Permit Printing Instructions

Wilderness Permit Terms

One week before the trip you can print at home or request the permit.

The group leader is the person responsible for obtaining and holding the permit during the trip. Before you can print a permit you must reserve online through www.Recreation.gov

A wilderness permit can only be used by the person named on the permit.
Provide complete permit details, including camp locations every night.
Permit is only valid for group leader, trail, dates, and number of people specified on the permit.

View all Permit Terms and Leader Responsibility (bottom of page).

No-Show Deadline

Permit will be canceled as a No-Show unless printed or issued before the deadline.

Day Use Whitney deadline is noon one day before the trip.
Overnight permit deadline is 10 am on the entry date.

Print Permit at Home

When you print at home you do not need to check-in in person. Permit holders who choose to print at home are responsible to research the specific rules that apply to the area and print out relevant Minimum Impact Wilderness Regulations to go with the wilderness permit.

Log into your recreation.gov account and open/ modify the reservation. Look for the print permit button near the top of the page.

Before you print:

Verify final group size, entry and exit information is correct.
Complete permit details, including camp locations for every night.

After printing, you cannot make changes unless you contact the wilderness permit office or go into the visitor center during open hours to have the permit reissued.

Additional Documents to Print:

Reconn Trip Record (recommended) Leave a copy of trip information with a friend with instructions of when to report you overdue. This form helps collect useful Search & Rescue information and may help your friend through what can be a stressful task.
Print California Campfire Permit(required) to operate a stove. Review fire safety information and print out free permit.
Print and sign Sequoia and Kings Canyon Minimum Impact Wilderness Regulations(required) if your travel plan enters the parks.
PrintJohn Muir Trail Minimum Impact Wilderness Regulations(recommended) if going on the John Muir Trail or PCT.

Leader is responsible to research specific rules that apply to the area to be visited. If you have questions on the following topics call the visitor center near your entry point or contact the wilderness permit office.

Mt Whitney trips, waste disposal kits are available at the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center. Summer season, waste disposal kits are available at Whitney Portal near the trailhead information sign.

Topics to Review:

Food storage and bear resistant container use
Campfire restrictions
Human waste disposal
Campsite selection
Pack it in, Pack it out / Leave No Trace
Minimum Impact Restrictions specifically for National Parks if you will travel through Yosemite or Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Wilderness Permit Rules

Group Leader Signature Validates the Permit

Permit must be printed, signed, and in the group leader’s possession during the trip. A reservation letter is not accepted as proof of having a permit. Print out a paper copy; phones get lost, broken, or run out of power and the permit includes rules and information for your reference during the trip.

Permit Terms

Leader is responsible to ensure everyone in their group understands the rules and will obey the conditions of the permit. You are agreeing to the following permit terms.

Wilderness permit required for all overnight travel and for day use of the Mt Whitney zone.
Whitney Day Use permit cannot be used as part of a multi day trip.
A signed permit must be in the group leaders possession during the trip and must be presented to an authorized person upon request.
Minimum Impact Requirements document for the area visited must be kept with wilderness permit.
Permit is only valid for group leader, trail, dates, and number of people specified on the permit.
Large groups cannot exceed group size limits even if they have separate permits.
All people count for wilderness quotas and fees; no exceptions for children or seniors.
A permit is valid for one continuous wilderness trip.
Each trip requires a new wilderness permit; there is no season pass.
National Interagency Pass is not a substitute for specific activity permits, like a wilderness permit.
Pacific Crest Trail (PCTA) permits are not valid to start on quota trails in Inyo National Forest.
Reservations or permits cannot be sold or transferred. Only an alternate leader listed when the reservation is made can replace the group leader.
A reservation or payment receipt is not proof of having a valid reservation or permit.

Request Permit by Email or Phone

Contact the wilderness permit office if you have wilderness questions, need reservation assistance or need to reissue a permit with corrections. For email requests, allow time for response during business hours. Leader must print out paper copy of permit.

Phone: (760) 873-2483
Email to: SM.FS.WildPmt_Inyo@usda.gov

In Person Service

Check for open hours before you go to the visitor center. In person services includes the chance to ask questions in person, rent a bear can, or purchase maps and guide books. Free waste disposal kits are also provided with Mt Whitney permits. For the most up to date information go to the visitor center closest to your trail. Visitor Center Locations.

Winter Permits

Permits are required year-round. For trips that begin during the non-quota season (November 2 through April 30) the number of permits that will be issued is unlimited. Space will open on recreation.gov 2 weeks before the trip. Some trails are affected by road closure. To request a trail that shows zero or blank during winter season, contact the wilderness permit office.

Booking a winter permit: