How to Get Backpacking Permits for the John Muir Wilderness

John Muir Wilderness Permits Are in High Demand

Backpacking through the John Muir Wilderness isn’t just a trip — it’s a pilgrimage for outdoor lovers. Jagged granite peaks, alpine lakes that mirror the sky, meadows so quiet it feels like nature’s whispering. If you’ve dreamed of hiking part (or all!) of the John Muir Trail, you’re not alone.

Yep, you’ve got competition. There are thousands of other backpackers applying for those golden John Muir Wilderness backpacking permits.

That’s why understanding when, how, and where to apply for permits is just as important as choosing what trail you take.

Let’s dive in.

The John Muir Trail can offer you a new perspective of old beauties.

When Is the Best Time to Hike the John Muir Trail?

The sweet spot to hike the John Muir Trail (JMT) is between late July and early September. That’s when most of the snow has melted, the river crossings are manageable, and the risk of early-season thunderstorms is low. On top of that, the wildflowers are blooming in the high country, and you won’t need snowshoes or micro spikes just to make it to lunch.

If you’re going earlier — say, June or early July — expect lingering snowfields at elevation. Going later (September into October)? You’ll have cooler temps, fewer bugs, and fewer people, but the nights can dip well below freezing, and there’s a high risk of storms.

How Long Is the John Muir Wilderness Trail?

Just so we’re clear: John Muir Trail spans 211 miles from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney. 100 miles of the trail passes through the John Muir Wilderness. The John Muir Wilderness is a federally designated area within Inyo and Sierra National Forests. With different access points, it can be tricky to know which permit you need. 

So, if you’re hiking the full JMT, you’ll be hiking through the John Muir Wilderness for a good chunk of it — especially the section from Reds Meadow to Mount Whitney.

When Should I Start Planning My John Muir Wilderness Trip?

Vernal Falls from high on the John Muir Trail

Start planning about 5-8 months in advance — seriously.

Why so early? Because the JMT permit system is a layered cake of agencies, quotas, and route restrictions. And the most popular entry points (like Happy Isles in Yosemite or Cottonwood/Horseshoe Meadows near Lone Pine) get booked fast.

If you want to hike the full JMT southbound from Yosemite, your permit application opens 168 days before your desired start date. That means if you want to hit the trail in August, you're applying in April.

Even if you're just hiking a shorter stretch through the John Muir Wilderness, those quotas fill up fast. 

Pro Tip: If you miss out on getting a permit from one access point, try a different access point. For more expert tips, steal our Ultimate Permit Hacks Guide and unlock our golden tips to secure your trips! 

For example, you apply for a permit from the Yosemite access trail, and you don’t get it. So try for a permit from Inyo or Sierra National Forest instead. 

How Long Does It Take to Get Backpacking Permits for the John Muir Wilderness?

As an example, if you’re applying through Recreation.gov for a permit issued by Inyo National Forest, here’s the usual timeline:

• You apply 6 months (182 days) before your trip start date.

• Permits are available daily at 7 AM PT. Set your alarms.

• You’ll know instantly if you got the permit or not.

There’s no lottery for Inyo wilderness permits like there is for Yosemite — it’s first-come, first-served.

Pro tip: Create your Recreation.gov account early, save your trip preferences, and be ready to click “book” the moment it opens. 

Can You Hike the John Muir Trail Without a Permit?

In short? No.

Every inch of the John Muir Trail that passes through wilderness areas requires an overnight wilderness permit, including the John Muir Wilderness section. 

The only time you don’t need a permit is for day hikes. But anything involving an overnight stay (which — let’s be real — is most of the trail) definitely does.

And here’s the catch…

Which Permit Do I Actually Need for the John Muir Wilderness?

You will never know stillness until you sit by an alpine lake on a still clear night.

If you’re doing the full JMT, your entry point determines your permit. You only need one wilderness permit for the entire, contiguous trip, issued by the agency that manages your entry trailhead.

That means:

• Start in Yosemite? Get a Yosemite wilderness permit.

  
  

• Start in Inyo (like Bishop Pass, Kearsarge Pass, Cottonwood Lakes)? Get an Inyo National Forest wilderness permit.

  
  

• Start in the Sierra National Forest? Yep, get a Sierra National Forest wilderness permit.

Your permit covers your entire trip, including through the John Muir Wilderness and all the national parks (like Kings Canyon and Sequoia) along the way. If you plan on ending at Mt. Whitney, it also allows you to hike to the summit. 

Any other permits, depend on where you enter, where you exit, and how far you're going.

• Your trip can begin from Yosemite, Inyo, or Sierra National Forest.

  
  

• You’ll need a Wilderness Permit from your park of entry via Recreation.gov.

  
  

• Your exit point also matters. You reserve your exit point at the same time as your entry point. 

  
  

  • If you plan to exit Yosemite over Donahue Pass into Yosemite, your permit must include the “Donahue Pass exit quota”, which is extremely competitive. 

    
    

  • If you begin your trip in Inyo and finish it at Mt. Whitney, then the Trail Crest Exit quota applies. Make sure you select “Overnight Exiting Mt, Whitney” when choosing your exit point. 

There are dozens of trailheads to choose from — some more competitive than others. Less popular trailheads (like Mono Pass or Rush Creek) might give you better odds at obtaining the permit you need.

What If I Don’t Get the Permit?

Welcome to the emotional gauntlet. You did everything right. You applied early. You went for the less popular trailhead. But you still didn’t get the permit. Do you just give up until next year?

Of course not. Persistence pays off! So, when you don’t initially get the permit, here are four things you can do to get lucky.

1. Check for cancellations. People drop permits all the time. Maybe they’re life plans changed, and they can’t go. Maybe they forgot to accept the permit. Either way, their loss is your gain. Refresh Recreation.gov like it’s Ticketmaster, and you want those tickets!

   
   

2. Try alternative routes. You might not get Happy Isles, but you might get Lyell Canyon or Mono Pass — and you’ll still be in the same JMT corridor.

   
   

3. Apply for a section hike. You don’t need to do all 211 miles. A 3- to 5-day section through the John Muir Wilderness is breathtaking and easier to get permitted.

   
   

4. Show up for walk-up permits. Inyo has some walk-up availability (especially outside peak season), but it’s risky. Be flexible with dates and trailheads.

Conclusion

The John Muir Trail is legendary, so it's understandable that a lot of people want to experience it. Use these tips to secure the permits and be one of the hikers that gets to to take in this inspiring wilderness.

May your permits be granted, your blister tape hold strong, and your freeze-dried meals taste amazing.

The mountains are calling. Let's go.