Missed the Permit Lottery? There's Still Time to Book Your Dream Summer Backpacking Trip in California… Here’s How
- Luna DeLamer
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
You researched the perfect trip. You wanted Half Dome. Or Mount Whitney. Or maybe that iconic stretch of the John Muir Trail you’ve been Google Earthing since December. Your gear is dialed. Your maps are bookmarked. You even picked out the exact spot you’d cry from joy on Day 3 of your dream trail.
Then… permit day came and went. And you? Nada. Waitlisted. Rejected. Uninvited from your own adventure.
It happens to the best of us.
Here’s the truth: you can still get out there. California’s wilderness is massive, and missing one permit doesn’t mean missing the entire summer backpacking trip season. There are plenty of epic trails still up for grabs, even the BIG ones, and smart ways to get your foot in the door, even at the last minute.
Here’s exactly how to do it.
When Should You Start Planning a Summer Backpacking Trip in California?
Look, early planning is great. Amazing, even. If you’re the type who builds a spreadsheet in January and color-codes trail segments, you’re already ahead of the game.
But if that’s not you? You’re not doomed. Not everyone has to be an organizational demi-god to crack the system.
If you’re looking to plan a backpacking trip in California, here’s how the permit calendar usually breaks down for the big-name spots:
Trail / Region | Permit Release Time |
John Muir Trail (via Yosemite) | Late January – Lottery on Recreation.gov |
Half Dome (Cables) | March – Preseason Lottery + Daily Lottery (two days before) |
Mount Whitney (via Whitney Portal) | February – Lottery (Quota Season: May 1 – Nov 1) |
Desolation Wilderness | April – Opens by zone, rolling at 7 AM PT |
Yosemite Wilderness Permits | Rolling, released 24 weeks in advance |
Inyo National Forest (Eastern Sierra) | Rolling 6 months out, released daily at 7 AM PT |
In a perfect world, you’re planning 4 - 6 months ahead. But even if you’re showing up to the party in July, the doors are still wide open. You just need to know where to look.
So, Is it Too Late to Book a Backpacking Trip This Summer?
Short answer? Nope. Not even close.
Because while the “main event” backpacking permits for summer 2025 might be gone, there’s still a whole festival happening in the background, and part of the crowd forgot to show up.
Summer Backpacking Trip Cancellations Happen
People overbook. Plans change. Knees start making weird clicking noises. That dream permit someone scored in February? It might be back on the board right now. Check daily, especially in the two weeks before your target date.
Late-Season = Less Competition
September and October are a chef’s kiss for backpacking. Cooler temps, fewer bugs, and permit traffic drops way off. Many quota systems are still active, but way easier to access.
Underrated Gems Are Still Available
Not every jaw-dropping trail lives inside a National Park. California’s National Forests and Wilderness Areas are absolutely stacked with epic routes, and many require either easy permits or none at all. Perfect if you’re after last minute backpacking trips with fewer crowds.
Top Last-Minute Backpacking Routes in California (and How to Get the Permits)
Let’s talk trails you can still hike this summer - no begging, bribing, or manifesting needed.
Duck Lake & Pika Lake Loop (Inyo National Forest)
Permit: Wilderness permit required, available on Recreation.gov, often still open with mid-week or late-season dates.
Why Go: High alpine lakes, dramatic ridgelines, wildflower-filled basins.
Top Tip: Search “Duck Pass Trailhead” and toggle that map view; there’s often flexibility if you adjust your start date. A fantastic pick for last minute backpacking trips.
Caribou Lakes Basin (Trinity Alps Wilderness)
Permit: Free and self-issued at the trailhead.
Why Go: Granite walls, turquoise lakes, way fewer crowds than the Sierra.
Camping: Dispersed and legal throughout the basin, just follow Leave No Trace. No quota, no hassle, great for spontaneous summer backpacking trips.
Lost Coast Trail (King Range NCA, BLM)
Permit: Required year-round through Recreation.gov, but cancellations drop back in weekly.
How to Score: Late August and September dates are your best shot.
Note: This is a tidal trail; check tide charts and plan exits accordingly. Perfect if you’re trying to plan a backpacking trip off the beaten path.
Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail (Santa Cruz Mountains)
Permit: Required for designated backcountry sites via Santa Cruz County Parks
Why Go: Towering redwoods to coastal cliffs, all in one hike.
Camping: Reserve Waterman Gap, Jay Camp, or Sunset Trail Camp. Walk-in sites occasionally open day of.
PCT Section Hikes (Northern California)
Permit: If you’re doing <500 miles, you don’t need the full PCT permit; just snag permits from the local forest offices.
Epic Route: Castle Crags to Etna Summit via Trinity Divide. Rugged, remote, absolutely stunning.
Top Tip: Most of this is on National Forest land, which means... legal dispersed camping, no quotas.
Where You Can Camp Legally on Popular Trails
Alright, so where can you actually set up your tent?
Designated Sites
Found in National Parks and some popular wilderness zones.
✅ Must be booked in advance (or assigned with your permit).
✅ Often near lakes, rivers, or protected areas.
🚫 No first-come-first-served — you’ll need that confirmation number.
Dispersed Camping
Legal on most National Forest and BLM land.
✅ No reservation needed.
✅ Free.
✅ Solitude-friendly.
Rules to follow:
Camp at least 100 - 200 feet from lakes, rivers, and trails.
Avoid camping in meadows or fragile vegetation.
Follow current fire restrictions (check USFS fire map for your region).
Pack it in, pack it out - no exceptions.
Permit Hacks: How to Secure Trails Without the Stress
Permits are a tool, not a gatekeeper. Missing one doesn’t mean your whole season’s toast.
California’s backcountry is huge, diverse, and still wildly accessible if you know how to play the game. Whether you’re sipping a sunrise brew at Duck Lake, scrambling to a Trinity Alps overlook, or pulling off an ambitious PCT section, your trail is still out there.
We built a free Permit Strategy Guide to help you pull it off without the spreadsheet headaches. It’s got everything you need to:
– Find lesser-known trailheads
– Nail the best timing for permit drops
– Navigate daily lotteries + cancellation goldmines
– Camp legally without second-guessing your setup
Join us as a Trailblazer, answer a few quick questions, and we’ll send it your way. Because planning your trip shouldn’t be harder than hiking it.
