Why Do I Need a Permit?

A permit is required to visit many of the Sierra Nevada’s wilderness areas, and some areas have quotas (a limit on the number of visitors) for more crowded trails. These requirements serve three very important purposes.

• Preserving the Wilderness Experience: Those of us visiting wilderness areas do so partly for the “outstanding opportunities for solitude” outlined in the Wilderness Act of 1964. To insure this solitude quotas and permits limit the number of visitors allowed in certain areas. Though frustrating at times, these limits ensure that our wilderness experiences will be as wild as possible.
• Protecting the Wilderness Area: According to the wilderness act these areas must be “affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man’s work substantially unnoticeable.” In order to meet this goal and protect our wild places permits and quotas limit the number of people impacting an area at one time.
• Educating the Wilderness User: Required permits enable land managers to educate visitors before they enter a protected area. Not everyone takes the time to plan and research before their trip (like you, thanks for reading this), and permits guaruntee that each visitor gets important basic education before their wilderness trip.

Some wilderness areas require permits for any visit, some only for overnight trips, and some not at all. This depends on the sensitivity of the landscape and the popularity of the area. Always check before your trip whether a permit is required or you may be stuck at the trail head all dressed up with nowhere to go.

Why Do Some Areas Not Require a Permit?

Permits and quotas exist to protect our wilderness areas from damage and preserve our ability to experience the solitude they have to offer. Some wilderness areas see far less traffic than others (the best kept secrets in the Sierra) and quotas are not necessary. If these areas begin to see more visitors, or more importantly, if visitors coming to these areas don’t respect the wilderness, permits and quotas may have to be put in place.

Tips for Getting the Permit You Want

• Do Your Research: Each land management agency’s permit process is different, and some wilderness areas are managed by more than one agency. Use the Wilderness Maps page on this site to find the right wilderness area and read up on that area’s specific regs. You can also research some wilderness areas in the central Sierra (along the John Muir Trail) with our Trip Planning Modules (coming soon). These modules show you the most important regs you need to know for the whole Joh Muir Trail all one GIS map.
• Avoid More Crowded Trails on Busy Weekends: Some of the most spectacular Sierra Wilderness is off the beaten track. Have alternate trail heads in mind when reserving a permit (by phone, over the internet, or in person) and avoid building your trip round one mega-popular summit on the crowdest weekend of the year.
• Worth a Shot: Most wilderness areas that have quotas hold at least some of their permit spaces for “first come first served” visitors arriving without a reservation. Arriving early on the day you’d like to hike (or the day before, depending on the area) can increase your chances at getting a space, but reserving a space ahead of time is always a better bet.
• Plan for flexibility: If your heart is set on that one trail, plan some flexibilty into your time schedule. Perhaps you can’t get a slot on that specific day, but you might be able to enjoy a great day hike in the area and pick up a “first come first served” permit early the next morning. Keep an open mind so that a change in schedule or route doesn’t ruin your trip.