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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eldorado NF | 530-644-2324 | ||
| Lake Tahoe Basin | 530-543-2674 | ||
| Humboldt-Toiyabe NF | 760-932-7070 | Mail, pick up in person | |
| Inyo NF | 760-873-2483 | ||
| Inyo NF | 760-873-2483 | ||
| Inyo NF | 760-873-2483 | ||
| Inyo NF | 760-873-2483 | ||
| Sequoia NF | 559-784-1500 | Mail or FAX. Will Mail Permit back to you | |
| Sequoia NF | 559-784-1500 | Self-Registration at Trailhead. Permit required if entering SEKI | |
| Sequoia-Kings Canyon NP | 559-565-3341 | Email. Self issue outside of quota period | |
| Sierra NF | 559-297-0706 | Mail, pick up in person | |
| Sierra NF | 559-297-0706 | Mail, pick up in person | |
| Sierra NF | 559-297-0706 | Mail, pick up in person | |
| Sierra NF | 559-297-0706 | Mail, pick up in person | |
| Sierra NF | 559-297-0706 | Mail, pick up in person | |
| Stanislaus NF | 209-532-3673 | Call 48 hours in advance | |
| Stanislaus NF | 209-532-3674 | Call 48 hours in advance | |
| Stanislaus NF | 209-532-3672 | Call 48 hours in advance | |
| 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/
Good Links for Sierra Nevada Wilderness Permits:
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:
- Kiavah Wilderness
- Golden Trout Wilderness
- Jennie Lakes Wilderness
- Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness
- John Krebs Wilderness
- Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness
- South Sierra Wilderness
- Golden Trout Wilderness
- John Muir Wilderness
- Ansel Adams Wilderness
- Hoover Wilderness
- Yosemite Wilderness
- Emmigrant Wilderness
- Mokelumne Wilderness
- Carson-Iceberg Wilderness
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
- Hoover Wilderness
- Desolation Wilderness
- Mt Rose Wilderness
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