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. Most can be completed online while others are via US mail, or FAX, 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.

Southern Sierra Trail MapCentral Sierra Trail Map
Check out our Southern Sierra and Central Sierra Trail Maps to help you find and explore these amazing wilderness areas.

Below the table you will find information on Road Closures, Snow Depth, Transportation and Shuttles, Updates from Kennedy Meadows General Store, Bear Box locations, Campfire Permits, Showers, and a variety of other useful links, as well as, a comprehensive list of wilderness areas.

** You can sort by Permit Info or Land Manager, or use the Search function.
*** Updated as of 07/25/2024 – Almost all areas are now on recreation.gov ***

Permit InfoLand ManagerContact PhoneReservation system
Desolation (Eldorado)
Eldorado NF530-644-2324
Recreation.gov
Hoover (Humboldt)
Humboldt-Toiyabe NF760-932-7070
Recreation.gov
Golden Trout (Inyo)
Inyo NF760-873-2483
Recreation.gov
Hoover (Inyo)
Inyo NF760-873-2483
Recreation.gov
John Muir (Inyo)
Inyo NF760-873-2483
Recreation.gov
Ansel Adams (Inyo)
Inyo NF760-873-2483
Recreation.gov
Desolation (Tahoe)
Lake Tahoe Basin530-543-2674
Recreation.gov
Golden Trout (Sequoia)
Sequoia NF559-784-1500Mail or FAX. Will Mail Permit back to you
Jennie Lakes
Sequoia NF559-784-1500Self-Registration at Trailhead. Permit required if entering SEKI
Sequoia-Kings Canyon
Sequoia-Kings Canyon NP559-565-3341
Recreation.gov
John Muir (Sierra)
Sierra NF559-297-0706
Recreation.gov
Kaiser
Sierra NF559-297-0706
Recreation.gov
Monarch
Sierra NF559-297-0706Mail, pick up in person
Ansel Adams (Sierra)
Sierra NF559-297-0706
Recreation.gov
Dinkey Lakes
Sierra NF559-297-0706
Recreation.gov
Emmigrant
Stanislaus NF209-532-3673Issued during business hours at ranger stations, or self issue if closed. No quota.
Mokelumne
Stanislaus NF209-532-3674Issued during business hours at ranger stations, or self issue if closed. No quota.
Carson-Iceburg
Stanislaus NF209-532-3672Issued during business hours at ranger stations, or self issue if closed. No quota.
Yosemite
Yosemite NP209-372-0740
Recreation.gov

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:

The best resource for the Golden Trout Wilderness – Roads and Access

Tulare County Roads Info

Kern County Road Info

Inyo County Road Info

Inyo Natl Forest Road Info

Kennedy Meadows General Store — Good source of local info!

Sierra Snow Depth — A terrific resource for winter activities

Links for Sierra Nevada Wilderness Permits:

California Campfire Permit

Bear Boxes in the Sierra – A clickable map and a detailed list

Shuttles – A comprehensive list from Climber.org

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

Links for Trips and Resources:

Showers – Eastern Sierra from Carson Pass to Lone Pine — Climber.org

ESSRP – Eastern Sierra Camping Map

Bishop / Inyo County – List of Campgrounds

High Sierra Trails – Backpackers Guide

Sierra High Route Guide

National Forests and attached Wilderness Areas:

Sequoia National Forest

  1. Kiavah Wilderness
  2. Golden Trout Wilderness
  3. Jennie Lakes Wilderness

Sequoia National Park

  1. Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness
  2. John Krebs Wilderness

Kings Canyon National Park

  1. Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness

Inyo National Forest

  1. South Sierra Wilderness
  2. Golden Trout Wilderness
  3. John Muir Wilderness
  4. Ansel Adams Wilderness
  5. Hoover Wilderness

Sierra National Forest

  1. John Muir Wilderness
  2. Kaiser Wilderness
  3. Monarch Wilderness
  4. Ansel Adams Wilderness
  5. Dinkey Lakes Wilderness

Yosemite National Park

  1. Yosemite Wilderness

Stanislaus National Forest

  1. Emmigrant Wilderness
  2. Mokelumne Wilderness
  3. Carson-Iceberg Wilderness

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

  1. Hoover Wilderness

Eldorado National Forest

  1. Desolation Wilderness

Lake Tahoe Basin Mgmt Unit

  1. Desolation Wilderness
  2. Mt Rose Wilderness

Tahoe National Forest

  1. Granite Chief Wilderness

Lassen National Forest

  1. Ishi Wilderness
  2. Caribou Wilderness
  3. Thousand Lakes Wilderness

Plumas National Forest

  1. Bucks Lake Wilderness

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

  1. Bright Star Wilderness
  2. Kiavah Wilderness
  3. Owens Peak Wilderness
  4. Domeland Wilderness
  5. Chimney Peak Wilderness
  6. Sacatar Trail Wilderness