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Wilderness permit for overnight camping starting from the Ten Lakes trailhead in...
Yosemite Wilderness Permit — Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley
Yosemite National Park · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for overnight camping starting from the Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley trailhead in Yosemite National Park.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley were gone within 5 minutes.
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Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh8/10
SeasonMay 16 - October 14
CostRecreation.gov permit 445859 lists a $10 reservation fee and a $5 per-person use fee, plus a $10 lottery registration fee for the weekly lottery. Half Dome adds $10 per person, collected when the permit is issued.
Daily Quota10 people
Max Group Size15 people
Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley runs May 16 through October 14.
- Cancelled Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Key Dates
SeasonMay 16 - October 14
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level8/10
LocationSierra Nevada, CA
Pro Tips
- •This is the low-effort way to a Half Dome basecamp: 5.2 miles downhill to LYV instead of the Mist Trail climb
- •Leave a second car in the Valley - it is 7.6 miles out that way and 5.2 back up to Glacier Point
- •Add the Half Dome permits when you book, since they are issued with the wilderness permit at $10 per person
- •Use the bear boxes at LYV rather than relying on your canister at camp
- •Check the Glacier Point Road opening before you apply for a date in May
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Point to Point
Duration
1-3 nights
Difficulty
ModerateHighlights
- •A daily quota of 10 people: 6 by lottery 24 weeks out, 4 released one week out
- •A required first night at the Little Yosemite Valley backpackers campground
- •Bear boxes and composting toilets at the LYV campground
- •Half Dome available for every person on the permit, at $10 per person
- •A vault toilet at the trailhead, with drinking water available in summer per the NPS trailhead table
- •Glacier Point Road closed in winter, typically opening in mid May
Best Time to Visit
The window is May 16 to October 14 in 2026, and it opens only when Glacier Point Road does. Late June through August is prime for a Half Dome trip with the cables up. September gives cooler climbing and a quieter campground.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Bears at Little Yosemite Valley, which is one of the most bear-pressured campgrounds in the park
- !The Half Dome cables, which are a serious undertaking in wet weather
- !Afternoon storms on the exposed Panorama traverse
- !A one-way trip that leaves you 7.6 miles below your car if you walk out to the Valley
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
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Backcountry Tips
- UV index 8. High altitude sun is intense—sunscreen and hat essential.
Today
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62°
44°
Sun
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57°
44°
Mon
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66°
41°
Tue
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66°
38°
Wed
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68°
39°
Thu
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71°
45°
Fri
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74°
47°
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 Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov 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.
When to Go
Peak: July and AugustShoulder: Late May and late September
Conditions
Warm and dry, with afternoon storms. Glacier Point Road open, cables up.
Crowd Level
HighAdvantages
- +Half Dome available on the permit for everyone in the party
- +Easy downhill approach to LYV
- +Long days for a Half Dome push and back
Challenges
- !Busiest campground in the Yosemite Wilderness
- !Storms make the cables genuinely dangerous
- !Only 10 permits a day
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand3/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill2/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk3/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Parties who want Half Dome from a basecamp rather than a single brutal day, and who can arrange a car at each end.
Recommended Experience
A previous overnight, plus a real head for heights if Half Dome is the goal.
Not Recommended For
Anyone hiking the John Muir Trail out of Yosemite, and anyone who wants to camp somewhere other than Little Yosemite Valley on night one.
About This Permit
Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley is a Glacier Point Road wilderness trailhead in Yosemite National Park, following the Panorama Trail down past Illilouette Fall to the Little Yosemite Valley backpackers campground.
NPS sets the daily quota at 10 people: 6 reservable by lottery 24 weeks in advance and 4 released first-come, first-served one week in advance. The trailhead is Half Dome eligible, and NPS states all members of the permit are eligible to walk up Half Dome with an additional $10 per person due when the permit is issued.
Two conditions define the trip. You must spend your first night at the established backpacker sites in Little Yosemite Valley, with no dispersed camping in the LYV area, and this trailhead is not eligible to exit Yosemite on the John Muir Trail. Reservations for the Wawona and Glacier Point Road area run May 16 to October 14, 2026.
The Experience
Why It Matters
NPS calls this route slightly longer than starting from Yosemite Valley, but an easier and very scenic hike along the Panorama Trail to Little Yosemite Valley. It is the cheat code for Half Dome backpackers: the trailhead is Half Dome eligible, every person on the permit is eligible to walk up, and you get to Little Yosemite Valley without the Mist Trail grind.
