Hiking Permits
Hiking the John Muir Trial (JMT) requires a special wilderness permit. These permits are limited to help better manage the sensitive ecosystem and increase your hiking experience. A different permit is required depending on which trailhead you use to access the JMT. There are different agencies, Yosemite National Park, Inyo National Forest, Sierra National Forest, Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park that manage access to the JMT through issuing these wilderness permits. The agency you use is dependent on where you access the JMT.
Permit Offices
Yosemite National Park Wilderness Permit Office
Phone: 209-372-0740 Reservation Only
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office
Phone: 209-873-2483 Reservation Only
209-873-2485 Information Only
Sierra National Forest
Phone: 559-855-5355 ext. 0
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Phone 559-565-3766 Information Only
| Entry Location | Agency | Reservation Requirement |
| Happy Isles (Northern Terminus) |
Yosemite National Park Wilderness Permit Office |
up to 168 days in advance |
| Tuolumne Meadows, Cathedral Lakes Trailhead (Mile 21) |
Yosemite National Park Wilderness Permit Office |
up to 168 days in advance |
| Tuolumne Meadows, Lyell Canyon Trailhead (Mile 24) |
Yosemite National Park Wilderness Permit Office |
up to 168 days in advance |
| Ansel Adams Wildernes, Rush Creek Trailhead (Mile 40) |
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office | up to 6 months in advance |
| Ansel Adams Wilderness, Shadow Lake Trailhead (Mile 49) |
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office | up to 6 months in advance |
| Ansel Adams Wilderness, Devils Postpile, JMT/PCT Trailhead (Mile 56) |
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office | up to 6 months in advance |
| Reds Meadow Resort, JMT/PCT Trailhead (Mile 59) |
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office | up to 6 months in advance |
| Ansel Adams Wilderness, Upper Crater Meadow, Red Cones Trailhead (Mile 63) |
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office | up to 6 months in advance |
| John Muir Wilderness, Duck Lake Trailhead (Mile 70) |
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office | up to 6 months in advance |
| John Muir Wilderness, McGee Creek Trailhead (Mile 77) |
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office | up to 6 months in advance |
| John Muir Wilderness, Mono Pass Trailhead (Mile 86) |
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office | up to 6 months in advance |
| Mono Creek Trailhead (Mile 88) |
Sierra National Forest | up to a year in advance |
| Bear Ridge Trailhead (Mile 92) |
Sierra National Forest | up to a year in advance |
| Bear Diversion Trailhead (Mile 94) |
Sierra National Forest | up to a year in advance |
| Florence Lake Trail (Mile 107) |
Sierra National Forest | up to a year in advance |
|
John Muir Wilderness, |
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office | up to 6 months in advance |
|
John Muir Wilderness, |
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office | up to 6 months in advance |
| John Muir Wilderness, Taboose Pass Trail (Mile 156) |
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office | up to 6 months in advance |
| John Muir Wilderness, Sawmill Pass Trailhead (Mile 163) |
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office | up to 6 months in advance |
| Woods Creek Trail (Mile 167) |
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks | Begins in March |
| John Muir Wilderness, Baxter Pass (Mile 170) |
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office | up to 6 months in advance |
| John Muir Wilderness, Kearsarge Pass Trailhead (Mile 177) |
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office | up to 6 months in advance |
| Bubbs Creek Trailhead (Mile 179) |
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks | Begins in March |
| John Muir Wilderness, Shepherd Pass Trailhead (Mile 192) |
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office | up to 6 months in advance |
| John Muir Wilderness, Cottonwood Pass Trailhead (Mile 200) |
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office | up to 6 months in advance |
| Whitney Portal (Southern Terminus) |
Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office | By lottery, February 1 |
**mileage shown measured from Happy Isles
