GENERAL PERMIT INFORMATION
Wilderness permits are required for all overnight camping outside designated car campgrounds. Day hikes do not require permits. It is the responsibility of every hiker to know, understand and practice all 2011 minimum impact restrictions.
OUTSIDE THE QUOTA PERIOD: September 25, 2011 to May 24, 2012
During this time, wilderness permits are NOT limited to daily entry quotas and are free. For the purpose of Search and Rescue incidents, permits must be obtained at the proper issuing locations listed below. The information you provide on your permit may be vital in assisting us during an emergency incident.
- 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: May 25, 2012 to September 22, 2012
Quotas limit the number of people entering each trail on a single day. During this quota season, there is a $15 wilderness permit fee for overnight trips per group. The permits are issued for the trailhead where you begin your trip and must be obtained from the permit station closest to your trailhead.
Permits for trails entering Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks from the north, south, and east boundaries are issued by other agencies. This will be the only permit you need when starting from Inyo, Sierra, and Sequoia National Forests Service lands and hiking into the national parks.
From the High Sierra Trail and Mineral King area to the summit of Mt. Whitney and exiting Whitney Portal: the only permit you need is from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Use the application form below.
Approximately three-quarters of the daily trail quota (see trail descriptions) may be reserved in advance. Wilderness permits for unreserved spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. They may be obtained beginning 1:00 pm the day before the start of your trip at the permit station closest to the trailhead. More openings may be available after 9:00 the morning of the trip if any reservations are unclaimed.
Hours listed below are tentative for the 2012 permit season.
- Roads End Permit Station Hours: 7am to 2:45pm
- Kings Canyon Visitor Center Wilderness Permit Hours (Grant Grove): 9am to 4pm
- 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 3:45 pm
RESERVATIONS
Reservations are available at least two weeks in advance for trips within the quota period. Applications for reservations are accepted by fax or US mail from March 1 to September 8, 2012. The $15.00 wilderness permit fee must be submitted with the reservation application.
Reserved permits may be obtained beginning 1:00 pm the day before your planned hike and will be held until 9:00 the morning of the hike. If you know you will be delayed, call the Wilderness Office by 8:30 am to hold your reserved permit.
Complete details and instructions can be read in the application form below. Applications for the 2012 summer season will be accepted on or after midnight (12:00 am PST), Thursday, March 1, 2012. Applications must be received a minimum of 14 days before the date you start your hike. The last day to submit an application for the 2012 season is Saturday, September 8, 2012. Walk-up permits will continue to be available through September 22, 2012, when the Quota Season ends. Self-Issue permits will be available beginning on September 23, 2012.
TRAIL HEAD AVAILABILITY: once we start processing reservations in March 2012, 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 of 25 people and is 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 a permit fee. However, you must obtain a wilderness permit from the Lodgepole Visitor Center. If you extend your trip and spend additional 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 permit fee.
Wilderness Trip Planner
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