How to Get Inyo Wilderness Permits (Without Losing Your Mind)

Elon Jones
2 days ago
6 min read

If you’ve got your eyes set on Inyo National Forest, you’re in for a real treat. We’re talking high alpine lakes, sweeping Sierra views, hidden hot springs, and some of the most iconic trailheads in California — including several that connect to the legendary John Muir and Pacific Crest Trails.

But before you pack your bags and mix your trail mix, there’s one thing you need to tackle: Getting your Inyo Wilderness Permit.

A alpine lake with spruce trees and tall granite peaks give way to a blue sky. To see these beautiful sights you'll need an inyo wilderness permit

When Do You Need an Inyo Wilderness Permit?

Wilderness permits are required for all overnight backpacking trips in the Inyo National Forest wilderness areas. So if you’re backpacking and spending even one night, yes, you need a permit.

If you’re planning on hiking the John Muir Trail and you’re starting from a trailhead in Inyo National Forest, then you need an Inyo wilderness permit.

When Is the Best Time to Go to Inyo National Forest?

Inyo National Forest is open year-round, but if you’re planning to explore the backcountry on foot, late June through early October is your sweet spot. That means you need to apply for your wilderness permit between January and May.

Here’s what you can expect during each season, so you can decide for what date you need to make your permit:

Late June–July: Expect snowmelt, rushing rivers, and wildflowers. Some high passes may still have snow. (Apply for permits January-February.)
August–Mid-September: Peak season. Trails are clear, bugs are down, and the alpine lakes are perfect for a cold dip. (Apply for permits March-April.)
Late September–October: Crisp air, golden aspens, and fewer crowds. Nights get cold fast — pack for freezing temps. (Apply for permits April-May.)

If you want to try for your dream route (especially trailheads like Bishop Pass, Kearsarge Pass, or Cottonwood Lakes), aim for mid-July through early September. That’s when conditions are best.

Pro Tip: If you want to increase your chance of getting a permit, try for the shoulder season. That’s at the end of October and beginning of November. You get the same access at times that aren’t as competitive.

Your Inyo backpacking permit helps you access the high sierras in fall as you see here. the beautiful changing colors of the shrub brush from bright green to yellow against evergreens and granite peaks

When Should I Start Planning My Trip?

Start planning 5–6 months ahead. Seriously.

Wilderness permits for Inyo National Forest are first come first served, but only 60% of the permits are released when applications first open 6 months (182 days) in advance. Popular trailheads get snapped up within minutes, especially for weekends and during peak season.

So, if you’re aiming for a mid-August weekend trip, you’ll want to:

Create your Recreation.gov account early.
Set a calendar reminder to book permits starting in mid-February.
Know exactly which trailhead and dates you want.
Be online and ready to click “Reserve” at 7:00 AM Pacific Time sharp.

Trust us — if you snooze, you lose.

But Inyo does offer two ways to still explore even if you miss out on a permit. First, you can choose a less common trailhead to start from. You get access to the same backcountry just from a different entry point.

But if you've got your heart set on that one entry point, then you, also, get a second chance at it. Two weeks prior to your start date, the remaining 40% of the permits are released. it's the same first come first served process, so be ready.

How Do You Apply for an Inyo Wilderness Permit?

It’s pretty simple once you know what to expect.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for an Inyo Wilderness Permit

Go to Recreation.gov. You’ll have to create an account. Then, visit the Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permits page.
Search by Entry Date and Trailhead. You’ll need to select your start date and entry trailhead from the 60+ options on Recreation.gov (like Pine Creek, Duck Pass, or Cottonwood Lakes). That’s how the quota system works.
Pick Your Group Size. Quotas are based on the number of people, so you need to know how many are going. Obviously the fewer the people the easier it is to get a permit. And there’s a 15-person maximum per group.
Click Reserve! Once permits open for your date, the system is first-come, first-served. No lottery, no waitlist. Just fast fingers. Click reserve, and it’ll take you to your payment page.
Pay the Fee and Confirm. You’ll pay online (see cost below), then get an email confirmation.
Pick Up or Print Your Permit. Depending on your entry point and group size, you may need to pick up your permit in person or print it at home. Most of the time, you print it at home.

