How to Get a Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail Permit
The quiet half of Young Lakes: same basin, ten permits a day, and a start that runs through Tuolumne Meadows and Soda Springs.
Check Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail permit availability10
People Per Day
Recreation.gov permit 445859 lists a $10 reservation fee and a $5 per-person use fee, plus a $10 lottery registration fee for the weekly lottery.
Permit Cost
1-2 nights
Duration
moderate
Difficulty
About Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail
Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail is a Tuolumne Meadows wilderness trailhead in Yosemite National Park, reaching the Young Lakes basin by way of Soda Springs and the first stretch of the Glen Aulin trail. NPS sets the daily quota at 10 people: 6 reservable by lottery 24 weeks in advance and 4 released first-come, first-served one week in advance. That is half the Dog Lake route's quota for the same destination. NPS asks you to park at Lembert Dome and lists Half Dome as unavailable with this trailhead. Reservations for the Tuolumne area run June 18 to October 14, 2026.
NPS describes hikers on this trail travelling through Tuolumne Meadows to Soda Springs and following the Glen Aulin trail for a short while before ascending through lodgepole forest toward Ragged Peak and Young Lakes. NPS is specific that it follows the first 1.5 miles of the Glen Aulin Trail before diverging northward.
The Experience
The first stretch is flat meadow with the Tuolumne beside you and Soda Springs bubbling out of the ground. Then the trail turns north and climbs into lodgepole, and the meadow noise falls away completely.
Park at Lembert Dome. The route crosses Tuolumne Meadows to Soda Springs and joins the Glen Aulin trail for its first 1.5 miles before turning north toward Ragged Peak.
NPS puts Young Lakes at 6.0 miles by the Glen Aulin route. The basin is the same one reached from Dog Lake, but this permit carries a quota of 10 people a day instead of 20, so the approach is far quieter.
Campfires are prohibited at Young Lakes and anywhere above 9,600 feet. NPS notes the Tuolumne River is a water source for San Francisco and asks for washing and waste to be kept 300 feet from water throughout the watershed.
What to Expect
A daily quota of 10 people: 6 by lottery 24 weeks out, 4 released one week out
Parking at Lembert Dome, per NPS
Vault toilets at the trailhead per the NPS trailhead table
A flat meadow start past Soda Springs before the climb
Young Lakes at 6.0 miles, per NPS mileages
Get Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail Alerts
Be first to know when cancellations happen.
Permit Requirements
Campfires are prohibited at Young Lakes and anywhere above 9,600 feet
Along the Tuolumne watershed, do all washing and waste disposal 300 feet from water
Maximum group size is 15 people, or 8 for cross-country hiking more than a quarter mile off trail
Allowed bear-resistant food canisters are required throughout Yosemite Wilderness
Half Dome is not available with this trailhead
If Tioga Road is closed on your date the permit is not valid and there is no refund
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •An allowed bear-resistant food canister
- •A stove for a basin where fires are banned
- •Warm layers for freezing nights at the lakes
- •Water treatment
Hazards & Safety
Afternoon storms on the exposed meadow crossing
Cold nights in the basin
Snow in the basin into early July
Bears in the Tuolumne parking areas
Best Time to Visit
Reservations run June 18 to October 14 in 2026. Mid-July through August is the reliable window, and September gives cold, empty nights at the lakes.
Pro Tips
If both Young Lakes permits are open, take this one for the quieter walk
Park at Lembert Dome, not the wilderness center
Walk out through Soda Springs in the early morning for the best light of the trip
Four of the ten spots come out seven days ahead
Carry a stove, since fires are banned at the lakes
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 Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail permit?
+
Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail?
+
Reservations run June 18 to October 14 in 2026. Mid-July through August is the reliable window, and September gives cold, empty nights at the lakes.
How difficult is Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail?
+
Backpackers who want the Young Lakes basin with a quieter walk in.
What gear do I need for Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail?
+
Essential gear includes: An allowed bear-resistant food canister, A stove for a basin where fires are banned, Warm layers for freezing nights at the lakes, Water treatment.
Don't Miss Your Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail Permit
Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
Get Permit Alerts
