Landmark
Mirror Lake
MI 5 · 10,667 ft
Pristine alpine lake. Camping prohibited to protect the fragile environment.
This season's lottery is done · cancellations are the way in
Mount Whitney Permit (Day Hike)
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks · California
Climb the highest peak in the contiguous United States (14,505 ft). The main Whitney Trail is highly competitive.
Get an alert when Mt. Whitney Day opens on your dates.
Yes. You need a permit to hike Mount Whitney Day Hike in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. It is the Mount Whitney Day Hike Permit, and it comes back two ways: canceled permits return to the booking system through the season, and the rest are awarded by lottery.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Mt. Whitney Day were gone within 30 minutes.
Mount Whitney Day Hike dates: cancellations and the lottery
We alert you to cancellations. The lottery runs February 1 to March 1.
- CancellationsWe alert you the moment one opens.We alert you the moment one opens.
- Apply for 2026 season Mt Whitney LotteryFeb 1–Mar 1
- Quota seasonMay 1–Nov 1
Who issues Mt. Whitney Day permits. Source: USDA Forest Service: Inyo National Forest. Read the official permit page. “February 1 - March 1 | Apply for Mt. Whitney lottery on https://www.recreation.gov/permits/445860”
- route distance, out and back
- 21.4mi
- daily quota
- 100people
- max group size
- 15people
Who issues Mt. Whitney Day permits
Source: USDA Forest Service, Inyo National Forest. Read the official permit page.
“Submit only one application to the lottery.”
Checked against the agency page on August 20, 2026.
Mount Whitney has several separate permits for different routes and trip lengths: Mt. Whitney Overnight permit, Whitney Trail Crest exit permit, and Mountaineer's Route permit.
How to get a Mount Whitney Day Hike permit
As of October 2026, Mt. Whitney Day in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, California requires a permit issued via lottery. Mt. Whitney Day is one of the most competitive permits in the United States, rating 10/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Canceled Mt. Whitney Day permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The Mt. Whitney Day lottery opens February 1 and closes March 1, with results announced March 15. The permit season for Mt. Whitney Day runs May 1 through November 1. The Mt. Whitney Day route covers 21.4 miles, rated strenuous.
- Type
- Day Use
- Location
- Sierra Nevada, CA
Step 1: Check for cancellations
Permits get canceled daily. Peak cancellation times are 24-48 hours before the trip date.
Step 2: Set up PermitSnag alerts
Get notified when cancellations happen. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.
Step 3: Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Verify your email and add payment info ahead of time.
Step 4: Apply during the lottery window
Submit your application between February 1 and March 1. Apply for multiple dates to increase your odds.
Step 5: Wait for lottery results
Results are announced March 15. Check your email and your Recreation.gov account.
Mt. Whitney Day pro tips
- Set a cancellation alert for April 22 at 7 am Pacific, when every unclaimed lottery date goes on general sale, and apply for multiple dates inside the Feb 1 to Mar 1 window
- Watch April 22, when unclaimed dates open for web reservation
- Monitor cancellations
- Consider 'Whitney-from-the-side' routes via other permits
- Submit only one application per group or household: Inyo may reject all of them otherwise
- Claim and pay by April 21 or the awarded reservation is canceled outright
- Sleep at altitude in the Lone Pine area first: Inyo's own safety message is to take time to acclimate
- Take the pack-out kit at the trailhead and use the disposal box by the restroom on the way out
More on Mt. Whitney Day: Live availability activityWhen Mt. Whitney Day permits open upChance of an openingMount Whitney Day Hike lottery datesDo I need a Mount Whitney Day Hike permit?Mt. Whitney Day lottery oddsMount Whitney lottery guide: dates and odds
Guides: Mt. Whitney Day permit guideMt. Whitney Overnight permit guideRae Lakes Loop permit guide
Mount Whitney Day Hike lottery odds
Inyo National Forest runs one Mt. Whitney lottery a year, opening February 1 and closing March 1. The Forest Service publishes no success rate for it; what it does publish is the quota, which caps the trail at 100 people per day for day use and 60 per day for overnight.
Source: Inyo National Forest — Mount Whitney · Recreation.gov Mt. Whitney lottery.
