Reservation7/10
Inyo NF Golden Trout Lakes (Onion Valley) permit
Wilderness permit for entry via Golden Trout Lakes (Onion Valley) in Inyo Nation...
Inyo NF Wilderness Permit — Cottonwood Lakes
Inyo National Forest · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for entry via Cottonwood Lakes in Inyo National Forest. Access to John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Cottonwood Lakes were gone within 10 minutes.
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Cottonwood Lakes 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
Cottonwood Lakes Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Cottonwood Lakes in Inyo National Forest, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Cottonwood Lakes is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Cottonwood Lakes runs May 1 through November 1.
- Cancelled Cottonwood Lakes 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
- •Sleep at Horseshoe Meadows the night before, because this trailhead starts high
- •Check which lake you are fishing - Lakes 1 to 4 are closed until September 1
- •Carry a stove, since fires are banned throughout the basin
- •This and Cottonwood Pass are different permits from the same road, so read the name twice
- •Camp at Muir Lake or the South Fork Lakes if the main basin is busy
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Varies
Duration
2-4 days
Difficulty
ModerateHighlights
- •A gentle climb from an already-high trailhead into the lakes basin
- •Side trails to Muir Lake, Hidden Lake, South Fork Lakes, Cirque Lake, Long Lake and High Lake
- •A permit that may continue over Army Pass and on to the Pacific Crest Trail
- •Special fishing regulations for the golden trout
- •A quota season from May 1 to November 1, plus a two-week release
Best Time to Visit
The quota season runs May 1 to November 1. July through September is the reliable window. September also opens the Lakes 1 through 4 fishing season, which runs to November 30.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Altitude from the first step, since the trailhead is already high
- !Afternoon thunderstorms on an open basin and on New Army Pass
- !Cold nights year-round in the basin
- !Snow on New Army Pass into early summer
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
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Backcountry Tips
- UV index 8. High altitude sun is intense—sunscreen and hat essential.
- Windy conditions: Bring wind-resistant shelter if camping.
Today
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90°
65°
Sun
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71°
56°
Mon
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81°
52°
Tue
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82°
57°
Wed
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82°
57°
Thu
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87°
58°
Fri
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90°
64°
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
Warm days, cold nights, storms most afternoons.
Crowd Level
HighAdvantages
- +Gentle grade from a high trailhead
- +New Army Pass and Mount Langley both accessible
- +Whole basin snow-free from July
Challenges
- !A busy basin in July and August
- !Storm exposure on the pass
- !Lakes 1 through 4 are closed to fishing until September
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand3/5
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
Parties heading for Mount Langley, anglers after golden trout, and backpackers who want alpine country without a hard climb.
Recommended Experience
A night at altitude before starting.
Not Recommended For
Unacclimatized hikers, since the basin sits high and the trailhead is higher than most Sierra summits people have walked.
About This Permit
Cottonwood Lakes is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point near Horseshoe Meadows above Lone Pine, opening the Cottonwood Lakes Basin, New Army Pass and the Mount Langley approach.
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. Outside that window the trailhead is non-quota with a two-week booking window.
Inyo confirms this permit may continue over Army Pass and on the Pacific Crest Trail. It is a different reservation from Cottonwood Pass, which leaves from the same road.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Inyo National Forest describes the Cottonwood Lakes as home to California's state fish, the golden trout, in a basin of pristine lakes and creeks located between Mount Langley and Cirque Peak. It is also the approach to New Army Pass and the southern portion of Sequoia National Park, and the standard route up Mount Langley.
The Route
From near Horseshoe Meadows the trail climbs gently into the Cottonwood Lakes Basin. Inyo lists side trails to Muir Lake, Hidden Lake, South Fork Lakes, Cirque Lake, Long Lake and High Lake.
Climbing over New Army Pass crosses into the southern portion of Sequoia National Park, and Inyo confirms a Cottonwood Lakes permit may continue over Army Pass and on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Fishing here has its own rules. Inyo states only artificial lures may be used, with a limit of two trout. For Lakes 1 through 4 and their tributaries the season is open September 1 through November 30 with a minimum size limit of 14 inches, and other lakes in the basin are open all year.
The Feeling
The trailhead is already high, so the walking is gentle and the air is thin from the first step. The basin opens into a scatter of lakes with Langley's south slope rising behind, and the water is full of small bright fish nobody is allowed to keep more than two of.
Rules & Regulations
- •No campfires in the Cottonwood Lakes Basin or above 10,400 feet
- •Bear containers are required for storage of food and trash
- •Only artificial lures may be used, with a limit of two trout
- •For Lakes 1 through 4 and their tributaries the fishing season is September 1 through November 30, with a minimum size limit of 14 inches. Other lakes in the basin are open all year
- •Maximum group size is 15
- •Not recommended for stock between Lakes 1 and 2, or on the South Fork of Cottonwood Creek
- •Sequoia and Kings Canyon wilderness regulations apply if you enter the park, including no pets, a group size limit of eight to hike Mount Langley, and a three-night limit at Soldier Lakes
Gear Checklist
Required
- A bear canister - Inyo requires containers for food and trash here
- A stove, since fires are banned in the basin and above 10,400 feet
- Warm layers for camps above 11,000 feet
- Water treatment
Plan Your Trip
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Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Cottonwood Lakes
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Key Landmarks
Cottonwood Lakes Basin
Between Mount Langley and Cirque Peak, home to California's state fish.
Long Lake and High Lake
Two of the named side-trail destinations in the basin.
New Army Pass
The crossing into the southern portion of Sequoia National Park.
Mount Langley
Reached from the basin. Sequoia and Kings Canyon set a group size limit of eight to hike it.
Cottonwood Lakes FAQ
Can I climb Mount Langley on a Cottonwood Lakes permit?
Yes, and Inyo notes the permit may continue over Army Pass and onto the Pacific Crest Trail. Sequoia and Kings Canyon set a group size limit of eight to hike Mount Langley.
What are the fishing rules at Cottonwood Lakes?
Inyo states only artificial lures may be used, with a limit of two trout. Lakes 1 through 4 and their tributaries are open September 1 through November 30 with a 14-inch minimum size, and other lakes in the basin are open all year.
Is Cottonwood Lakes the same permit as Cottonwood Pass?
No. They leave from the same road but Inyo issues them as separate reservations, and the Cottonwood Pass permit states it does not go to Cottonwood Lakes.
Are campfires allowed at Cottonwood Lakes?
No. Inyo prohibits campfires in the Cottonwood Lakes Basin and above 10,400 feet.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Evening on Mount Langley's south face from Long Lake.
Best Light
Early morning across the basin, when the lakes go flat and Cirque Peak lights up.
Beat the Crowds
Most parties camp at Lakes 1 through 3. Muir Lake and the South Fork Lakes are far quieter.
Classic Shots
- 📍Golden trout in the shallows at the lake edges
- 📍Mount Langley over Cottonwood Lake 3
- 📍New Army Pass from the basin floor
Can't Get a Cottonwood Lakes Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Cottonwood Pass
Same AreaThe neighbouring trailhead onto the Pacific Crest Trail and into the Golden Trout Wilderness.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A shorter quota season of June 30 to September 15, and no Mount Langley approach.
Mount Langley via Cottonwood Lakes
Similar ExperienceThe Sequoia and Kings Canyon side of the same objective.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Framed around the summit rather than the basin.
Meysan Lake
Same AreaA steep Whitney Portal-area climb to an alpine lake below Mount Irvine.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Far harder walking and no basin, but a very quiet trailhead.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Cottonwood Lakes trip
Trip planning
Articles that plan a trip around this permit.
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