Pro Tip: If your ideal trailhead is full, look at less popular options like Rush Creek, Taboose Pass, or Mono Pass. There are over 60 trailheads to choose from, and they can still get you into the high country — with way less competition.

How Much Is an Inyo Wilderness Permit?

view of a water fall flowing into a dark pool surrounding by evergreens and granite walls under a starry night sky. inyo wilderness permits get you access to these priceless views. — *Views like this are just...priceless*

Here, the views are priceless, and the wilderness permits for Inyo National Forest are inexpensive.

Reservation Fee: $6 per permit (non-refundable)
Per Person Fee: $5 per person (unless you’re entering the Mount Whitney Zone, then it’s $15 per person.)

So for a group of 4 people, the total cost would be $6 + (4 × $5) = $26

Not bad for access to some of the most beautiful wilderness in the Sierra Nevada.

What’s a Wilderness Permit, Anyway?

A wilderness permit is your official permission slip to camp overnight in federally protected wilderness areas. It helps rangers:

Know how many people are in the backcountry
Track usage trends for conservation
Locate you if you’re overdue or reported as missing
Find and alert you in case of an emergency
Control trail and campsite crowding
Protect fragile alpine environments

And yes, a wilderness permit is the same as a backpacking permit.

If you’re doing a day hike, you typically don’t need a wilderness permit (with a few exceptions like Mount Whitney and Half Dome). But if you’re staying overnight — even one night — you must have a permit for all Inyo National Forest wilderness areas. This includes:

John Muir Wilderness
Ansel Adams Wilderness
Golden Trout Wilderness
Owens River Headwaters
White Mountains Wilderness

You might see it as just a piece of paper. But Rangers do check. And if you don’t have a permit, you can be fined as much as $5,000 or 6 months in jail.

So yeah, don’t forget it in your car.

Two glacial lakes lay still at the base of mount whitney's granite peaks. This is where your inyo wilderness permit can take you.

What Other Permits Might I Need?

Depending on your route and destination, you might need a few extras:

Mount Whitney Zone Permit

If you’re hiking to or over Mt. Whitney, even from the west side, you may need a Trail Crest Exit Permit or Whitney Zone Permit. This includes routes like Cottonwood Lakes to Whitney or JMT hikers exiting via Whitney Portal.

Campfire Permit

Even if you’re not planning a fire, you’re legally required to carry a California Campfire Permit for using a stove or lantern. It’s free and available online.

Whitney Portal Overnight Parking

If you’re leaving your car at certain trailheads (like Whitney Portal), double-check whether you need a separate overnight parking permit or to pay a parking fee.

National Park Entry (JMT or PCT hikers)

If you begin in Inyo with an Inyo wilderness permit and you’re hiking the JMT or PCT, then you only need a permit from your entry point – in this case Inyo. If you start your trip in Yosemite or Kings Canyon and Sequoia, then your wilderness permit from your entry point covers park access to Inyo.

For more information on the backpacking permits for the John Muir wilderness check out this check out this guide.

Final Thoughts: Pack Your Patience and Hit “Reserve”

The sun setting behind the sierras with tall spruce in the foreground. These are the places that a inyo backpacking permit can get you.

When compared to Yosemite or Kings Canyon and Sequoia, Inyo Wilderness permits are some of the easier ones to obtain. There’s a straightforward process. There’s no anxious anticipation from a lottery. You actually know almost immediately if you can reserve the permit or not.

But it still takes a bit of planning if you want to leave from one of the more popular trailheads. With some prep and flexibility, you’ll be soaking in high-altitude sunsets, crossing alpine passes, and sleeping under a sky full of stars — legally.

If you’re set on starting at that one trailhead and you missed out on both the 6-month disbursement and the 2-week disbursement, then here’s your final...

Pro tip: Don’t forget to check for cancellations. Sometimes people reserve permits but never claim them. After the allotted time, they open up again. And that’s when you can score!

And if you want more pro tips like the ones we shared here, then you should read the Pathloom Permit Strategy Guide. It's full of information on how to get permits in California.

You can fill out a quick questionnaire that helps us develop our app here, and we'll send you the Permit Strategy Guide as a thank you.

May your mornings be early, your knees be strong, and your stove never run out of fuel. See you on the trail.