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GENERAL PERMIT INFORMATION
Wilderness permits are required for all overnight camping outside designated car campgrounds. Day hikes do not require permits, except in the Mount Whitney area.
It is the responsibility of every hiker to know, understand and practice all minimum impact regulations.OUTSIDE THE QUOTA PERIOD: September 27, 2009 to May 27, 2010
Wilderness permits during this time are NOT limited by daily entry quotas. Permits are free and can be self-issued at the locations listed below.
- At the Lodgepole Visitor Center, the self-issue station is to the left of the front doors (available 24 hours a day).
- At the Foothills Visitor Center, the self-issue station is near the restrooms (available 24 hours a day).
- Permits are available inside the Kings Canyon Visitor Center (in Grant Grove) when it is open.
- At the Roads End Permit Station, the self-issue station is on the porch (available 24 hours a day). The road to the area usually closes sometime in the first half of November.
- At the Mineral King Ranger Station, the self-issue station is on the porch (available 24 hours a day). The Mineral King Road usually closes in early November.
INSIDE THE QUOTA PERIOD: Now to September 26, 2009
Quotas limit the number of people entering each trail on a single day. During this quota season, permits require a $15 wilderness camping fee.
During the quota season, permits are issued based on the trailhead where you begin your trip and must be obtained from the permit station closest to your trailhead. Many permits for trails entering the parks from the north, south, and east are issued by other agencies.
Approximately three-quarters of the daily trail quota (see trail descriptions) may be reserved. Permits for unreserved spaces are available on a first-come, first serve basis.
First-come permits may be obtained beginning 1:00 pm the day before the start of the trip. More openings may be available after 9:00 the morning of the trip if any reservations are unclaimed.
Hours listed below are tentative for 2009.
- Roads End Permit Station Hours: 7am to 3pm
- Kings Canyon Visitor Center Wilderness Permit Hours (Grant Grove): 9am to 5:30pm
- Lodgepole Wilderness Permit Desk: 7am to 11am and 12pm to 3:30pm
- Ash Mountain Wilderness Office (near Foothills Visitor Center): 8am to 4pm
- Mineral King Ranger Station: 8am to 4pm
RESERVATIONS
Reservations are available at least two weeks in advance for trips within the quota period. If you reserve a permit, the $15 wilderness camping fee must be submitted with the reservation request. For each calendar year, reservation requests are accepted from March 1 to September 10 by fax or mail.
Reserved permits may be picked up after 1:00 the afternoon preceding the beginning of the hike, and will be held until 9:00 the morning of the hike. If you know you will be delayed, call the Wilderness Office to hold your reserved permit.
Complete details and instructions can be read in the application form below.
Once we start processing reservations in March 2009, you can check which dates are fully booked and almost booked by clicking here.
No Reservations for the Lakes Trail: The Lakes Trail (toward Pear Lake, Emerald Lake, and the Tablelands) is the only trail in these parks not open to reservations. This trail does maintain a daily quota managed by the Lodgepole Wilderness Permit Desk. All wilderness permits for this trail are issued on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Permit Information for Bearpaw and Sequoia High Sierra Camp Guests: With a reservation to stay at a High Sierra Camp, you are not subject to the daily trail quota or the wilderness camping fee. However, you must obtain a wilderness permit from the Lodgepole Visitor Center.
If you spend any nights away from a High Sierra Camp (e.g., continuing on the High Sierra Trail to Mount Whitney), you are subject to the daily entry quota and wilderness camping fee for the entry trail. For Bearpaw guests, this entry trail is the High Sierra Trail. For Sequoia guests, this entry trail may be Twin Lakes, JO Pass, Sugarloaf, or Belle Canyon.
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