Back to Wilderness Hub | Week-Ahead Reservations | Designated Wilderness Campgrounds

All wilderness permit reservation requests are processed by Yosemite Conservancy through Recreation.gov.

For entry dates beginning late April to mid-October, 60% percent of reservations become available beginning 24 weeks in advance, and 40% percent become available one week in advance. Reservations are available up to three days in advance. No portion of the quota is held for in-person walk-ups.Outside of these days, permits are available via self-registration.

Weekly Lotteries

Sixty percent of trailhead quotas are released via weekly lotteries 24 weeks in advance of an entry date.

Before submitting a lottery application, read the information below, and be sure you know where and when you want to start your backpacking trip.

Lottery Information

Application Timeframe

➡️ Use the Wilderness Permit Lottery Window to learn when to apply for your desired start date.
➡️ The lottery application period is from Sunday at 12:01 am to Saturday at 11:59 pm, with email notification sent the following Monday evening.
➡️ Results of each lottery are sent by Recreation.gov via email the Monday following the application period by 5 pm (PT). Successful applicants have until 11:59 pm (PT) on Thursday following the award notice to accept or decline a lottery award.
➡️ Applications are only for entry date, entry point and group size. Applicants may list up to eight preferred itineraries (entry point, entry date, group size) on an application. Only one preference may be awarded per week.

Fees

➡️ There is a $10 non-refundable lottery application fee. This fee is charged regardless of your application status.

Lottery Rules

➡️ Only one application is allowed per lottery, per group. A group is anyone that may be planning to hike together. Multiple applications from the same group are not allowed. Submitting multiple applications for a group does not increase your chance of success. Duplicate applications received from the same group or person will be canceled without refund.
➡️Alternate permit holders must be added before you submit your application. Primary and alternate permit holders cannot be added or modified after an application is submitted. You can modify all other aspects of your application while the lottery window is still open. Once the lottery closes, changes cannot be made.

How to Apply to the Lottery

➡️ Watch this step-by-step tutorial before you apply in the wilderness permit lottery.

Ready to apply? Head to Recreation.gov 

How to Accept a Lottery Award

➡️ Results of each lottery are sent by Recreation.gov via email the Monday following the application period by 5 pm (PT). Successful applicants have until 11:59 pm (PT) on Thursday following the award notice to accept or decline a lottery award.
➡️ If the application is successful, you must accept the lottery award, then select an exit date, exit point, and first night’s camp location. An additional $5 per person fee applies. The fee is non-refundable.
➡️ If you do not respond to the lottery award before 11:59 pm on Thursday, the space will be released for reservation. It is not possible to reinstate a lottery award after it is declined or ignored.
➡️ It is not possible to change your awarded trailhead or start date. If your award is not what you want, you may decline it. Alternatively, you can accept it and try to change it at a later point, subject to availability. Learn more below.
➡️ Watch this step-by-step tutorial on how to accept a lottery award.

Leftovers from the Lottery

➡️ Successful applications have until Thursday at 11:59 pm (PT) to accept or decline a lottery award. Until then, dates within the most recent lottery window will display “L” on Recreation.gov.
➡️Reservation not taken by the lottery become available on Recreationg.gov under “Explore Available Permits” each Friday at 9 am (PT) until sold out.
➡️ When 60% of trailhead quotas are sold out, the dates and trailheads will display “NR” until the final release of trailhead quotas.
➡️ If unsuccessful in this process, monitor the website for availability. Plans change all the time! Canceled permits are made available online at random, typically within 24 hours of cancelation. You can also wait until week-ahead reservations are released.
➡️ Watch this step-by-step tutorial on how to reserve a permit after the lottery acceptance deadline expires.


Week-Ahead Reservations

Forty percent of trailhead quotas are released on Recreation.gov on a first-come, first-served basis.

At one point, these permits were released exclusively in person. This no longer the case. No portion of trailhead quotas are held for in-person walk-ups.

Reservations Information

Reservations Timeframe

➡️ Reservations are released seven days in advance of an entry date at 7 am (PT) on Recreation.gov under “Explore Available Permits.”
➡️ The latest you can make a reservation is three days in advance. Though, little space will remain at that point.
➡️ Popular trailhead fills quickly. Make sure you are logged in and ready to explore by 7 am.

Fees

➡️ There is a one-time fee of $10 per permit and $5 per person for all reservation acquired after the lottery. No part of this fee is refundable.
➡️ If your entry trailhead is Half Dome eligible, the fee is $10 per person hiking Half Dome, only to be paid when picking up a permit.

Key Information

➡️ Once 60% of trailhead quotas sell out, those dates and trailheads will show “NR” on Recreation.gov until seven days before an entry date at 7 am.
➡️ Any unreserved permits will be available in person at wilderness centers only on the start date of a trip. Few, if any, unused permits will be available on a given day. You must arrive at a wilderness center during business hours to get a permit.
➡️ Watch this step-by-step tutorial on how to reserve a permit one week in advance.

Winter Backpacking

Wilderness permits are required year-round, but reservations are not available during the off-season.

From mid-October to late April, wilderness permits are available via self-registration.

You must register at the station closest to your starting point. Permits are available at the Big Oak Flat Information Station, Yosemite Valley Welcome Center, Badger Pass Ranger Station, Wawona Visitor Center, and Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station.
Visit Yosemite National Park’s Wilderness in Winter page to learn more about winter backpacking, including visiting Snow Creek Cabin.

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