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Wilderness permit for entry via Blackrock in Inyo National Forest. Access to Joh...
Inyo NF Wilderness Permit — Bishop Pass (JMT)
Inyo National Forest · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for entry via Bishop Pass (JMT) in Inyo National Forest. Access to John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Bishop Pass (JMT) were gone within 10 minutes.
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Bishop Pass (JMT) Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh8/10
SeasonMay 1 - November 1
CostRecreation.gov permit 233262 lists a $6 Inyo reservation fee plus a $5 per-person fee.
Max Group Size15 people
Bishop Pass (JMT) Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Bishop Pass (JMT) in Inyo National Forest, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Bishop Pass (JMT) is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Bishop Pass (JMT) runs May 1 through November 1.
- Cancelled Bishop Pass (JMT) 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 Level8/10
LocationEastern Sierra, CA
Pro Tips
- •Sleep at altitude the night before - the South Lake trailhead is already high and the pass is higher
- •The Chocolate Lake loop is a nicer way up and rejoins at Long Lake, but it is not for stock
- •Two nights is the cap in Dusy Basin, so build the itinerary around that before you book
- •Watch the two-week release as well as the six-month opening - Inyo puts more permits out then
- •Do not book Bishop Pass if your plan is Treasure Lakes, which is a separate reservation
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Varies
Duration
2-5 days
Difficulty
StrenuousHighlights
- •A climb past Long Lake, Saddlerock Lake and Bishop Lake to the pass
- •A permit that may continue on the John Muir Trail, per Inyo
- •A quota season from May 1 to November 1, plus a two-week release
- •Kings Canyon rules from the pass onward, including a two-night limit in Dusy Basin
- •Trips toward Treasure Lakes need a different reservation
Best Time to Visit
The quota season is May 1 to November 1. July through September is when the pass and Dusy Basin are reliably clear. Fall gives cold, still nights and the best light on the Palisades.
Hazards & Considerations
- !A trailhead already near 9,800 feet, so altitude hits fast for valley arrivals
- !Afternoon thunderstorms on open slabs with no shelter
- !Snow on the pass into early summer
- !Bears working the lower lakes, which is why containers are required
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
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95°
51°
Sun
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94°
62°
Mon
⛅
85°
51°
Tue
☀️
87°
61°
Wed
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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
Snow off the pass by mid-July most years, storms in the afternoon.
Crowd Level
HighAdvantages
- +Dusy Basin fully open
- +Shortest eastside approach to the John Muir Trail
- +Warm enough to camp on the slabs
Challenges
- !The most contested Bishop-area trailhead
- !Storms over open granite
- !Mosquitoes at the lower lakes in early summer
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 alpine terrain fast, and JMT hikers looking for a short, direct eastside entry.
Recommended Experience
One prior night above 10,000 feet and comfort with sustained climbing on rock.
Not Recommended For
Parties that have not acclimatized, since the trailhead itself is already high.
About This Permit
Bishop Pass at South Lake is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point above Bishop, giving access to the John Muir Wilderness and, over the pass, to Dusy Basin and the John Muir Trail in Kings Canyon National Park.
Inyo's quota season runs May 1 to November 1 in 2026. Reservations open six months in advance at 7 am Pacific, and additional permits are released two weeks in advance. From November 2 to April 30 the trailhead is non-quota and bookable up to two weeks ahead.
Two things trip people up. Inyo says trips going toward Treasure Lakes are a different reservation, so check the area map before you book. And Dusy Basin carries a two-night camping limit once you are inside the national park.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Bishop Pass is the shortest honest line from the Owens Valley to the John Muir Trail, which is why it is one of the busiest Inyo trailheads. Inyo National Forest describes the trail climbing the valley between the Inconsolable Range and Hurd Peak, over granite benches each holding lakes and ponds, with the highest lakes above Saddlerock Lake tinted by glacial melt at the foot of Mt. Thompson and Mt. Goode.
The Route
The trail starts at South Lake and works up past a string of lakes. Inyo notes the Chocolate Lake loop as a popular alternate route around Chocolate Peak that rejoins the main trail at Long Lake, and says it is not recommended for stock.
