How to Get a Wilderness Permit Permit
A genuine quota permit for four primitive wilderness campgrounds below the highest peak in the California State Park System — and the quota is simply the number of sites.
Check Wilderness Permit permit availability1-3 nights
Duration
4.2 miles
Distance
700'
Elevation Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
About Wilderness Permit
Mount San Jacinto State Wilderness runs a real permit quota, and the park explains the mechanism plainly: there is no dispersed camping in the State Wilderness, all campers must have a Wilderness Camping Permit and camp in a designated wilderness campground, and only enough permits are sold to occupy the available sites. Four primitive wilderness campgrounds exist, all open year-round — Round Valley with 19 sites, Tamarack Valley with 8, Little Round Valley with 6, and Strawberry Junction with 3. Every one has vault toilets and a maximum occupancy of 15 per site. Permits are $5.00 per person and subject to availability. They may be acquired up to 8 weeks before your desired camping date, and one person may fill out the permit for a hiking group of up to 15 provided everyone hikes together at all times. There are three routes: in person at Park Headquarters at the Idyllwild Campground, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily; at the Long Valley Ranger Station at the top of the tramway, cash or check only and same-day permits only; or by mail with a completed application, a check or money order, and a self-addressed stamped envelope — the park does not process applications without the envelope. Demand is real and the agency publishes it: on summer weekends these campgrounds fill to capacity four or more weeks in advance. It is essential that campers plan ahead to avoid being turned away on those weekends. Fees are non-refundable in the event of cancellation.
Most California state park camping is a race for inventory. This is a carrying-capacity system, and the park says so outright: each backcountry campground has a limited number of sites and only enough permits are sold to occupy those sites. Thirty-six sites across four camps is the whole ceiling, and on summer weekends these campgrounds fill to capacity four or more weeks in advance.
The Experience
You step out of a tram car into pine forest that has no business being just above the desert floor. The weather at the Mountain Station is typically 30 to 40 degrees cooler than on the desert below.
There are two ways in. From the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the only entrance into the park from the Mountain Station is down a steep paved walkway that descends 100 feet in an eighth of a mile, whose handrails do not run its full length. From Long Valley at 8,400 feet, Round Valley Meadow is 4.2 miles round trip with 700 feet of gain, and the Round Valley Loop is 4.0 miles with 600 feet. From Idyllwild, the Devil's Slide Trail reaches Wellman Divide in 10.6 miles round trip with 3,300 feet of gain.
The four campgrounds are all open year-round: Round Valley with 19 primitive sites and a water spigot that must be filtered or purified and may run dry, Tamarack Valley with 8, Little Round Valley with 6, and Strawberry Junction with 3. All have vault toilets and a maximum occupancy of 15 per site.
San Jacinto Peak stands at 10,834 feet, the highest peak in the California State Park System — 11.6 miles round trip and 2,400 feet of gain from Long Valley, or 16 miles and 4,500 feet from Devil's Slide.
What to Expect
A per-person $5 permit, available up to 56 days ahead, with a genuine site-count quota behind it
Four year-round camps totalling 36 sites, each taking up to 15 people
Vault toilets everywhere; a water spigot only at Round Valley, which must be purified and may run dry
A same-day walk-up channel at the Long Valley Ranger Station, cash or check only
No fires at all, anywhere in the wilderness — chemical stoves only
Altitude: the Long Valley entry is 8,400 feet and the peak is 10,834
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Permit Requirements
Build no fires. Chemical stoves permitted.
Camp only in a campsite designated by a brown post. There is no dispersed camping in the State Wilderness.
Bring no dogs into the State Wilderness.
No more than 15 people per campsite; juvenile groups must have at least one adult leader for each 14 juveniles.
No smoking. Smoking is not allowed.
Possess no firearms, bows, or slingshots.
Neither possess nor use any wheeled mechanical or motorized device, including bicycles, strollers, carts or motorcycles.
Pack out all trash and garbage.
Dispose of waste water and wash dishes at least 100 feet from any stream, spring or faucet.
Erect no structures made from rocks, branches, snow or other natural materials.
Everyone entering the wilderness area for the day or for camping must have a permit in their possession. Day-use permits are free.
Both the State Park and National Forest honour each other's day-use permits, but not overnight permits.
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •Water filter or purifier — all backcountry water must be purified, including the Round Valley spigot
- •Chemical or gas stove; fires are prohibited outright
- •Cold-weather sleeping system for high-elevation camps in any season
- •Cash or check for a same-day permit at Long Valley
- •Sun protection at altitude
Recommended Gear
- •Trekking poles and micro-spikes when snow remains at higher elevations near the peak
- •A wildlife-proof food container — there are no lockers in the wilderness and the park highly recommends one
- •Extra water capacity in case the Round Valley spigot is dry
- •A self-addressed stamped envelope if applying by mail; applications without one are not processed
- •Layers for a 30 to 40 degree drop from the desert floor
Hazards & Safety
Altitude — the tram delivers you to 8,400 feet with no gradual approach, and the peak is 10,834 feet.
Snow persists at higher elevations near the peak well into spring; trekking poles and micro-spikes are strongly recommended.
There are no wildlife-proof lockers in the State Wilderness.
The Round Valley water spigot may run dry, and all water must be filtered or purified.
The Skyline Route to the summit ascends over 10,000 feet from Palm Springs with no water access points until Long Valley, and weather is highly variable with unpredictable temperatures and icy conditions.
The walkway down from the tramway Mountain Station descends 100 feet in an eighth of a mile and its handrails do not run its full length.
Best Time to Visit
Late spring through early autumn, once snow has cleared the higher trails. Summer weekends are the crunch — the agency says the campgrounds fill four or more weeks in advance then, so apply on the day the 56-day window opens. Midweek in September and October is the easiest permit and the clearest air. Winter camping is allowed year-round but demands full snow gear.
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 Wilderness Permit permit?
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Wilderness Permit permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Wilderness Permit?
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Late spring through early autumn, once snow has cleared the higher trails. Summer weekends are the crunch — the agency says the campgrounds fill four or more weeks in advance then, so apply on the day the 56-day window opens. Midweek in September and October is the easiest permit and the clearest air. Winter camping is allowed year-round but demands full snow gear.
How difficult is Wilderness Permit?
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Backpackers who want high alpine terrain in Southern California, and anyone who likes the idea of riding a tram to 8,400 feet and walking into wilderness from there. Groups up to 15 fit on a single permit.
What gear do I need for Wilderness Permit?
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Essential gear includes: Water filter or purifier — all backcountry water must be purified, including the Round Valley spigot, Chemical or gas stove; fires are prohibited outright, Cold-weather sleeping system for high-elevation camps in any season, Cash or check for a same-day permit at Long Valley, Sun protection at altitude.
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