Yosemite Wilderness Permit — Deer Camp
Yosemite National Park · California
Wilderness permit for overnight camping starting from the Deer Camp trailhead in Yosemite National Park.
Get an alert when Deer Camp opens on your dates.
When it opens
- 24 weeks
- Lottery opens 24 weeks before your entry date, at 12:01 am Pacific60% of the quotaYou apply on Recreation.gov.
- 22 weeks
- First come, first served from 22 weeks before your entry date, at 9 am PacificYou book on the agency's site.
- 1 week
- First come, first served from seven days before your entry date, at 7 am Pacific, until three days before40% of the quotaYou book on Recreation.gov.
Source: recreation.gov, nps.gov
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Deer Camp were gone within 30 minutes.
Deer Camp reservation dates
We alert you to cancellations and the 7 am release. Your start day also sets your lottery week.
October 2026
- Your start date
- Same lottery week: one application covers all 7 days
- Outside the Wawona and Glacier Point Road reservation season (May 16 to Oct 14)
YOUR START
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Your lottery week is the October 11 to 18 lottery. It opens 178 days before you start.
1 · APPLY
Sun, Apr 19, 2026 to Sat, Apr 25
Opens Sunday 12:01 am, closes Saturday 11:59 pm Pacific. Up to eight options on one application.
Passed for this start
2 · RESULTS, THEN ACCEPT
Mon, Apr 27
Results by 5 pm. Accept by Thu, Apr 30, 11:59 pm.
Passed for this start
3 · YOUR 7-DAY RELEASE
Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 7:00 am PDT
The other 40% of the day's quota, first-come, first-served on Recreation.gov. Be logged in before 7.
Passed for this start
YOUR TIMELINE · LOTTERY WEEK, THEN THE LAST WEEK BEFORE YOU START
- SUN 12:01 AM · OPENSSun, Apr 19, 2026Applications open
- SAT 11:59 PM · CLOSESSat, Apr 25Applications close
- MON BY 5 PMMon, Apr 27Results
- THU 11:59 PMThu, Apr 30Accept by
- FRI 9 AMFri, May 1Leftovers go first-come
- 23 WEEKSCancellations any day. We alert you.
- 7 DAYS OUT · 7 AM PDTWed, Oct 7, 2026The other 40% open
- LAST DAY TO RESERVESun, Oct 11Three days before you start
- YOU STARTWed, Oct 14, 2026Deer Camp
Source: National Park Service, Yosemite wilderness permit reservation window, 2026 table, and the wilderness permit FAQ. Times are Pacific.
Deer Camp daily quota
25 people a day. 15 by lottery, 10 seven days out.
Counted in people, not permits
Lottery, 24 weeks out
60% of the day
15
7 days out, 7 am PDT
40% of the day
10
NPS trailheads table: Deer Camp | 15 | 10 | No
- max group size
- 15people
How to get a Deer Camp permit
As of October 2026, Deer Camp in Yosemite National Park, California requires a permit issued via reservation. Deer Camp rates 5/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Canceled Deer Camp permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens.
- Type
- Overnight
- Location
- CA
Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
More on Deer Camp: Live availability activityWhen Deer Camp permits open up
Guides: Deer Camp permit guideWestfall Meadow permit guideBridalveil Creek permit guide
When to hike Deer Camp
Weather Forecast
Trailhead
Backcountry Tips
- Day 6: 68% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
Today
76°
50°
Wed
72°
51°
Thu
71°
56°
Fri
68°
56°
Sat
72°
53°
53%
Sun
65°
56°
68%
Mon
77°
57°
Deer Camp rules, gear and safety
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Deer Camp.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Deer Camp · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Deer Camp FAQ
How do I get a Deer Camp permit?
PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Deer Camp cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Deer Camp permits use a reservation system.
When is the best time to visit Deer Camp?
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Deer Camp permit?
This permit has a demand score of 5/10, making it moderately competitive.
What if I can't get a Deer Camp permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.
Deer Camp trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions(1)
Questions
No questions yet
Be the first to ask about Deer Camp.
Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a Deer Camp permit
Where to stay near Deer Camp
- Bridalveil Creek CampgroundYosemite National Park
- Wawona CampgroundYosemite National Park
- Tamarack Flat CampgroundYosemite National Park
- All California campgrounds
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