John Muir Trail Permits: Every Way to Get on the JMT

There is no single "JMT permit." Your permit comes from the agency that manages your starting trailhead, and it covers the whole thru-hike. That means there are many doors into the trail, each with its own quota, release schedule, and odds. Permit Ranger watches four of the permit systems that feed the JMT.

Southbound from Yosemite (the classic route)

The classic thru-hike starts at Happy Isles or Lyell Canyon in Yosemite and exits the park over Donohue Pass. Yosemite caps Donohue Pass exits separately from the trailhead quota, which makes these the most competitive wilderness permits in the country. Yosemite awards 60% of quota by weekly lottery 24 weeks ahead; the remaining 40% opens 7 days before entry at 7:00 AM Pacific, and cancellations reopen at any time.

See the Yosemite permit guide for the full release schedule and every JMT-relevant trailhead.

Northbound from Whitney Portal or Cottonwood (Inyo)

Northbound hikers start in Inyo National Forest. Whitney Portal entries go through the Mount Whitney lottery in February; Cottonwood Pass and Cottonwood Lakes are a popular lottery-free alternative that adds two easier days and skips the Whitney Zone exit quota. Inyo trailhead quota opens six months ahead by date, and cancellations at Whitney-area trailheads are among the most valuable drops on recreation.gov.

Mid-trail starts: Sierra National Forest and SEKI

You can also join the JMT mid-trail. Sierra National Forest trailheads like Florence Lake and Mono Creek put you on the trail near Muir Trail Ranch, splitting the hike in half. Kings Canyon entries such as Kearsarge Pass (via Inyo) or SEKI's own trailheads like Copper Creek offer section-hike starts with far better odds than Yosemite.

Section hikers can stitch the whole trail together across multiple permits over several seasons.

Strategy when everything is sold out

JMT quota sells out fast in every system, but cancellations are constant: hikers book early and firm up plans late. Watching all of your viable entry trailheads across a flexible date window is the highest-odds strategy. Permit Ranger watches Yosemite, Inyo, Sierra, and SEKI trailheads around the clock and alerts you the moment any of them opens on your dates.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a separate permit for each park the JMT passes through?

No. One wilderness permit from your starting agency covers the entire thru-hike, including Yosemite, Inyo, Sierra, and Sequoia & Kings Canyon lands. You only need the permit for your entry trailhead.

Does a southbound JMT permit include Mount Whitney?

Yes. A southbound thru-hike permit that exits at Whitney Portal includes the Whitney summit; you do not enter the separate Mount Whitney lottery.

What is the easiest JMT permit to get?

Odds change year to year, but mid-trail and northbound starts (Cottonwood Pass, Sierra National Forest trailheads, Kearsarge Pass) are consistently easier than Yosemite's Donohue-exit trailheads.