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.

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

Kennedy Meadows General Store — Good source of local info!

Good Links for Sierra Nevada Wilderness Permits:

California Campfire Permit

Total Escape – California Wilderness Area List

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

Bishop Visitors Center – Wilderness Permits

Andrew Skurka – Wilderness Permits

National Forests and attached Wilderness Areas: