Reservation7/10
Inyo NF Big Pine Creek South Fork permit
Wilderness permit for entry via Big Pine Creek South Fork in Inyo National Fores...
Inyo NF Wilderness Permit — Big Pine Creek North Fork
Inyo National Forest · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for entry via Big Pine Creek North Fork in Inyo National Forest. Access to John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Big Pine Creek North Fork were gone within 5 minutes.
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Big Pine Creek North Fork Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh7/10
SeasonMay 1 - November 1
CostRecreation.gov permit 233262 lists a $6 Inyo reservation fee plus a $5 per-person fee.
Max Group Size15 people
Big Pine Creek North Fork Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Big Pine Creek North Fork in Inyo National Forest, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Big Pine Creek North Fork is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Big Pine Creek North Fork runs May 1 through November 1.
- Cancelled Big Pine Creek North Fork permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Key Dates
SeasonMay 1 - November 1
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level7/10
LocationEastern Sierra, CA
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
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
2-4 days
Difficulty
StrenuousHighlights
- •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
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.
Hazards & Considerations
- !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
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
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Backcountry Tips
- Today: Extreme heat (95°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
- UV index 8. High altitude sun is intense—sunscreen and hat essential.
- Day 3: Wind gusts to 44mph. Secure tent, avoid exposed ridges.
Today
☀️
95°
51°
Sun
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94°
62°
Mon
⛅
85°
51°
Tue
☀️
87°
61°
Wed
☀️
88°
61°
Thu
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90°
64°
Fri
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93°
67°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Create an account before permits drop
Find this permit on the managing agency's booking system and set up an account with your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
4
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
Learn More
When to Go
Peak: July through SeptemberShoulder: Late June and October
Conditions
Hot below, cold at the lakes, thunderstorms most afternoons.
Crowd Level
HighAdvantages
- +Whole lake chain accessible
- +The glacial colour is at its strongest with meltwater running
- +Black Lake loop open
Challenges
- !Serious heat on the lower climb
- !One of the busiest Bishop-area basins
- !Storms over open granite
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand4/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk2/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Backpackers who want glacial lakes and Palisade views on maintained trail.
Recommended Experience
One prior climb of 2,000-plus feet carrying a pack.
Not Recommended For
Parties hoping to camp low, since the first legal ground is past the wilderness boundary.
About This Permit
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.
The Experience
Why It Matters
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 Route
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.
The Feeling
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.
Rules & Regulations
- •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 Checklist
Required
- 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
Plan Your Trip
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Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Big Pine Creek North Fork
🚐
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Key Landmarks
First Falls
The trail climbs across sage and manzanita slopes above the falls.
Second Falls
Near the wilderness boundary. No camping until a quarter mile past it.
Black Lake
Side trail with views of the Palisade Glacier, rejoining near Fourth Lake.
Seventh Lake
The far end of the lake chain, north of Temple Crag and Mount Sill.
Safety & Planning
Big Pine Creek North Fork FAQ
Does a Big Pine Creek North Fork permit include the South Fork?
No. Inyo National Forest issues them as separate reservations, and the South Fork permit states plainly that it does not include the North Fork.
Where can I camp on the Big Pine Creek North Fork trail?
Not until a quarter mile past the wilderness boundary near Second Falls. Inyo prohibits camping from the trailhead to that point.
Are campfires allowed on the Big Pine Creek North Fork trail?
No. Inyo prohibits campfires on this entry point, so bring a stove.
Which lakes does the Big Pine North Fork trail reach?
Inyo lists First through Seventh Lakes north of Temple Crag and Mount Sill, with a Black Lake side trail that rejoins the main trail near Fourth Lake.
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Trail Conditions
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Trip Reports
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Write the First ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
First light on Temple Crag from Second Lake, when the peak lights up over the turquoise water.
Best Light
Mid-morning at Third or Fifth Lake, when the sun is high enough to bring out the glacial colour.
Beat the Crowds
Second and Third Lakes take almost all the traffic. Fifth through Seventh are usually empty.
Classic Shots
- 📍Temple Crag reflected in Second Lake
- 📍The Palisade Glacier from the Black Lake side trail
- 📍Glacier polish and erratics on the benches between lakes
Can't Get a Big Pine Creek North Fork Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Big Pine Creek South Fork
Same AreaThe other fork, toward Brainard and Finger Lakes under the Middle Palisades.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Rougher trail and a creek ford, but far fewer people.
Bishop Pass -South Lake
Similar ExperienceThe next canyon north, over Bishop Pass into Dusy Basin.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Crosses the crest and reaches the John Muir Trail, on a busier permit.
Treasure Lakes - South Lake
Easier AlternativeA short trip into a quiet granite basin below Mount Thompson.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Much less mileage and easier permits, without the glacier.
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Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Big Pine Creek North Fork trip
Trip planning
Articles that plan a trip around this permit.
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