The Mount Whitney Lottery, Explained

Mount Whitney is the highest peak in the Lower 48, and demand for the Mount Whitney Trail is managed by an annual lottery. Unlike most day-use lotteries, Whitney has a real second act: unclaimed and cancelled dates return to open booking on recreation.gov, where Permit Ranger can watch them.

How the Mount Whitney lottery works

Applications for the Mount Whitney Trail open on recreation.gov from February 1 through mid-March, covering both day-use and overnight trips for the May-October quota season. Results come out in late March, and winners must confirm and pay by the end of April.

Day use and overnight are separate quotas: roughly 100 day hikers and 60 overnight hikers per day on the main trail. The Mountaineer's Route and other Whitney Zone entries fall under the same zone rules.

The part you can actually watch

After the confirmation deadline, every unclaimed date goes back on sale on recreation.gov (typically late April), and cancellations reopen all season. These show up as ordinary Inyo National Forest availability, which Permit Ranger polls around the clock. Whitney-area trailheads, including Whitney Portal and Cottonwood alternatives, are among the most-watched passes on the service.

Northbound JMT hikers should note: a thru-hike permit exiting at Whitney Portal includes the summit without a separate lottery entry.

Frequently asked questions

Can I climb Whitney if I lost the lottery?

Yes. Unclaimed lottery dates return to open booking in late April, and cancellations reopen all season on recreation.gov. Watching those drops is exactly what Permit Ranger does.

Is the Whitney lottery day-use only?

No. The February lottery covers both day-use and overnight quotas for the Mount Whitney Trail; they are separate pools.