Apply these for the best odds
- Apply inside the February 1 - March 1 window. Inyo runs a single lottery each year, so there is no second draw to fall back on.
- Put April 22 on your calendar. Lottery winners must pay the per-person fee by April 21, and every unclaimed and forfeited date opens for web reservation the next day.
How much a Mount Whitney Day Hike permit costs
Mt. Whitney Day permit fee: $15.
The Mount Whitney Day Hike hike
- Distance
- 21.4 miles
- Route Type
- Out & Back
- Duration
- 12-18 hours
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Elevation Range
- 8,360 - 14,505 ft
Mt. Whitney Day elevation profile
Whitney Portal to Summit, one way
Landmark
Whitney Portal
Trailhead at 8,360 ft with store, restrooms, and campground.
Mile 0 of 10.7
0 Whitney Portal10.7 Summit
- Mile
- 0
- Elevation
- 8,360 ft
Mt. Whitney Day landmarks
Map of the Mount Whitney Day Hike, Whitney Portal to Summit
9 of 9 places in this section
Loading the map
Terrain USGS 3DEP · Water USGS NHD · Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stand atop the highest point in the contiguous United States, where on a clear day you can see over 100 miles in every direction.
About this permit
Mount Whitney (14,505 ft) is the highest summit in the contiguous United States and the most coveted peak in American hiking. The main Whitney Trail is a non-technical Class 1 hike, but its 21.4-mile round trip with 6,656 feet of elevation gain makes it one of the most strenuous day hikes in North America.
Most successful summit attempts require starting between 2-5am to reach the summit by midday and descend before afternoon thunderstorms. The trail passes through the Whitney Zone, requiring a permit year-round.
The route
The Whitney Trail begins at Whitney Portal (8,360 ft), climbing through a Jeffrey pine forest along the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek. At mile 2.8, you pass Lone Pine Lake, the boundary of the Whitney Zone, where your permit becomes mandatory.
The trail steepens through Bighorn Park to Outpost Camp at mile 3.5, a sheltered area popular with backpackers. Beyond, you traverse past the forbidden-to-camp Mirror Lake and climb to Trail Camp (12,039 ft), the last water source and highest legal campsite.
From Trail Camp, the trail attacks the headwall via the legendary 99 Switchbacks: steep, rocky zigzags that climb 1,600 feet to Trail Crest (13,645 ft), where you suddenly see the Western Sierra. The final 2 miles traverse an exposed granite ridge, passing gaps in the rock called 'The Windows' that offer vertigo-inducing views straight down. The stone summit hut appears, and then you're standing on top of the Lower 48.
Why it matters
Mount Whitney has been drawing mountaineers since Clarence King first attempted to climb it in 1871 (though he accidentally summited a nearby peak). The mountain was named for Josiah Whitney, head of the California Geological Survey. Today, it remains the most coveted summit in the Lower 48, a pilgrimage for peak baggers and a testament to human endurance.
The feeling
The pre-dawn start from Whitney Portal is disorienting: headlamps bobbing in the darkness, the trail a faint ribbon through black forest. As light seeps into the sky, you're already above timberline, trudging across granite moonscape. The infamous 99 Switchbacks seem to go on forever, but then you crest Trail Crest and see the Western Sierra spread below you like a rumpled blanket of stone and snow. The final ridge walk to the summit is surreal: you're higher than anything else for a hundred miles, the air thin and sharp, the Owens Valley impossibly far below.
Mt. Whitney Day hike highlights
- A 21.4-mile round-trip day hike with over 6,600 feet of elevation gain
- 12-18 hours of continuous hiking, typically starting between 2-5am
- High altitude: summit exceeds 14,000 feet with thin air
- The infamous 99 Switchbacks climbing the headwall to Trail Crest
- Exposed ridge walk for the final 2 miles to the summit
How hard the Mount Whitney Day Hike hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required5/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
- Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential2/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route5/5
Best for: Well-conditioned hikers experienced with high altitude and very long days. Must be comfortable with significant elevation and 12+ hours of continuous hiking.
Recommended experience: Should have experience hiking above 10,000 feet and have completed at least one 15+ mile day hike with 4,000+ feet of gain.
Not recommended for: Those without experience at high altitude, anyone with heart or respiratory conditions, or hikers who haven't completed a 15+ mile strenuous hike.
Trailhead information
Whitney Portal
Primary8,360 ft elevation
The only trailhead for the main Whitney Trail. Located at the end of Whitney Portal Road, 13 miles west of Lone Pine.
- Restrooms
- Water on site
- Moderate
Parking
Overnight parking lot fills quickly. Arrive the evening before or use the hiker shuttle from Lone Pine.
Getting There
From Lone Pine, take Whitney Portal Road west for 13 miles. Road is paved but steep and winding.
Nearest Services
Whitney Portal Store has food, gear, and showers (seasonal). Lone Pine has full services including motels, restaurants, and an excellent mountaineering store.
When to hike Mount Whitney Day Hike
Best time to visit
Mid-July through mid-September offers the most reliable conditions. June may have snow on the 99 Switchbacks requiring ice axe and crampons. Late September can see early season snow. Weekday permits are easier to obtain than weekends.
- Peak
- July-September
- Shoulder
- Late June and October
Spring
Quota season opens May 1, but the mountain is still under snow. NPS states that ice axes and crampons are needed in spring and early summer.
Crowd level · low
- Advantage: Fewer people on the trail and in Lone Pine
- Advantage: Firm snow travel for parties equipped for it
- Challenge: Winter mountaineering skills and equipment required
- Challenge: Snow on the switchbacks and at Trail Crest
- Challenge: Severe cold and wind at 14,505 feet
Summer
Inyo National Forest says the trail is usually snow-free from July to late September, and NPS puts the non-technical window at mid-July to early October. Every one of the 100 daily day-use permits is in use.
Crowd level · extreme
- Advantage: Non-technical conditions on the main trail
- Advantage: Longest daylight for a 12 to 14 hour day
- Advantage: Water at the camps below Trail Crest is snowmelt-fed and unreliable late in the season, so plan to carry and treat
- Challenge: Afternoon thunderstorms on a completely exposed mountain
- Challenge: Full quota in use every day
- Challenge: Heat on the lower trail and freezing wind at the crest in the same outing
Fall
The most stable air of the year, running to the November 1 close of quota season.
Crowd level · moderate
- Advantage: Clear, settled weather
- Advantage: Thinner crowds after Labor Day
- Advantage: Better odds on canceled and unclaimed dates
- Challenge: Short days for a 22-mile round trip
- Challenge: Early snow can end the non-technical window with no notice
- Challenge: Severe cold on the summit plateau
Winter
From November 2 to April 30 the Whitney Zone is out of quota season: permits are unlimited and bookable up to two weeks in advance. The route itself is a winter climb.
Crowd level · low
- Advantage: No lottery and no quota
- Advantage: Reserve as late as two weeks out
- Advantage: Solitude on the mountain
- Challenge: Full winter mountaineering conditions
- Challenge: A permit is still required year-round
- Challenge: Ice and avalanche hazard on the switchbacks
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (8,360 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- Today: Expect 22°F colder at summit. Layer up.
- Tomorrow: Expect 22°F colder at summit. Layer up.
- Day 3: Expect 22°F colder at summit. Layer up.
Today
☁️
23°
14°
Thu
☁️
22°
11°
Fri
❄️
20°
10°
Sat
❄️
23°
10°
74%
Sun
☁️
27°
14°
74%
Mon
☁️
35°
17°
Tue
☁️
38°
20°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
Mt. Whitney Day photography guide
Golden Hour
Summit sunrise is extraordinary. Arrive before dawn for views of the shadow of Whitney stretching across the Owens Valley.
Best Light
Early morning light on the eastern face from the Alabama Hills is the classic roadside shot. For summit photography, pre-dawn to early morning offers the best visibility before afternoon haze.
Beat the Crowds
Start at 2-3am to reach the summit for sunrise and have the top to yourself. Most hikers arrive between 10am-2pm.
Classic Shots
- Summit sunrise with shadow of Whitney extending across the valley
- The Windows gap with Guitar Lake far below
- Trail Camp with the headwall and switchbacks above
- Summit hut with the John Muir plaque
- Evening alpenglow from Alabama Hills
Mount Whitney Day Hike rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- WAG bag (human waste bag) for packing out waste
- Headlamp with extra batteries (pre-dawn start essential)
- Minimum 4 liters of water
- Warm layers (temperatures can be 40°F colder at summit than trailhead)
- Rain/wind jacket
Recommended gear
- Trekking poles (invaluable for the rocky trail and 99 Switchbacks)
- Sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses (intense UV at altitude)
- High-calorie snacks and electrolyte replacement
- Altitude medication (Diamox) if prone to altitude sickness
- Emergency bivy/space blanket
Rules & regulations
- 01Permit required year-round for all Whitney Zone entry (beyond Lone Pine Lake)
- 02WAG bag required: all human waste must be packed out
- 03Bear-resistant food storage required for overnight trips
- 04Group size limited to 15 people
- 05Dogs prohibited on Whitney Trail
- 06No campfires permitted in the Whitney Zone
Hazards & considerations
- Acute altitude sickness: acclimatize in Lone Pine area before attempting
- Lightning: the summit is extremely exposed; descend immediately if storms approach
- Hypothermia: conditions can change rapidly; be prepared for cold and wind
- Rock fall: stay alert, especially on the switchbacks
- Navigation in dark: many hikers get off trail in the pre-dawn hours
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Mt. Whitney Day.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Mt. Whitney Day · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Mt. Whitney Day FAQ
Do you need a permit to hike Mount Whitney?
Yes, year-round, and for day hikers too. NPS is explicit: "All hikers entering the Mt. Whitney zone, including day-hikers, are required to obtain a permit." Which agency you apply to depends on where you start. From Whitney Portal on the east side you apply to Inyo National Forest; approach from the west across the Sierra and you apply to Sequoia & Kings Canyon.
How many Mount Whitney day hike permits are there per day?
100 people per entry day for Mt. Whitney Zone day use, per Inyo National Forest, with a separate quota of 60 per day for overnight Mt Whitney Trail permits. Children count toward group size, quota and fees. There is no age exemption. Maximum group size is 15, applied year-round including day use.
When do you apply for the Mount Whitney lottery?
February 1 through March 1 for the following season. Results post to your Recreation.gov account March 15, awarded reservations must be claimed and paid by April 21, and everything unclaimed goes on general sale at 7 am Pacific on April 22. Submit only one application per group or household or Inyo may reject all of them.
How long is the Mount Whitney trail?
NPS gives it as "a 10.7 mile (17.1 km) trail from Whitney Portal," with the trailhead at 8,360 feet and the summit at 14,505 feet. Inyo describes the round trip as 22 miles gaining over 6,200 feet, and says to expect 12 to 14 hours to the summit and back.
What are the odds of getting a Mount Whitney permit?
The daily quota is 100 people for day use and 60 for the overnight trail. The most actionable date in the calendar is April 22 at 7 am Pacific, when every unclaimed lottery date is released to everyone.
How much does a Mount Whitney permit cost?
$6 as a non-refundable reservation fee per permit, plus $15 per person for any trip entering the Whitney Zone. Inyo does not refund Mt. Whitney permits at all (no rain checks, no credits) and gives no discounts for age, military service, seniors or children. Interagency passes are not accepted for wilderness permits.
Do you have to pack out human waste on Mount Whitney?
Yes. There are no restrooms along the trail, and Inyo states that "all Mt. Whitney hikers are expected to pack-out their poop." Pack-out kits are provided at the trailhead and at the visitor center, and there is a disposal box near the restroom at Whitney Portal.
Where does the Mount Whitney trail enter Sequoia National Park?
At Trail Crest, 13,600 feet, roughly two miles from the summit. Park rules apply from there: pets are prohibited, no camping in the Mt. Whitney shelter, and off-trail parties on Mt. Whitney are capped at 8 people rather than 15. The summit itself sits on the boundary between Sequoia National Park and Inyo National Forest.
What is the elevation of Mount Whitney?
NPS gives the summit as 14,505 feet (4,421 meters). Inyo National Forest says the trail starts at Whitney Portal at 8,300 feet and gains over 6,200 feet to the summit.
Where is Mount Whitney?
In California, on the east side of the Sierra Nevada. NPS says Mt. Whitney lies on the boundary of Sequoia National Park and Inyo National Forest, and the Interagency Visitor Center is just south of the town of Lone Pine.
How long is the Mount Whitney hike?
NPS calls the shortest and most popular route "a 10.7 mile (17.1 km) trail from Whitney Portal." Every hiker in the Mt. Whitney zone needs a permit, day hikers included.
Mount Whitney Day Hike trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions(2)
Questions(4)
How do unclaimed Mt. Whitney Zone day use permits come back after the lottery?
0 votes·1 answer·Apr 22
How fit do you need to be for a Mt. Whitney day hike permit date?
0 votes·1 answer·Apr 8
Where does the Whitney Zone start, and when do you actually need the day use permit?
0 votes·1 answer·Mar 10
Alternatives to a Mount Whitney Day Hike permit
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Mountaineer's Route
A shorter (12 miles RT) but more technical Class 3 route up the North Fork. Involves exposed scrambling and route-finding.
Tradeoffs
Same permit system, but route is more dangerous and requires mountaineering experience. Not recommended for hiking-only visitors.
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Mount Whitney from Shepherd Pass
A multi-day approach from the west via Shepherd Pass, summiting Whitney as part of a longer backpacking trip.
Tradeoffs
Much easier to get a permit (Inyo NF general wilderness permit), but requires 3-4 days and significant mileage.
- Easier AlternativePermit required
Mount Langley
California's 9th highest peak at 14,042 feet, climbed via Cottonwood Lakes. Similar elevation with far fewer crowds.
Tradeoffs
A 'fourteener' without the Whitney crowds, but lacks the prestige of climbing the highest point.
Where to stay near Mt. Whitney Day
- Whitney Portal campgroundInyo National Forest
- Lone Pine campgroundInyo National Forest
- Tuttle Creek CampgroundAlabama Hills
- All California campgrounds
Trip planning
Articles that plan a trip around this permit.
- Best Backpacking in Sequoia & Kings CanyonNine backpacking trips in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, the wilderness permit each one needs, the daily quota that governs it, and the season it sells in.
- How Wilderness Permits Are BookedSix ways a US wilderness permit is actually sold, from a single dated entry to a river launch to a night-by-night itinerary, and why the difference matters.
- Cancellation Hunting: A Complete GuideEverything you need to know about finding and booking canceled permits. When to look, what to watch for, and how to act fast.
- How to Win Permit Lotteries: Real StrategiesStrategies for improving your permit lottery odds: timing, flexibility, and the techniques that actually work, drawn from thousands of lottery results.
- JMT vs PCT Permits ComparedPlanning a long Sierra hike? John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail permit systems, quotas and strategies compared, and which route suits you better.
Plan the full trip, not just the permit
Build your full itinerary start to finish
Add your dates and get a day-by-day plan: what needs a permit, what gear to bring, and one link to share with your whole group to coordinate every step.
Plan a trip here
No permit needed to start
Two ways to land it
Track cancellations or run a lottery pool
Core feature
Fast Lane tracking
We check Mt. Whitney Day for cancellations 24/7 and alert you when a spot opens so you can book before it's gone.
Set a free cancellation alertPro or $19 alert
Lottery pool
Apply with a crew. Each person multiplies your combined odds (solo ~100 people/day, no published rate). We coordinate invites, deadlines, and outcomes.
See plans to start a poolMost crews do both: get alerts for cancellations, and pool for the lottery.
Lottery concierge
Your next shot at Mt. Whitney Day
Missed the draw or skipped it? Set an alert and we tell you the moment a Mt. Whitney Day cancellation opens. We remind you about the lottery dates too.
Better odds with a crew
Mt. Whitney Day permits are drawn by lottery. Every friend who applies adds another entry, so a crew gets more shots at the same permit than any one of you alone.
One of you runs the pool (Pro or a $19 alert). Everyone else joins free.
Know the moment you win
Auto win-detection tells you the moment your Mt. Whitney Day application wins, so you never have to check Recreation.gov. It reads the result email you forward us, so it takes a one-time setup in your inbox (about two minutes, and we walk you through it). Auto win-detection is on Pro or a $19 permit alert.
Turn on auto win-detectionApply now on Recreation.gov
Opens the official lottery. You submit your entry. We never automate or store your Recreation.gov login.
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