Over Bishop Pass is the backcountry of Kings Canyon National Park. Inyo says the trail continues through Dusy Basin to LeConte Canyon where it meets the John Muir Trail, and that a permit for Bishop Pass may continue on the John Muir Trail.
Park rules take over at the boundary. Sequoia and Kings Canyon regulations include no pets, no bear spray, a two-night camp limit for Dusy Basin, and an off-trail group size limit of eight in Dusy and Palisade Basin.
The Feeling
Every switchback buys you another lake. Long Lake, then Saddlerock, then Bishop Lake with the pass finally visible above it. Over the top the ground falls away into Dusy Basin, which is one of the great campsites in the Sierra: slabs, tarns, and the Palisades stacked across the sky.
Rules & Regulations
- •No campfires above 10,400 feet
- •Bear containers are required for storage of food and trash
- •Maximum group size is 15
- •Sequoia and Kings Canyon wilderness regulations apply once you enter the park, including no pets, no bear spray, a two-night camp limit for Dusy Basin, and an off-trail group size of 8 in Dusy and Palisade Basin
- •The Chocolate Lake loop is not recommended for stock
- •Trips going toward Treasure Lakes are a different reservation
Gear Checklist
Required
- A bear canister - Inyo requires containers for food and trash here
- A stove, since fires are prohibited above 10,400 feet and camping is above that line
- Warm layers for a basin that freezes most nights
- Water treatment
- Sun protection on open granite above treeline
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Bishop Pass (JMT)
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Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
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Key Landmarks
South Lake trailhead
Start of the climb between the Inconsolable Range and Hurd Peak.
Long Lake
Where the Chocolate Lake loop rejoins the main trail.
Saddlerock Lake
The highest lakes above it are tinted with glacial melt at the foot of Mt. Thompson and Mt. Goode.
Dusy Basin
Over the pass in Kings Canyon. Two-night camp limit, off-trail group size limit of 8.
LeConte Canyon
Where the trail meets the John Muir Trail.
Bishop Pass (JMT) FAQ
Can I hike the John Muir Trail on a Bishop Pass permit?
Yes. Inyo National Forest states that a permit for Bishop Pass may continue on the John Muir Trail. The trail crosses the pass, runs through Dusy Basin and meets the JMT in LeConte Canyon.
How long can I camp in Dusy Basin on a Bishop Pass permit?
Two nights. Sequoia and Kings Canyon wilderness regulations set a two-night camp limit for Dusy Basin, along with an off-trail group size limit of eight there and in Palisade Basin.
Is the Treasure Lakes trail included on a Bishop Pass permit?
No. Inyo states that trips going toward Treasure Lakes are a different reservation. Check the area map and book the right entry point.
Do I need a bear canister for a Bishop Pass permit?
Yes. Inyo requires bear containers for storage of food and trash at this entry point.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
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Questions
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Photography Guide
Golden Hour
Sunrise on Mt. Agassiz and the Inconsolable Range from Long Lake, with the water still.
Best Light
Late afternoon in Dusy Basin, when the Palisades catch the last light across the tarns.
Beat the Crowds
Most day hikers turn around at Long Lake or Bishop Lake. Anything over the pass thins out immediately.
Classic Shots
- 📍Long Lake with Chocolate Peak behind
- 📍The glacial-melt tint in the lakes above Saddlerock
- 📍Dusy Basin slabs with the Palisade Crest above
Can't Get a Bishop Pass (JMT) Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Piute Pass (North Lake)
Same AreaThe next drainage north, over Piute Pass into Humphreys Basin.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Gentler grade and more open country, without the direct Dusy Basin payoff.
Treasure Lakes - South Lake
Easier AlternativeA short trip from the same trailhead into the Treasure Lakes basin.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Much less mileage and usually easier to reserve, but it does not cross the crest.
Pine Creek Pass
Similar ExperienceA longer eastside crossing to French Canyon, Royce Lakes and Humphreys Basin.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Twenty miles to the JMT instead of a short crossing, but far less competition for permits.
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Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Bishop Pass (JMT) trip
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