How to Get Yosemite Half Dome and Wilderness Permits

A Half Dome permit is required to climb the subdome and cables while the cables are up, roughly late May to mid-October. Rangers check permits at the subdome.

A wilderness permit is required for every overnight backcountry trip, year-round. Day hikes like the Mist Trail and developed campgrounds don’t need one.

The preseason lottery on Recreation.gov has historically run in March, with results in mid-April. The application fee is non-refundable.

Weekdays in September and early October have better odds than summer Saturdays. Smaller groups also do better.

• Create a Recreation.gov account before the window opens
• Set a realistic group size; you can hike with fewer people, not more
• Rank every date you can do, weekdays first
• Add an alternate trip leader
• Set reminders for results day and the confirmation deadline

During cables season, a daily lottery releases permits for two days out. Apply on Recreation.gov during the daytime window; results come that evening.

It suits visitors already near the park with flexible days. Check the official page for the current window.

Wilderness permits are on Recreation.gov. Recently, most of each trailhead quota has gone through a lottery about 24 weeks ahead, with the rest released about a week out.

Quotas apply to the starting trailhead, so a less popular start can still reach popular areas.

• Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley: the classic Half Dome overnight, most competitive
• Happy Isles pass-through Little Yosemite Valley: camp beyond LYV, slightly easier
• Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley: alternative start when Glacier Point Road is open
• Sunrise Lakes and Cathedral Lakes: Tuolumne trailheads, depend on Tioga Road
• Hetch Hetchy and Wawona trailheads: easier, especially early and late season

Backpackers on eligible trailheads can add Half Dome to a wilderness permit, subject to a separate quota. From Little Yosemite Valley, the summit round trip is about 8 to 9 miles with serious gain.

Half Dome day permits can usually be printed or shown digitally. Wilderness permits may require pickup at a wilderness center: Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, Big Oak Flat, Wawona or Hetch Hetchy.

Approved bear canisters are required overnight and can be rented at wilderness centers. Check whether entry reservations apply to your dates.

The cables are steep, exposed and dangerous when wet. Don’t start if clouds are building, and turn around if conditions change.

The day hike from Happy Isles is about 14 to 16 miles with 4,800 feet of gain and takes 10 to 12 hours. Bring grippy gloves, 3 to 4 liters of water or a filter, a headlamp and food; see my Yosemite packing list.