Sierra National Forest Wilderness Permit
Located in California's beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains, Sierra National Forest offers challenging trails, high mountain peaks and unparalleled views. Several of our trails give entry to the John Muir Trail or Pacific Crest Trail with the opportunity to trek in the longest roadless section of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Our trails offer possibilities for hiking, photography, peak bagging, fishing, or simply enjoying the pristine beauty of the High Sierra. Whether you are seeking solitude, exceptional scenery, or sharing a wilderness adventure, there are many ways to create a memorable experience.
Come, take a deep breath of clean mountain air. Put on your pack and hit the trail. Come to experience nature and let it refresh your spirit. Places to explore include the Ansel Adams, John Muir, Dinkey Lakes, and Kaiser wildernesses. Trips beginning on Sierra National Forest may continue into the wilderness areas of Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks or Inyo National Forest.
As you plan your trip, remember that we must take care of this amazing place. While you are here, be respectful of water, woods and wildlife. Travel lightly on the land. Remember to leave this place undamaged so it will continue to be what we seek of wilderness.
Permit & Season Information
A permit is required year-round for overnight trips into John Muir, Ansel Adams, Dinkey Lakes and Kaiser Wildernesses, and Inyo National Forest, as well Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks. Only the leader or alternate specified in the reservation may pick up or use the permit.
Each year quota season permits become available for advanced reservations six months in advance of your trip start day.
Permits are released during the first week of January and then 6 months in advance of the start date.
Permit holder accepts responsibility for their group:
- Signed permit in group leader’s possession.
- Group must start on entry date and location on permit.
- You cannot exceed the group size stated on permit and group size cannot exceed 15 people.
- Permit is valid for continuous wilderness travel. Exiting and reentering at a different location voids permit.
- Permit expires after exit date.
Trips sponsored by organizations or commercial groups must contact the wilderness permit office.
Need to Know
Permit Pickup Instructions
No Show deadline is 10 a.m. on the entry date. Pick up your permit or arrange for late arrival before the deadline or your reservation will be canceled.
To hold your permit until 5 p.m. on the entry date:
- You must call the Sierra National Forest up to three days before the trip at either the Prather office: 559-855-5355 or North Fork Office: 559-877-2210 to verify your final group size, and have the permit printed at the office where you will be picking up the permit.
Reserved permits can be picked up one or two days before the entry date, or on the entry date.
The signed permit must be in the group leader’s possession during the trip and must be presented to rangers upon request. The group leader signing the permit is accepting responsibility to ensure everyone in their group will follow the rules and regulations on the permit. Wild erness regulations are enforceable with maximum penalties of $5,000 and/or 6 months in jail.
Be Bear Aware!
- Do not leave food or refuse in your car or tent. Do not leave food unattended.
- In campgrounds and parking areas with bear proof lockers, all food and scented items must be removed from vehicles and secured in the lockers. Dispose of trash in bear resistant trash cans.
- Bear resistant food storage containers are recommended for all wilderness travelers. Review wilderness rules for specific areas where containers are required.
Human Waste Disposal
Solid human waste should be buried six to eight inches deep and at least 100 feet or more from water sources, trails, or campsites.
Behave Responsibly
Respect other visitor’s desire for quiet and solitude. Please help protect this natural resource and leave it unmarked for future visitors. Familiarize yourself with the seven principles of Leave No Trace and review wilderness rules:
- Pack out all your trash.
- Protect water quality, don’t use soap in natural waterways, even biodegradable soap can damage aquatic life. Waste water should be scattered at least 100 feet away from any water source.
- Don’t cut switchbacks; shortcutting damages the trail and adds to erosion.
- No drones; they are prohibited in wilderness.
- No loud audio devices; let the sounds of nature be part of the wilderness experience.
- Campfires are restricted in many areas; wood growth is very slow at high elevation and what little wood exists helps sustain the natural soil, plant and animal community.
- Do not camp on vegetation, these fragile areas are easily damaged. Choose a campsite at least 100 feet away from lakes, streams, or trails.
Risk & Responsibility
- Come prepared to find your way. Most of the forest has no cell service.
- Check weather and trail conditions.
- Download maps, and emergency information before starting on the trail.
- Plan to be self-sufficient, bring adequate supplies of food, water and clothing.
- Learn symptoms of altitude sickness.
Wilderness Backcountry
Activities like backpacking, hiking, skiing, and mountaineering and horse camping are allowed. Motorized or mechanical activities like mountain biking or drones are not allowed in wilderness. There are maintained trails through the area to hike on, but no developed campground facilities. Once you start on the trail, there are no water faucets and no restrooms.
Crossing Park & Forest Boundaries
One permit is valid for continuous wilderness travel, including traveling through adjacent parks and forests. Provide the exit location, exit date and itinerary information to indicate your full travel plan.
You must follow the local rules while you are in each park or forest. Check regulations for each area you will visit regarding pets, food storage, camping and campfire restrictions, stay limits, smaller group size limits for off trail routes. No pets in National Parks.
Trips ending at Mt Whitney (Whitney Portal- Inyo National Forest) must be identified in your Sierra NF permit.
Fee Policy
Reservation Fee:
A $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each permit reservation.
Recreation Fee:
A per person recreation fee is charged for your group when reserving a wilderness permit for entry on Sierra National Forest trails.
The recreation fees are used to finance the on-the-ground wilderness programs in Sierra National Forest.
- A $5.00 per person recreation fee is charged for all areas aside from those permits exiting at Mt. Whitney.
- Permits exiting Mt Whitney must select that option in the drop down and the fee is $15 per person.
There are no discounts for annual passes, military, seniors, or children. All people count for wilderness quotas and fees.
Fees cannot be transferred to other dates or trails. No rain checks or credits.
Cancellation Policy
Reservations cannot be sold or transferred to other people. Only the group leader or listed alternate can pick up or use the permit. Leader or alternate leader names cannot be changed or added.
Changes you can make online:
- Changes to group size can be made if quota space is available.
- Change of entry trail, entry date, or permit type requires a new reservation for the desired trip. You will pay new reservation and recreation fees.
- Cancel your reservation online, the per person recreation fee will be refunded automatically if you complete the cancelation at least 12 days before entry date.
- Corrections to itinerary, exit date or exit location can be done online or when the permit is issued.
Refunds:
No refund of the $6 reservation fee. A refund of the per person fee will be granted 12 days in advance of a trip. Log onto your account at Recreation.gov to make changes or call Sierra National Forest for reservation assistance, (559) 855-5355.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
1600 Tollhouse Road Clovis CA 93612
Office hours: Monday-Friday 0800-4:30
Phone Number
(559) 855-5355
