first-come, first-served). Those numbers may change in 2023. See Yosemite Trail Quotas. There is no longer a separate JMT lottery.


"Walk-up" Wilderness Permits

Permits available separate from the reservation system, i.e. the remaining 40% of trailhead quotas, will be released on a first-come, first-served basis on Recreation.gov seven days in advance at 7:00 AM PDT. Competition online is stiff, so be logged on and ready to go at 7:00 AM.

Lottery

Lottery rules have changed and are complicated, so it is best to read the information about the lottery on the Yosemite website: Wilderness Permit Reservations.

Online Applications

Backpackers leaving Yosemite on the John Muir Trail should submit an online application for the lottery 24 weeks in advance of departure date. Check Yosemite's handy chart - Wilderness Permit Reservation Window - which tells you when to submit your application for the lottery.

Establish an account with Recreation.gov. and apply for your permit at Recreation.gov - Yosemite Wilderness Permits

Descending Mount Whitney, Sequoia National Park, California

Mount Whitney Trail

Fees

Reservations require a $10 processing fee and a $5 fee per person. Once your permit is accepted, an email will be sent to you with a link for payment. You must pay your fees within the time limit indicated on your email. First-come, first-served (walk-up) permits now have the same fees.

Picking Up Your Permit

Permits may be picked up the day before your hike or the day of your hike by 10:00 AM at a Wilderness Center in Yosemite Valley (near the post office), in Tuolumne Meadows (1 mile east of the visitor center on the main road), or at the Big Oak Flat Entrance Station. (For late arrivals, log onto your account on the Recreation.gov website and modify your application saying "Yes" for late arrival). Office hours change, so check Yosemite Current Conditions for the hours. The permit covers your entire trip to Mt. Whitney and Whitney Portal.

Key Wilderness Regulations

Campfires are prohibited above 9,600' in Yosemite and 10,000' in Kings Canyon and Sequoia. Also, some areas such as Thousand Island or Garnet lakes do not permit fires.
Bear canisters are required in Yosemite, many wilderness areas, and most of Kings Canyon and Sequoia.
No pets are allowed in national park wildernesses.

Regulations and procedures are often adjusted due to changes in forest conditions (e.g. wildfires, COVID-19), so it is wise to check the park websites for a complete list of regulations and any changes in permit application procedures.


Books and Maps

Elizabeth Wenk's John Muir Trail: The Essential Guide to Hiking America's Most Famous Trail is considered among the best.

Tom Harrison's John Muir Trail Map Pack covers the JMT all the way from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney and Whitney Portal.


Backpacking Supplies


Shop Amazon for
Backpacking Essentials

Mountain Shop at Curry Village Camping gear and supplies, dehydrated food, snacks.
Coming in via Highway 41, try Big 5 Sporting Goods at 40072 CA-49 ste. A, in Oakhurst.
In Groveland on Highway 120, stop at Yosemite Adventure Supplies.

Eastside Sports at 224 N. Main in Bishop features a full inventory of backpacking gear, including clothing, boots, sleeping bags and pads, headlamps, tents, and so much more.