The Route
The trailhead is at Glacier Point, which means Glacier Point Road has to be open. NPS is blunt about it: the road is closed during winter and typically opens in mid May, and if you make a reservation and the road is closed, your permit is not valid and there is no refund.
NPS mileages on the Panorama Trail put Illilouette Fall at 3.6 miles and Little Yosemite Valley at 5.2. Half Dome is 9.2 miles from the trailhead and Yosemite Valley is 7.6, which is why so many parties do this as a one-way with a shuttle or a second car.
The first night is fixed. You must camp at the established backpacker sites in Little Yosemite Valley, and NPS prohibits dispersed camping in the LYV area. There are bear boxes and composting toilets at the campground, and fires are permitted only in the established communal rings.
The Feeling
You leave a parking lot with a view of Half Dome's whole face and start walking toward it. Illilouette Fall comes at 3.6 miles, then Nevada Fall from above, then the trail lets you down into the pines at Little Yosemite Valley with your legs still working.
Rules & Regulations
- •You must spend your first night at the established backpacker sites in Little Yosemite Valley
- •No dispersed camping in the Little Yosemite Valley area
- •Fires are permitted only in the established communal fire rings
- •This trailhead is not eligible to exit Yosemite on the John Muir Trail, and Donohue Pass is not available
- •Maximum group size is 15 people, or 8 for cross-country hiking more than a quarter mile off trail
- •Allowed bear-resistant food canisters are required throughout Yosemite Wilderness
- •If Glacier Point Road is closed on your date the permit is not valid and there is no refund
Gear Checklist
Required
- An allowed bear-resistant food canister - NPS says bears have obtained food from backpackers in this area
- Water treatment for the Merced
- A headlamp, since Half Dome days from LYV start before light
- Gloves for the Half Dome cables if you are going up
Plan Your Trip
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Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley
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Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
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Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
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Key Landmarks
Glacier Point
Trailhead on the Glacier Point Road, closed in winter and typically open from mid May.
Illilouette Fall
NPS mileage along the Panorama Trail. No camping at the top of the fall.
Little Yosemite Valley
Required first night. Backpacker sites, bear boxes, composting toilets, communal fire rings.
Half Dome
NPS mileage from Glacier Point. Available on this permit for every person listed, at $10 per person.
Merced Lake
The onward objective up the Merced canyon for a longer trip.
Safety & Planning
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Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley. Sign up to track this permit.
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Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit. Sign up to track this permit.
Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley FAQ
Can I hike Half Dome with a Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley permit?
Yes. NPS lists this trailhead as Half Dome eligible and says all members of the permit are eligible to walk up Half Dome. There is an additional $10 per person due when the permit is issued.
How many people per day get a Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley permit?
NPS sets the quota at 10 people per day: 6 by lottery 24 weeks in advance and 4 first-come, first-served one week in advance.
Where do I camp on the first night with a Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley permit?
At the established backpacker sites in Little Yosemite Valley. NPS prohibits dispersed camping in the LYV area, and no additional reservation is needed for the campground.
What happens if Glacier Point Road is closed on my permit date?
NPS states that if the road is closed your permit is not valid and there is no refund. The road is closed in winter and typically opens in mid May, though it can open earlier or later depending on snowpack.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
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Write the First ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Sunset from Glacier Point itself before you start walking, with Half Dome lit from the west.
Best Light
Morning on the Panorama Trail, when Nevada Fall is backlit and Liberty Cap has edge light.
Beat the Crowds
Walk the Panorama Trail in the late afternoon, after the Glacier Point tour crowd has gone and before the day hikers coming up from the Valley reach you.
Classic Shots
- 📍Half Dome's full face from the Glacier Point trailhead
- 📍Illilouette Fall from the bridge at 3.6 miles
- 📍Nevada Fall and Liberty Cap seen from above on the Panorama traverse
Can't Get a Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley
Similar ExperienceThe same campground, reached by climbing the Mist or John Muir Trail out of Yosemite Valley.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A larger quota at 25 people a day, also Half Dome eligible, but you climb about 2,000 feet on day one.
Glacier Point to Illilouette
Same AreaSame trailhead, but camping in the Illilouette basin instead of Little Yosemite Valley.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A much bigger quota at 30 people a day and real solitude, but no Half Dome.
Pohono Trail (Glacier Point)
Same AreaHeads west along the Valley's south rim from Glacier Point toward Taft Point and Dewey Point.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Rim views the whole way with far fewer people, but no waterfalls and no Half Dome.
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Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley trip
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