Wilderness Permits
Free wilderness permits are required year-round for any overnight stay in the Yosemite Wilderness. Permits are not required for day hikes - Except for Half Dome
Trailhead Quota System
Yosemite National Park has a trailhead quota system limiting the number of people entering a particular trailhead on a given day. This system is designed to reduce impacts and to avoid overcrowding, in keeping with the Wilderness Act's mandate of providing "outstanding opportunities for solitude." Of each daily quota for a trailhead, 60 percent can be reserved ahead of time while the remaining 40 percent is available on a first-come, first-served basis one day prior to, or if still available, the same day as the beginning of your hike.
The quota system is based on when and where you begin your hike, and in some cases, where you camp the first night of your trip. For this reason, (even with multiday permits) you may not begin your trip on any day except the entry day specified on the permit. Your permit is valid only for the entry trailhead specified. After the first night, you are allowed to hike unrestricted within the network of trails accessible from your entry trailhead.
View a list of quotas for each trailhead
Wilderness Permit Reservations
Wilderness permit reservations are available up to 24 weeks (168 days) in advance when the wilderness permit reservation office is open (early January through October). Reservations are not available two or fewer days in advance (see below for information about first-come, first-served permits). (View a table showing when you can make a reservation for a specific day.)
The cost for each confirmed reservation is $5 plus $5 per person. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Even with a reservation, you or another member of your hiking group, must pick up the wilderness permit at any permit station during business hours the day of, or the day before your hike. Reserved permits are held until 10 am on the day of your trip. If you will arrive later than 10 am on the day of your trip, please call 209/372-0308 to hold your permit for a late arrival. Otherwise, your permit reservation will be canceled. Permits held for late arrival still must be picked up at a permit station during business hours. (You can check current hours for permit stations at the bottom of the wilderness conditions update.)
Please plan your trip before you make a reservation. It is your responsibility to research trails and trail conditions to decide which trip is right for you and your group. Park rangers will not plan your trip for you.
Before making a reservation, check availability. If the date or trailhead isn't listed, space is available for at least one person (but not necessarily for your entire group). When viewing this multi-page report, please note the effective date at the top.
To make a reservation please have the name the permit will be under, mailing address, daytime telephone number, number of people, number of stock (horses, mules, llamas), start and end dates, beginning and ending trailheads, principal destination (to help clarify trailhead), method of payment ($5 plus $5/person): credit card, check, or money order.
Three Ways to Make a Reservation
The reservation office is open January through October and accepts reservations for trips during May through September. Reservations are not necessary for trips during November through April. The office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm. The Yosemite Association is proud to offer extended office hours from Memorial Day through Labor Day; Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday, 9:00am - 4:00pm.
- Fax: Please complete and print the reservation form [340 kb PDF], and then fax it to (209) 372-0739. Allow two weeks to receive a printed confirmation by mail. If you provide an email address, you will receive a generic email confirmation within one business day stating whether you received your first, second, or third choice. If you would like to request a reservation for a departure date within the next two weeks, please apply by phone.
- Phone: Please have your trip planned and the above information ready before calling (209) 372-0740. Our reservation phone line is very busy, if possible please fax or mail in requests.
- Mail: Please complete and print the reservation form [340 kb PDF], or send a letter with the information requested above, along with payment, to Wilderness Permits, PO Box 545, Yosemite, CA, 95389. Make checks and money orders payable to "Yosemite Association." All major credit cards are accepted. Do not send cash. Please allow two weeks to receive a response.
Only apply once for each request: If you apply twice for the same request, you will be charged a non-refundable, non-transferable processing fee for both reservations.
Reservation changes: If space is available within the same season, you can request a change to your existing reservation's date or trailhead for no additional charge. If you have questions regarding your reservation, or would like to make changes to an existing reservation, please do so only by calling (209) 372-0740. We are unable to correspond by email or fax. Processing fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
First-Come, First-Served Permits
Permits are also available at any permit issuing station starting one day prior to the beginning of your hike. All wilderness permits must be picked up in person by a member of the hiking group. Priority for permits for a particular trailhead is given to the closest permit issuing station, though it is possible to obtain a permit for any trailhead at any permit issuing station. This mainly affects the most popular trailheads that fill up quickly each morning, such as Little Yosemite Valley trailheads, Lyell Canyon, Cathedral Lakes, among others. (View a list of trailheads showing which permit station has priority over each.) Though popular trailheads may fill, there is always space available on other trailheads in the park.
Would you like to hike with others or learn more about Yosemite and its magnificent surroundings? The Association invites you to join us on one of our Outdoor Adventure Programs. Come enjoy an informative and fun vacation with other park visitors and our knowledgeable instructors. Courses are intended to offer educational experiences that stimulate and refresh the mind, body, and spirit. For more information call (209) 379-2321, ext. 17, or click on the link above.
For seasonal updates and hours of operations please check the wilderness conditions page- Wilderness Conditions.
Winter Permits (November - April)
Wilderness permits are required in winter (November through April), but are available on a self-registration basis. No reservations are necessary. During winter self-register for permits at any normal permit issuing station. For self-registration locations and bear canister rentals please check the wilderness conditions page listed above. For trips beginning at Badger Pass, you must get your permit at the Badger Pass Ranger Station ("A-frame").
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