Sierra Nevada Wilderness Permit Info

An easy to use resource listing all the wilderness areas in the entire Sierra Nevada range that require permits for overnight camping. Each area has it’s own permit process and quotas, but a permit is required ONLY from the agency where you enter. Some can be completed online while others are strictly US mail and/or FAX and/or Walk-Up. Day-use permits are required for the Mt. Whitney Zone and the Desolation Wilderness near Lake Tahoe.

Campfire Permits are required for dispersed camping in all the National Forests and BLM, including wilderness areas that don’t require a permit.

Check out our Southern Sierra Trail Map to help you find and explore these areas.

Permits help the Forest Service to manage wilderness by tracking visitor use patterns. In some areas visitor quotas and trailhead quotas are in effect to protect the wildernesses from visitor impact and over use. Wilderness permits are issued to anyone who will follow certain rules intended to protect both the visitor and the wilderness resource.

** You can sort by Permit Info or Land Manager, or use the Search function to help find the area you are looking for.

Permit Info	Land Manager	Contact Phone	Reservation system
Desolation (Eldorado)	Eldorado NF	530-644-2324	Recreation.gov
Desolation (Tahoe)	Lake Tahoe Basin	530-543-2674	Recreation.gov
Hoover (Humboldt)	Humboldt-Toiyabe NF	760-932-7070	Mail, pick up in person
Golden Trout (Inyo)	Inyo NF	760-873-2483	Recreation.gov
Hoover (Inyo)	Inyo NF	760-873-2483	Recreation.gov
John Muir (Inyo)	Inyo NF	760-873-2483	Recreation.gov
Ansel Adams (Inyo)	Inyo NF	760-873-2483	Recreation.gov
Golden Trout (Sequoia)	Sequoia NF	559-784-1500	Mail or FAX. Will Mail Permit back to you
Jennie Lakes	Sequoia NF	559-784-1500	Self-Registration at Trailhead. Permit required if entering SEKI
Sequoia-Kings Canyon	Sequoia-Kings Canyon NP	559-565-3341	Email. Self issue outside of quota period
John Muir (Sierra)	Sierra NF	559-297-0706	Mail, pick up in person
Kaiser	Sierra NF	559-297-0706	Mail, pick up in person
Monarch	Sierra NF	559-297-0706	Mail, pick up in person
Ansel Adams (Sierra)	Sierra NF	559-297-0706	Mail, pick up in person
Dinkey Lakes	Sierra NF	559-297-0706	Mail, pick up in person
Emmigrant	Stanislaus NF	209-532-3673	Call 48 hours in advance
Mokelumne	Stanislaus NF	209-532-3674	Call 48 hours in advance
Carson-Iceburg	Stanislaus NF	209-532-3672	Call 48 hours in advance
Yosemite	Yosemite NP	209-372-0740	Mail or FAX

The following Areas do NOT require a Wilderness Permit:

Ishi Wilderness, Caribou Wilderness, Thousand Lakes Wilderness, Bucks Lake Wilderness, Mt. Rose Wilderness, Granite Chief Wilderness, Bright Star Wilderness, Kiavah Wilderness, Owens Peak Wilderness, Domeland Wilderness, Chimney Peak Wilderness, Sacatar Trail Wilderness

Road Info for the Southern Sierra:

https://goldentroutwilderness.wordpress.com/preparation/access/

Tulare County Roads Info

Kern County Road Info

Inyo County Road Info

Good Links for Sierra Nevada Wilderness Permits:

CALIF Campfire Permit: http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/

https://www.sierrawild.gov/wilderness/

https://www.backcountrycow.com/blog/2019-california-backpacking-permit-dates

http://discoverechosummit.com/activities/desolation_wilderness_permits.html

http://www.mammothlakes.us/activities/wilderness-permits.shtml

https://www.bishopvisitor.com/trip-planning/wilderness-permits/

Permit directory: Wilderness & backcountry camping in the Sierra Nevada

National Forests and attached Wilderness Areas: