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Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley cancellations
Wilderness permit for overnight camping starting from the Happy Isles to Little ...
Yosemite Wilderness Permit — Happy Isles to Illilouette
Yosemite National Park · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for overnight camping starting from the Happy Isles to Illilouette trailhead in Yosemite National Park.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Happy Isles to Illilouette were gone within 10 minutes.
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Happy Isles to Illilouette Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh8/10
SeasonApril 24 - October 18
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.
Daily Quota5 people
Max Group Size15 people
Happy Isles to Illilouette Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Happy Isles to Illilouette in Yosemite National Park, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Happy Isles to Illilouette is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Happy Isles to Illilouette runs April 24 through October 18.
- Cancelled Happy Isles to Illilouette permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Key Dates
SeasonApril 24 - October 18
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level8/10
LocationSierra Nevada, CA
Pro Tips
- •Three lottery spots a day means you should be applying every week the moment the window opens
- •Two of the five spots are released seven days out, which is the realistic path in
- •Take the John Muir Trail up rather than the Mist Trail if you are carrying a heavy pack - it is 0.8 miles longer and much less slippery
- •Illilouette Fall at 6.6 miles is the marker: you are not legal to camp until you are past it and into the basin
- •Park at the trailhead lot past Curry Village, since there is no parking at Happy Isles itself
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Varies
Duration
1-3 nights
Difficulty
StrenuousHighlights
- •A daily quota of 5 people: 3 by lottery 24 weeks out, 2 released one week out
- •Flush toilets at the trailhead per the NPS trailhead table
- •A first day that climbs from about 4,000 feet in the Valley and cannot end short of the Illilouette basin
- •Heavy day-hiker traffic for the first three miles, then almost nobody
- •Parking at the trailhead lot beyond Curry Village, about half a mile from Happy Isles
Best Time to Visit
Valley reservations open April 24 in 2026, and spring is when Illilouette Fall is at its best. Summer is hot on the climb out of the Valley. Late September gives you cool climbing weather and a basin that is essentially empty.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Wet granite steps on the Mist Trail, the single most common injury spot on this climb
- !Over 2,000 feet of gain on day one with a full pack, in Valley heat
- !Afternoon thunderstorms on the exposed Panorama Cliff traverse
- !Bears throughout the Little Yosemite Valley and Illilouette drainages
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- UV index 8. High altitude sun is intense—sunscreen and hat essential.
Today
⛅
62°
44°
Sun
⛅
57°
44°
Mon
☁️
66°
41°
Tue
☀️
66°
38°
Wed
☀️
68°
39°
Thu
☀️
71°
45°
Fri
☀️
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: June through AugustShoulder: May and late September
Conditions
Big water on the Mist Trail and Illilouette Fall. Snow can linger in the upper basin.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Waterfalls at peak
- +Cool temperatures for the Valley climb
- +Reservations open from April 24
Challenges
- !The Mist Trail lives up to its name and soaks everything
- !Snow and high creek crossings in the upper basin
- !Slick rock on the descent
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand4/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk2/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation2/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Experienced backpackers who want Valley scenery and then genuine solitude, and who can commit to a first day that has no legal short version.
Recommended Experience
One prior trip with 2,000 feet of gain carrying a full pack.
Not Recommended For
First-time backpackers, anyone hoping to sleep at Little Yosemite Valley, and Half Dome hopefuls.
About This Permit
Happy Isles to Illilouette is one of three Happy Isles wilderness trailheads in Yosemite National Park. NPS divides the Happy Isles quota by where you intend to camp, and this one sends you over Nevada Fall and west along the Panorama Cliff into the Illilouette basin.
NPS sets the daily quota at 5 people: 3 reservable by lottery 24 weeks in advance and 2 released first-come, first-served one week in advance. It is the smallest quota of any Yosemite Valley trailhead.
The camping rules are the whole permit. You may not camp at Little Yosemite Valley on the first night, you may not camp along the Panorama Trail or at the top of Illilouette Fall, and you must reach the Illilouette basin before finding legal ground. NPS also notes this trailhead is not Half Dome eligible and cannot be used to exit Yosemite over Donohue Pass. Valley reservations run April 24 to October 18, 2026.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Happy Isles is the busiest starting point in the park, so NPS splits its quota three ways by where you intend to camp. This is the smallest of the three. NPS describes the route as following the John Muir and Mist Trails to the top of Nevada Fall and then traversing Panorama Cliff toward Illilouette Creek. You walk past the most photographed waterfalls in California and then turn away from all of it.
The Route
From the trailhead beyond Curry Village you climb the Mist or John Muir Trail past Vernal and Nevada Falls. NPS lists Nevada Fall at 2.7 miles by the Mist Trail and 3.5 by the John Muir Trail.
The Panorama traverse is where the permit becomes specific. NPS says you may not camp at Little Yosemite Valley on your first night, and that backpackers must make it to Illilouette Basin before finding allowable camping. Camping is not allowed along the Panorama Trail or at the top of Illilouette Fall either. NPS puts Illilouette Fall at 6.6 miles from Happy Isles, so the basin above it is your first legal ground.
Beyond the basin the country opens toward the Clark Range. NPS lists Mono Meadow at 9.6 miles and Ottoway Lake at 19.5, which is a genuine multi-day objective.
The Feeling
The first three miles are a stair climb through spray and crowds. Then you top out at Nevada Fall, swing west onto the Panorama Cliff, and the noise stops. By the time you drop into the Illilouette basin the only people left are the four others who got the same permit.
Rules & Regulations
- •You may not camp at Little Yosemite Valley on your first night
- •Camping is not allowed along the Panorama Trail or at the top of Illilouette Fall
- •Backpackers must reach Illilouette Basin before finding allowable camping
- •Hiking over Donohue Pass and hiking the John Muir Trail is not available for this trailhead
- •Half Dome is not available with this trailhead - it needs a separate day-use Half Dome permit
- •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
- •Camp at least 100 feet from any water source and from any trail
Gear Checklist
Required
- An allowed bear-resistant food canister
- At least two litres of water capacity for the climb, which is exposed above Vernal Fall
- Rain shell for the Mist Trail, which soaks hikers through in high water
- Water treatment
- Trowel and bags to pack out toilet paper
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Happy Isles to Illilouette
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
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Key Landmarks
Nevada Fall (top) via the Mist Trail
NPS mileage. The John Muir Trail alternative is 3.5 miles.
Illilouette Fall
NPS mileage. Camping is prohibited at the top of the fall and along the Panorama Trail.
Mono Meadow
Deeper into the basin, on the way toward the Glacier Point Road side.
Ottoway Lake
Under the Clark Range. A three-night objective from this trailhead.
Safety & Planning
Happy Isles to Illilouette FAQ
How many people per day get a Happy Isles to Illilouette permit?
NPS sets the quota at 5 people per day: 3 by lottery 24 weeks in advance and 2 first-come, first-served one week in advance. It is the smallest quota of any Yosemite Valley trailhead.
Can I camp at Little Yosemite Valley on a Happy Isles to Illilouette permit?
No. NPS states you may not camp at Little Yosemite Valley on your first night. Backpackers must reach the Illilouette Basin before finding allowable camping, and camping is also prohibited along the Panorama Trail and at the top of Illilouette Fall.
What is the difference between the three Happy Isles wilderness permits?
NPS splits the Happy Isles quota by where you camp. Happy Isles to Illilouette is for the Illilouette basin, Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley is for camping at LYV, and Happy Isles to Past LYV is the Donohue Pass eligible option for long-distance hikers.
Can I hike Half Dome on a Happy Isles to Illilouette permit?
No. NPS states Half Dome is not available with this trailhead. A separate day-use Half Dome permit is required.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
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Write the First ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Late light from the Panorama Cliff traverse looking back at Half Dome and the Merced canyon.
Best Light
Early morning at Illilouette Fall before the sun clears the rim, when the spray is still soft.
Beat the Crowds
The crowd ends at Nevada Fall. Everything past the Panorama junction is yours.
Classic Shots
- 📍Nevada Fall from the top of the Mist Trail
- 📍The Panorama Cliff traverse with Half Dome in profile
- 📍Illilouette Creek in the basin above the fall
Can't Get a Happy Isles to Illilouette Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Glacier Point to Illilouette
Similar ExperienceThe same basin, reached downhill from the Glacier Point Road instead of up from the Valley.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A quota of 30 people a day instead of 5, and you skip the 2,000-foot climb, but Glacier Point Road has to be open.
Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley
Same AreaDown the Panorama Trail to the Little Yosemite Valley backpackers campground.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Half Dome eligible and easier walking, but you are locked into the LYV campground on night one.
Ostrander (Lost Bear Meadow)
Easier AlternativeA Glacier Point Road trailhead into the lake country south of the Illilouette drainage.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Quieter and much easier to reserve at 25 people a day, without the Valley waterfall approach.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Happy Isles to Illilouette trip
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