How to Get a John Muir Trail Permit in 2026
The 211-mile JMT from Yosemite to Mount Whitney is America's bucket-list hike. Only 45 people per day can exit via Donohue Pass. Here's your complete strategy.
Check Availability~10%
Lottery Odds
45
Donohue Quota
$15
Permit Cost
Jul-Sep
Peak Season
211 mi
Full Trail
Understanding the Donohue Pass Quota
The JMT crosses multiple jurisdictions, but there's one bottleneck: only 45 people per day can exit Yosemite via Donohue Pass. If you start at Happy Isles and hike northbound, you count against this quota. This is what makes the classic JMT permit so competitive.
Four Ways to Start the JMT
Happy Isles (Classic)
Traditional start • Most competitive
Complete JMT experience with Vernal/Nevada Falls
Apply via Recreation.gov, 168 days in advance at 7am PT
~10% odds, counts against Donohue quota
Tuolumne Meadows
Skip Yosemite Valley • Better odds
Start at Lyell Canyon or Cathedral Lakes at elevation
Easier permits than Happy Isles
Miss the waterfalls, still counts against Donohue
Inyo NF (East Side)
Much easier permits • Section hikes
Kearsarge Pass, Bishop Pass, Cottonwood Pass entries
Can include Whitney segment with lower competition
Not a complete thru-hike, different logistics
Southbound (SOBO)
Whitney Portal start • Different perspective
Summit Whitney first, hike north to Yosemite
Avoids Donohue quota, different acclimatization
Whitney lottery is also competitive, more early elevation
2026 Permit Timeline
Yosemite Permits
Trail Season
Get John Muir Trail Alerts
Be first to know when cancellations happen.
6 Strategies to Improve Your Odds
Apply at Exactly 7am PT
For Yosemite permits, the system opens at 7am PT sharp. Have your account logged in, dates selected, and be ready to click. Seconds matter.
Target Weekday Starts
Weekend starts (Friday, Saturday) are most competitive. Tuesday-Thursday starts have significantly better odds.
Consider Shoulder Season
Late June and September have lower demand than July-August. Snow may linger on passes in June; September brings golden larches.
Be Flexible on Trailhead
If Happy Isles is unavailable, check Cathedral Lakes, Lyell Canyon, or Sunrise Lakes. All access the JMT with slightly different routing.
Try for Walk-Up Permits
40% of permits are held for walk-ups, distributed the day before at wilderness centers. Arrive early and have flexible dates.
Hunt Cancellations
Cancelled permits return to Recreation.gov with no warning. PermitSnag monitors 24/7 and alerts you instantly when spots open.
Resupply Strategy
The JMT is too long to carry all your food. Plan resupplies at these key points:
Tuolumne Meadows
Mi 25Small store, limited selection
Red's Meadow
Mi 58General store, UPS packages
Vermilion Valley Resort
Mi 76Ferry + walk, package pickup
Muir Trail Ranch
Mi 108Bucket resupply, book early
Kearsarge Pass
Mi ~110Hitch to Bishop
Bishop Pass
Mi ~130Shuttle to Bishop
What Happens When You Get a Permit
Pay permit fee
$5/person/night
Plan resupply
Book MTR buckets early
Get bear canister
Required everywhere
Pick up permit
Day before at station
Start hiking
Check in at trailhead
Didn't Get a Permit? You Still Have Options
Walk-Up Permits
40% of permits are walk-ups. Show up at the wilderness center the day before with flexible dates.
Cancellation Alerts
Permits get cancelled every day. PermitSnag monitors 24/7 and alerts you the moment one opens.
Section Hike
Enter from Inyo NF (east side) for easier permits and experience the best sections of the JMT.
Pro Tips from JMT Thru-Hikers
Apply for multiple trailheads
Submit applications for Happy Isles and backup trailheads simultaneously. Don't put all eggs in one basket.
Book resupply early
Muir Trail Ranch bucket slots fill months in advance. Book as soon as you get your permit.
Bear canister is mandatory
Yosemite, SEKI, and Inyo NF all require bear-resistant containers. No exceptions, no bear hangs.
Train for altitude
You'll spend weeks above 10,000 feet with 11 passes. Acclimatize before attempting high passes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the odds of getting a JMT permit?
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The Happy Isles Donohue Pass exit quota lottery has approximately 10% odds. Alternative entry points from Inyo National Forest (east side) have better availability, though permits can still be competitive during peak season.
When does the JMT permit lottery open?
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The Yosemite wilderness permit lottery opens on a rolling basis, 168 days (24 weeks) before your entry date. For the most competitive Happy Isles trailhead, you can apply starting at 7am PT exactly 168 days out. Applications are processed in order received.
Can I start the JMT from a different trailhead?
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Yes. While Happy Isles is the classic start, many hikers enter via Inyo National Forest trailheads (Cottonwood Pass, Kearsarge Pass, Bishop Pass) and hike sections of the JMT. These permits are often easier to obtain.
Do I need separate permits for the whole JMT?
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No. A single wilderness permit covers your entire trip. The permit is tied to your entry trailhead and date. Once you enter the wilderness, you can travel freely on the trail for the duration of your permit.
How long does it take to hike the JMT?
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Most thru-hikers complete the 211-mile JMT in 14-21 days. Fastpackers can finish in 8-10 days. The trail includes 11 passes over 10,000 feet and approximately 47,000 feet of cumulative elevation change.
Don't Miss Your JMT Permit
Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors JMT trailhead availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
Get Permit Alerts
