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SEKI Wilderness Permit — Mineral King — Franklin Lakes
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks via Mineral King — Franklin Lakes.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Franklin Lakes were gone within 10 minutes.
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Franklin Lakes Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh7/10
SeasonMay 22 - September 26
CostNPS charges $15 each trip plus $5 per person within the quota season, paid on Recreation.gov permit 445857.
Daily Quota30 people
Max Group Size15 people
Franklin Lakes Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Franklin Lakes in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Franklin Lakes is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Franklin Lakes runs May 22 through September 26.
- Cancelled Franklin Lakes permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Key Dates
SeasonMay 22 - September 26
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level7/10
LocationSierra Nevada, CA
Pro Tips
- •This is the biggest quota in Mineral King, so it is the entry point to try first
- •Four miles of steep climbing before you can camp means an early start
- •Carry a stove - the fire bans cover essentially everywhere you will sleep
- •Franklin Pass is the door to the Kern, which is where the trip gets interesting
- •Ten of the 30 daily spots are not reservable and are held for walk-ups at the ranger station
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Varies
Duration
2-5 days
Difficulty
StrenuousHighlights
- •A 30-person daily quota, of which 20 are reservable, per NPS
- •Permits issued at the Mineral King Ranger Station
- •Parking at the end of the road in the upper valley or at the Sawtooth trailhead
- •First allowable camping 4 miles in at the Franklin-Farewell junction
- •Loop options over Timber Gap, Sawtooth Pass or Farewell Gap
Best Time to Visit
The quota season runs May 22 to September 26 in 2026. July through September is the reliable window for the pass. September is the quietest month before the free self-issue season starts on September 27.
Hazards & Considerations
- !A long steep climb with limited shade above the Franklin-Farewell junction
- !Afternoon thunderstorms on an exposed pass crossing
- !Snow at Franklin Pass into early summer
- !The Mineral King road, which is slow and narrow
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
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92°
70°
Sun
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83°
62°
Mon
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85°
60°
Tue
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90°
65°
Wed
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90°
65°
Thu
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89°
64°
Fri
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92°
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 a National Park Service account
Sign up at National Park Service if you don't have an account. Have 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 September
Conditions
Warm on the climb, cold at the lakes, storms most afternoons.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Largest quota in Mineral King
- +Franklin Pass clear from July
- +Loop options in three directions
Challenges
- !A long exposed climb
- !Storms at the pass
- !Fire bans across most camping elevations
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand4/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk3/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation2/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Parties heading over Franklin Pass to the Kern, or linking a Mineral King loop.
Recommended Experience
Prior multi-day backpacking and comfort with sustained climbing at altitude.
Not Recommended For
Anyone wanting a short overnight, since the first legal camp is 4 miles up a steep trail.
About This Permit
Mineral King - Franklin is a Sequoia and Kings Canyon wilderness entry point in the upper Mineral King Valley, climbing the Franklin Pass trail.
NPS publishes a 30-person daily quota for this entry point, of which 20 are reservable, making it the largest quota in Mineral King. The 2026 quota season runs May 22 to September 26, with reservations from six months to one week before entry and released daily at 7:00 AM Pacific. Outside that season permits are free, self-issued and not limited by daily quotas.
NPS puts the first allowable camping 4 miles in at the Franklin-Farewell Trail Junction, and the entry point is the standard start for loops over Sawtooth Pass, Timber Gap or Farewell Gap.
The Experience
Why It Matters
NPS describes the Franklin Pass trail as steep and strenuous with lakes and vistas, giving access to Rattlesnake Creek and the Kern Canyon, and suggests combining it with Timber Gap, Sawtooth Pass or Farewell Gap for loop options. It is the Mineral King entry that opens the whole southern Sierra behind the valley.
The Route
From the upper Mineral King Valley the trail climbs toward the Franklin-Farewell junction. NPS puts the first allowable camping 4 miles from the trailhead at that junction.
Above the lakes, Franklin Pass drops east into Rattlesnake Creek and on to the Kern Canyon, which is the connection to the High Sierra Trail and the Kern plateau. Loop options come back over Sawtooth Pass, Timber Gap or Farewell Gap.
Fire rules here are unusually detailed. NPS prohibits campfires above 9,000 feet in the Kaweah River drainage, at Pinto Lake, at Hamilton Lakes and in Mineral King Valley above the ranger station, and above 10,000 feet in the Kern River drainage. There is also no camping at Columbine Lake and a one-night camping limit at Hamilton Lake.
The Feeling
The climb up Franklin Creek is a long steady grind with the Farewell Gap wall opposite you the whole way. The lakes sit below the pass in a red-rock bowl that looks nothing like the granite everywhere else in the park.
Rules & Regulations
- •The first allowable camping is 4 miles from the trailhead at the Franklin-Farewell Trail Junction
- •No camping at Columbine Lake
- •One-night camping limit at Hamilton Lake
- •No campfires above 9,000 feet in the Kaweah River drainage, at Pinto Lake, at Hamilton Lakes, or in Mineral King Valley above the ranger station
- •No campfires above 10,000 feet in the Kern River drainage
- •Maximum group size is 15
- •Permits must be physically picked up and validated at a wilderness office
Gear Checklist
Required
- A park-allowed animal-resistant food storage container
- A stove, since fires are banned across most of the elevation you will camp at
- Water treatment
- Warm layers for camps at and above the Franklin Lakes basin
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Franklin Lakes
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
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Key Landmarks
Mineral King trailhead
Parking at the end of the road in the upper valley or at the Sawtooth trailhead.
Franklin-Farewell Trail Junction
NPS puts the first allowable camping here.
Franklin Lakes
The red-rock basin below the pass.
Franklin Pass
The crossing east toward Rattlesnake Creek and the Kern Canyon.
Franklin Lakes FAQ
How many people per day get a Mineral King Franklin permit?
NPS publishes a 30-person daily quota for the Franklin entry point, of which 20 are reservable. That is the largest quota in Mineral King.
Where is the first place I can camp on the Franklin Pass trail?
NPS puts the first allowable camping 4 miles from the trailhead at the Franklin-Farewell Trail Junction.
Where are campfires banned on the Franklin Pass trail?
NPS prohibits campfires above 9,000 feet in the Kaweah River drainage, at Pinto Lake, at Hamilton Lakes, in Mineral King Valley above the ranger station, and above 10,000 feet in the Kern River drainage.
Can I camp at Columbine Lake on a Franklin permit?
No. NPS prohibits camping at Columbine Lake, and sets a one-night camping limit at Hamilton Lake.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Evening light on the Farewell Gap wall from the Franklin Creek climb.
Best Light
Morning at Franklin Lakes, when the red rock above the basin catches first sun.
Beat the Crowds
Most parties stop at the lakes. Cross the pass and you will not see anyone until the Kern.
Classic Shots
- 📍Mineral King Valley from the switchbacks
- 📍The Franklin Lakes basin under the pass
- 📍The Kern side from the top of Franklin Pass
Can't Get a Franklin Lakes Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Mineral King - Sawtooth Pass Road
Same AreaThe Sawtooth Pass approach toward Columbine Lake and the Big Five Lakes.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A rougher, steeper crossing on a separate entry point.
Mineral King - Timber Gap
Same AreaNorth out of the valley over Timber Gap toward Cliff Creek.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A shorter pass crossing that pairs with Franklin for a loop.
Mineral King - Eagle Lake
Easier AlternativeA 3.4-mile walk to a lake basin in the same valley.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Much shorter and simpler, but a single destination rather than a route.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Franklin Lakes trip
Trip planning
Articles that plan a trip around this permit.
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