06 Rubicon

Desolation Wilderness · California

06 Rubicon is one of several entry-point permits for Desolation Wilderness, covering the Rubicon corridor. With a demand score of 20/100 and odds rated good - most dates stay bookable, it sits well below the crush at zones like Aloha or Twin - most dates remain bookable if you plan ahead. Permits follow a first-come-first-served rolling release with no lottery: First-come-first-served: each entry date's zone quota opens 6 months ahead at 7:00 AM Pacific (rolling window, no lottery, no later drop). Quota season is roughly the Friday before Memorial Day through September 30 (recreation.gov's grid can start a couple of days earlier - 2026 runs May 20 – Sep 30). Off-season, permits are still required (and still bought on recreation.gov) but have no quota - they never sell out.. Dogs are allowed. Off-season permits are still required but never sell out.

When permits are released

First-come-first-served: each entry date's zone quota opens 6 months ahead at 7:00 AM Pacific (rolling window, no lottery, no later drop). Quota season is roughly the Friday before Memorial Day through September 30 (recreation.gov's grid can start a couple of days earlier - 2026 runs May 20 – Sep 30). Off-season, permits are still required (and still bought on recreation.gov) but have no quota - they never sell out.

Demand

Low demand (20/100)

Dogs

Dogs are allowed in this area.

Popular trails nearby

Frequently asked questions

When do 06 Rubicon permits open?

Each entry date opens on a rolling basis exactly 6 months ahead at 7:00 AM Pacific - no lottery, no later batch drop. The quota season runs May 20, 2026 through September 30, 2026. Off-season dates are also bookable on recreation.gov anytime, with no quota to race against.

How competitive is 06 Rubicon?

Demand is rated 20/100 - good - most dates stay bookable. Compared to high-pressure neighbors like Aloha, Gilmore, or Twin, Rubicon sees lighter competition. Weekend dates in peak summer move faster than weekdays, but you generally don't need to be at your keyboard the instant the 6-month window opens.

What if my dates are sold out?

Cancellations do appear. Set a cancellation alert on Permit Ranger and check back - given 06 Rubicon's relatively low demand score, availability tends to return more reliably here than at the most contested zones in Desolation Wilderness. You can also look at lower-demand neighbors such as Brown Mountain or Highland.

Do I need a permit outside the main quota season?

Yes. Off-season permits are still required and purchased on recreation.gov, but no quota applies - they never sell out. Book anytime that works for you.

Are dogs allowed on 06 Rubicon?

Yes, dogs are permitted on this entry pass into Desolation Wilderness.

Nearby passes

Book on recreation.gov · All Desolation Wilderness passes · Desolation Wilderness permit guide