How to Get a Big Pine Creek North Fork Permit
Seven numbered lakes below Temple Crag, tinted glacier-blue by the last real glacier in the Sierra.
Check Big Pine Creek North Fork permit availabilityRecreation.gov permit 233262 lists a $6 Inyo reservation fee plus a $5 per-person fee.
Permit Cost
2-4 days
Duration
strenuous
Difficulty
About Big Pine Creek North Fork
Big Pine Creek North Fork is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point above Big Pine, climbing into the John Muir Wilderness toward the Big Pine Lakes and the Palisade Glacier. Inyo's quota season runs May 1 to November 1 in 2026, with reservations opening six months in advance at 7 am Pacific and additional permits released two weeks ahead. From November 2 to April 30 the trailhead is non-quota with a two-week booking window. Inyo separates this permit from the South Fork, so check the area map before booking. Camping is barred from the trailhead to a quarter mile past the wilderness boundary near Second Falls, and campfires are prohibited outright.
Inyo National Forest describes the Big Pine North Fork trail going to the popular First through Seventh Lakes north of Temple Crag and Mount Sill, past a chain of lakes where you can see the effects of past glacial activity: glacier polish, and erratics, those oddly balanced boulders left standing on the polished granite as the glacier melted.
The Experience
The first miles are hot, open sage and manzanita above First Falls with no shade at all. Then the canyon closes in and the lakes start, one after another, each one a shade of milky turquoise from the glacial flour coming off the Palisade Glacier.
The hike starts across sunny sage and manzanita covered slopes above First Falls and enters the wilderness boundary near Second Falls. Camping is prohibited from the trailhead to a quarter mile past that boundary, so the climb has to be done in one go.
Above that the lakes come in sequence. Inyo notes a side trail to Black Lake offering views of the Palisade Glacier and the Sierra Crest before looping back to the main trail near Fourth Lake, which is the standard way to make a loop out of the basin.
Regulations are strict: no campfires anywhere, and food and refuse must be stored in a bear-resistant container or counter-balanced at least 15 feet above the ground and 10 feet horizontally from a tree trunk.
What to Expect
A climb through open sage and manzanita with no shade before the wilderness boundary
First through Seventh Lakes north of Temple Crag and Mount Sill
A Black Lake side trail with Palisade Glacier views, rejoining near Fourth Lake
A quota season from May 1 to November 1, plus a two-week release
A separate permit from the South Fork
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Permit Requirements
No camping from the trailhead to a quarter mile past the wilderness boundary near Second Falls
No campfires
Food and refuse must be stored in a container designed to prevent access by bears, or counter-balanced at least 15 feet above the ground and 10 feet horizontally from a tree trunk where containers are not required
Maximum group size is 15
John Muir Wilderness regulations apply, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon regulations apply if you enter the park, including no pets
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •A bear-resistant container, or a counterbalance setup
- •A stove, since campfires are prohibited on this permit
- •Three litres of water capacity for the shadeless lower climb
- •Sun protection
Hazards & Safety
Heat on the exposed lower switchbacks
Afternoon storms in an open glacial basin
Snow and ice near the Palisade Glacier through midsummer
Bears working the lake basin
Best Time to Visit
The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. July through September is when the upper lakes are clear. Start early in any month, because the lower trail bakes.
Pro Tips
Start before sunrise - the lower climb is sage and manzanita with no shade
Camp at Fifth Lake or beyond if you want the basin to yourself
Take the Black Lake side trail one way for the Palisade Glacier view
The two-week release adds permits on top of the six-month window
Check the trailhead name at booking, since North Fork and South Fork are different reservations
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Big Pine Creek North Fork permit?
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Big Pine Creek North Fork permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Big Pine Creek North Fork?
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The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. July through September is when the upper lakes are clear. Start early in any month, because the lower trail bakes.
How difficult is Big Pine Creek North Fork?
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Backpackers who want glacial lakes and Palisade views on maintained trail.
What gear do I need for Big Pine Creek North Fork?
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Essential gear includes: A bear-resistant container, or a counterbalance setup, A stove, since campfires are prohibited on this permit, Three litres of water capacity for the shadeless lower climb, Sun protection.
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