Reservation5/10
Inyo NF Lundy Canyon permit
Wilderness permit for entry via Lundy Canyon in Inyo National Forest. Access to ...
Inyo NF Wilderness Permit — Little Lakes Valley
Inyo National Forest · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for entry via Little Lakes Valley in Inyo National Forest. Access to John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Little Lakes Valley were gone within 5 minutes.
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Little Lakes Valley 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
Little Lakes Valley Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Little Lakes Valley in Inyo National Forest, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Little Lakes Valley is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Little Lakes Valley runs May 1 through November 1.
- Cancelled Little Lakes Valley 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
- •Use the 10 trailhead walk-in sites the night before - it is the cheapest acclimatization there is
- •Arrive very early for parking, because Mosquito Flat is small and popular
- •Carry a stove, since fires are banned the length of the valley
- •Do not plan a Pine Creek exit, which has been impassable since the rock slide
- •Camp at the upper lakes if you want quiet, since day hikers turn around low
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
1-3 days
Difficulty
EasyHighlights
- •Nearly flat walking on a valley floor above 10,000 feet
- •A chain of glacially carved lakes under Bear Creek Spire, Mt Dade, Mt. Abbot and Mt. Mills
- •Ten walk-in sites at the trailhead where permit holders may camp the night before
- •No Ruby Lake or Mono Pass on this permit
- •No through route to Pine Creek
Best Time to Visit
The quota season runs May 1 to November 1, and the Rock Creek road governs early access. July through September is the reliable window, with wildflowers at their best in July.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Altitude, which is the one real risk on an otherwise gentle trail
- !Afternoon thunderstorms over an open valley
- !Cold nights year-round
- !Snow lingering at the head of the valley into early summer
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
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Backcountry Tips
- Today: Extreme heat (95°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
Today
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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 and AugustShoulder: Late June and late September
Conditions
Wildflowers in July, warm days, cold nights, afternoon storms.
Crowd Level
ExtremeAdvantages
- +Easiest alpine backpacking on the east side
- +Wildflowers through the valley
- +Trailhead camping the night before
Challenges
- !Extremely popular with day hikers and anglers
- !Small trailhead parking area
- !Storm exposure in an open valley
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand2/5
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
Commitment2/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
First-time backpackers, families and anglers, and anyone acclimatizing before a harder Sierra trip.
Recommended Experience
None beyond carrying a pack. The altitude is the only demand.
Not Recommended For
Parties wanting a through-hike, since there is no exit to Pine Creek.
About This Permit
Little Lakes Valley is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point at Mosquito Flat in Rock Creek canyon, one of the highest road-accessible trailheads in the Sierra.
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 allows backpackers starting on this trail to camp at the trailhead the night before their trip, at 10 walk-in sites. The permit does not include Ruby Lake or Mono Pass, and there is no exit to Pine Creek because the old mine road is impassable after a rock slide.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Inyo National Forest calls this an easy hike to a beautiful chain of lakes, popular for fishing, day hikes and beginning backpackers. Glaciers carved the chain, and the valley is framed by the 13,000-foot peaks of Bear Creek Spire, Mt Dade, Mt. Abbot and Mt. Mills. Nowhere else on the east side gives that much alpine scenery for that little climbing.
The Route
The trail runs south from Mosquito Flat up the valley past the lake chain toward Morgan Pass. Inyo notes evidence of historical mining equipment along the way, along with an old road bed at Morgan Pass.
One useful piece of logistics from Inyo: backpackers starting on this trail are allowed to camp at the trailhead the night before their trip, at 10 walk-in sites. At this elevation that is a real acclimatization advantage.
Two boundaries to know. The Little Lakes Valley trail does not include Ruby Lake or Mono Pass, which are separate reservations, and Inyo states the old mine road between Morgan Lakes and Pine Creek is not passable after a massive rock slide caused significant irreparable damage. There is no exit to Pine Creek.
The Feeling
You step out of the car at over 10,000 feet and walk a valley floor with lakes in a row and big serious peaks at the far end. There is old mining equipment along the way and an abandoned road bed at Morgan Pass, and the whole thing feels bigger than the effort it takes.
Rules & Regulations
- •No campfires anywhere in this valley
- •Bear containers are required for storage of food and trash
- •This permit does not include Ruby Lake or Mono Pass
- •There is no exit to Pine Creek - the old mine road is not passable after a major rock slide
- •Maximum group size is 15
- •John Muir Wilderness regulations apply
Gear Checklist
Required
- A bear canister - Inyo requires containers for food and trash here
- A stove, since campfires are banned throughout the valley
- Warm layers, because camp is above 10,000 feet even on the easiest night
- Water treatment
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Little Lakes Valley
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
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Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
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Key Landmarks
Mosquito Flat trailhead
Ten walk-in sites where backpackers may camp the night before their trip.
The lake chain
Glacially carved lakes running up the valley floor.
Morgan Pass
Old mining road bed at the head of the valley. No through exit to Pine Creek.
Little Lakes Valley FAQ
Can I camp at the Little Lakes Valley trailhead the night before?
Yes. Inyo states backpackers starting on this trail are allowed to camp at the trailhead the night before their trip, at 10 walk-in sites.
Does a Little Lakes Valley permit include Mono Pass or Ruby Lake?
No. Inyo states the Little Lakes Valley trail does not include Ruby Lake or Mono Pass. Those are separate reservations.
Can I hike from Little Lakes Valley out to Pine Creek?
No. Inyo states the old mine road between Morgan Lakes and Pine Creek is not passable after a massive rock slide caused significant irreparable damage, and there is no exit to Pine Creek.
Are campfires allowed in Little Lakes Valley?
No. Inyo prohibits campfires anywhere in this valley.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
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Questions
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Trip Reports
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Write the First ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
First light on Bear Creek Spire from the lower lakes, when the valley is still.
Best Light
Evening at the upper lakes, with Mt. Abbot and Mt. Mills catching last sun.
Beat the Crowds
Day hikers fill the first two lakes. Walk to the upper end of the valley and the numbers drop sharply.
Classic Shots
- 📍The lake chain in a row with the 13,000-foot peaks behind
- 📍Old mining equipment along the trail
- 📍Morgan Pass and the abandoned road bed
Can't Get a Little Lakes Valley Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Mono Pass (Rock Creek)
Same AreaThe climb west out of the same trailhead area over Mono Pass toward Pioneer Basin.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A real climb and a separate reservation, but far fewer people.
Hilton Lakes
Same AreaA quieter Rock Creek-area basin north of Little Lakes Valley.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Much less traffic, with more climbing to reach the lakes.
Treasure Lakes - South Lake
Similar ExperienceA short trip to a quiet granite basin above Bishop.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Similar effort in a less-visited basin, without the peak wall at the end.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Little Lakes Valley trip
Trip planning
Articles that plan a trip around this permit.
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