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Yosemite Wilderness Permit — May Lake to Snow Creek permit area in Yosemite National Park - backcountry hiking destination

Yosemite Wilderness Permit — May Lake to Snow Creek

Yosemite National Park · California

Each entry point carries its own quota

Wilderness permit for overnight camping starting from the May Lake to Snow Creek trailhead in Yosemite National Park.

Watch your May Lake to Snow Creek dates

A May Lake to Snow Creek permit is booked by the day you start. Tell us every date you'd go and we'll ping you the second one of them opens up.

Leave the second date blank if only one day works. A wider window catches more openings.

Party

70% of the openings our scanner caught on May Lake to Snow Creek were gone within 10 minutes.

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.

Start a plan — it's free

No permit needed to start

May Lake to Snow Creek Quick Facts

Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelModerate6/10

Key Information

Permit Details

TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level6/10
LocationCA

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.

Safety & Planning

🚨

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for May Lake to Snow Creek. Sign up to track this permit.

🐻

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit. Sign up to track this permit.

May Lake to Snow Creek FAQ

How do I get a May Lake to Snow Creek permit?

May Lake to Snow Creek permits use a reservation system. PermitSnag sends lottery open, deadline, and results reminders; you can also enable cancellation alerts if spots open later.

When is the best time to visit May Lake to Snow Creek?

Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.

How competitive is the May Lake to Snow Creek permit?

This permit has a demand score of 6/10, making it moderately competitive.

What if I can't get a May Lake to Snow Creek 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 about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.

👥Community

Trail Conditions

No active conditions reported

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Questions

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Trip Reports

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