What is a Yosemite Wilderness Permit?
For safety reasons, if you are planning on camping (dispersed—i.e. not in an established campground) or backpacking in Yosemite, you will need to get a wilderness permit. If you have gone through the process of getting a wilderness permit before, still read this because the process has changed a little bit!
Unlike the entrance reservation permit (which is only required from May 20 - September 30), wilderness permits are required year round.
A picture of a scenic wilderness camp from NPS!
Getting a Permit
Here is the down-low on wilderness permits (April 29 - October 23):
There are a lot less wilderness permits available but there are also a lot less people trying to get them. I would still make sure that you apply for the wilderness permit at the earliest time you can
60% of permits become available by lottery 24 weeks in advance
The remaining permits will become available 7 days in advance (same date as the entrance permits come online). They come online at 7AM PST (one hour earlier than entrance reservation permits). This is a change from the previous process where the remaining 40% could be p icked up on a first-come-first-serve basis day of.
Permits can be reserved online up to 3-days ahead of the permit date
Any remaining permits (often there are very few if any) are offered on a first come first served basis day-of
Wilderness permits must be picked up in-person at a wilderness center one day in advance (8AM - 5PM)
You are able to enter the park one day ahead of the start of the wilderness permit without getting a separate reservation
This also allows you to stay at a backpackers campground
If you are planning to go in the winter, be prepared for snow and freezing conditions! Still interested?
You can get a permit the day before or the day of your intended start date at any permit issuing station
Despite the tighter time frame of getting a permit, I would not stress out about the permit quotas filling up as there is much less foot traffic in the winter months
Jess Wandering waking up with a beautiful view of half dome!
Random Things to Keep in Mind
The first night of your wilderness permit, you may have restrictions on where you can camp depending on which trailhead you start at. All following nights, you can camp anywhere you can get to!
If you are planning a trip near the five High Sierra Camps or in Little Yosemite Valley, there are designated campgrounds where you will need to stay
Yosemite is home to hundreds of black bears (about ~500!). For both your safety and the bear’s, all food (and scented items—like toothpaste) most be stored in a bear cannister. These can be rented from any staffed wilderness permit station and will cost $5 / week (Only the Valley Visitor Center will have bear canisters for rent in the winter)
