How to Get a Half Dome Permit in 2026
The cables on Half Dome are Yosemite's most iconic challenge. Only 300 day hikers can summit each day. Here's your complete strategy to beat the odds.
Check Availability~15%
Lottery Odds
300
Daily Permits
$10
Permit Cost
May-Oct
Season
14-17 mi
Round Trip
Let's Be Real About the Odds
The Half Dome lottery receives 20,000+ applications for roughly 1,500 permits. That's about 15% odds in the preseason lottery. The daily lottery? Even worse — around 5%. But people do win, and there's a strategy that works better than blind luck.
Two Ways to Get a Permit
Preseason Lottery
Your best shot • March
of all permits distributed through this lottery (~225/day)
Apply once during March for the entire season
Select up to 7 preferred dates
$10 application fee (non-refundable)
Daily Lottery
Last-minute option • Ongoing
of permits released daily (~50 permits)
Apply 2 days before your hike date
Results announced same evening
Much lower odds (~5%) than preseason
2026 Key Dates
Lottery Timeline
Hiking Season
Get Half Dome Alerts
Be first to know when cancellations happen.
5 Strategies to Improve Your Odds
Target Weekdays
Tuesday through Thursday have significantly better odds than weekends. In the preseason lottery, mix weekday and weekend dates in your 7 choices.
Go Shoulder Season
Late May, early June, and October have lower demand. Weather is less predictable, but competition drops dramatically.
Form a Lottery Pool
Coordinate with friends to each apply for the same dates. Winners can add up to 6 people total to their permit.
Double Dip with Daily Lottery
Didn't win preseason? Apply to the daily lottery 2 days before your trip. It's a second chance at the same dates.
Hunt Cancellations
Plans change. Permits get cancelled daily. These return to Recreation.gov with no announcement. This is where PermitSnag comes in.
What Happens When You Win
Pay permit fee
$10 per person
Add group members
Up to 6 total
Download permit
Or print it
Check in
At Happy Isles station
Show permit
Rangers at Sub Dome
Didn't Win? You Still Have Options
Daily Lottery
Apply 2 days before your trip. Lower odds, but people do win.
Cancellation Alerts
Permits get cancelled every day. PermitSnag monitors 24/7 and alerts you instantly.
Hike to Sub Dome
No permit needed. Same trail, 95% of the elevation. Just can't summit.
Pro Tips for Summit Day
Start by 5am
The hike takes 10-14 hours. You want to summit before afternoon thunderstorms roll in.
Watch the weather
Lightning on exposed granite is deadly. Check forecasts and be willing to turn back.
Train for the cables
The final 400 feet are steep, exposed, and exhausting. Practice incline training beforehand.
Bring gloves
The steel cables will shred your hands. Grippy work gloves are essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the odds of winning the Half Dome lottery?
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The preseason lottery has approximately 15-20% success rate, with around 20,000 applications for 1,500 available slots. Daily lotteries have even lower odds at around 5%, as only 50 permits are released two days before each hiking day.
When does the Half Dome lottery open for 2026?
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The preseason lottery opens March 1, 2026 and closes March 31, 2026. Results are announced in mid-April. Daily lotteries run from mid-May through mid-October, with applications accepted two days before each hiking date.
Can I hike Half Dome without a permit?
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You can hike to the Sub Dome (the shoulder below the cables) without a permit. However, ascending the cables to the summit requires a valid permit when the cables are up, typically late May through mid-October. Rangers check permits at Sub Dome.
What happens if I don't win the Half Dome lottery?
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You have three options: 1) Apply for the daily lottery two days before your desired date, 2) Monitor cancellations on Recreation.gov (they happen frequently), or 3) Use PermitSnag to get instant alerts when cancellations occur.
How hard is the Half Dome hike?
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Very demanding. The round trip is 14-17 miles with nearly 5,000 feet of elevation gain. The cables section ascends 400 feet at a 45-degree angle on exposed granite. Most hikers take 10-14 hours. Start before sunrise to finish before afternoon storms.
Don't Miss Your Half Dome Permit
Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors Half Dome availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
Get Permit Alerts
