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.)
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
Mount Lyell
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 Devils Postpile.
