Reservation7/10
Yosemite Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail permit
Wilderness permit for overnight camping starting from the Young Lakes via Glen A...
Yosemite Wilderness Permit — Young Lakes via Dog Lake
Yosemite National Park · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for overnight camping starting from the Young Lakes via Dog Lake trailhead in Yosemite National Park.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Young Lakes via Dog Lake were gone within 5 minutes.
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Young Lakes via Dog Lake Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh7/10
SeasonJune 18 - 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.
Daily Quota20 people
Max Group Size15 people
Young Lakes via Dog Lake Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Young Lakes via Dog Lake in Yosemite National Park, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Young Lakes via Dog Lake is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Young Lakes via Dog Lake runs June 18 through October 14.
- Cancelled Young Lakes via Dog Lake permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Key Dates
SeasonJune 18 - October 14
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level7/10
LocationSierra Nevada, CA
Pro Tips
- •Six miles and a bed under Ragged Peak makes this the best single-night trip out of Tuolumne
- •The four-mile camping line rules out anything before the lakes, so plan one push
- •Carry a stove - fires are out at the lakes and above 9,600 feet
- •Eight of the twenty spots are released seven days out
- •Walk the extra half mile to the upper lakes for a camp with nobody in it
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
1-2 nights
Difficulty
ModerateHighlights
- •A daily quota of 20 people: 12 by lottery 24 weeks out, 8 released one week out
- •Vault toilets at the trailhead per the NPS trailhead table
- •Dog Lake at 1.5 miles and Young Lakes at 6.0, per NPS mileages
- •A four-trail-mile camping restriction from Tuolumne Meadows
- •Cathedral Range views for most of the climb
Best Time to Visit
Reservations run June 18 to October 14 in 2026. Mid-July through August is the reliable window. September is quieter and colder, with the Cathedral Range at its sharpest.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Afternoon thunderstorms on open meadow with no shelter
- !Cold nights at the lakes even in midsummer
- !Snow lingering in the basin into early July
- !Bears working the Tuolumne trailhead parking
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: July and AugustShoulder: Late June and late September
Conditions
Meadow walking, wildflowers early, storms in the afternoon.
Crowd Level
HighAdvantages
- +Short enough for a first Yosemite overnight
- +Cathedral Range views the whole climb
- +A quota big enough to be gettable
Challenges
- !Mosquitoes in the meadows in early summer
- !Storms over open ground
- !Cold nights at the lakes
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand3/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk2/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment2/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Parties who want one night in the Yosemite high country without a long approach.
Recommended Experience
Comfort with a 6-mile day carrying a pack, at altitude.
Not Recommended For
Anyone hoping to camp short of four trail miles, which is not allowed here.
About This Permit
Young Lakes via Dog Lake is a Tuolumne Meadows wilderness trailhead in Yosemite National Park, climbing north past Dog Lake to the Young Lakes basin under Ragged Peak.
NPS sets the daily quota at 20 people: 12 reservable by lottery 24 weeks in advance and 8 released first-come, first-served one week in advance.
Camping cannot begin until four trail miles from Tuolumne Meadows, which puts the first night at or near the lakes. NPS lists Half Dome as unavailable with this trailhead. Reservations for the Tuolumne area run June 18 to October 14, 2026.
The Experience
Why It Matters
NPS describes hikers on this trail enjoying forests and high meadows with panoramic views of the Cathedral Range, ending at the picturesque Young Lakes. It is the classic short overnight out of Tuolumne, and at 20 people a day it is a good deal easier to land than Rafferty Creek or Cathedral Lakes.
The Route
The trail begins at the Lembert Dome and Dog Lake trail before continuing north to Young Lakes. NPS puts Dog Lake at 1.5 miles, where camping is not allowed, and Young Lake at 6.0.
Camping cannot start until you are four trail miles from Tuolumne Meadows, so the lakes themselves are the realistic first night. Campfires are prohibited at Young Lakes and anywhere above 9,600 feet.
NPS notes the Tuolumne River is a water source for San Francisco and asks for Leave No Trace camping to preserve water quality, with all washing and waste kept 300 feet from water throughout the watershed.
The Feeling
You climb steadily through lodgepole and open meadow, turning around every few minutes because the view behind is better than the view ahead. The lakes sit in a shelf under Ragged Peak with the Sierra crest to the east.
Rules & Regulations
- •You must travel at least 4 trail miles from Tuolumne Meadows in order to make camp
- •Campfires are prohibited at Young Lakes and anywhere above 9,600 feet
- •No camping at Dog Lake
- •Along the Tuolumne watershed, do all washing and waste disposal 300 feet from water
- •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
- •Half Dome is not available with this trailhead
Gear Checklist
Required
- An allowed bear-resistant food canister
- A stove, since fires are out at the lakes and above 9,600 feet
- Warm layers for a basin that freezes most nights
- Water treatment
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Young Lakes via Dog Lake
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
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Key Landmarks
Dog Lake
NPS mileage. No camping here.
Young Lakes
Three lakes under Ragged Peak. No campfires.
Safety & Planning
Young Lakes via Dog Lake FAQ
How far is Young Lakes from the Dog Lake trailhead?
NPS puts Young Lake at 6.0 miles, with Dog Lake at 1.5 miles along the way.
How many people per day get a Young Lakes via Dog Lake permit?
NPS sets the quota at 20 people per day: 12 by lottery 24 weeks in advance and 8 first-come, first-served one week in advance.
Where can I camp on the Young Lakes trail?
You must travel at least four trail miles from Tuolumne Meadows before making camp, and camping is not allowed at Dog Lake. Campfires are prohibited at Young Lakes and above 9,600 feet.
Can I hike Half Dome on a Young Lakes permit?
No. NPS states Half Dome is not available with this trailhead, so it would need a separate day-use permit.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
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Write the First ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Evening on Ragged Peak from the lakeshore, with the water still.
Best Light
Morning looking back south at the Cathedral Range from the open meadow section.
Beat the Crowds
Most traffic stops at Dog Lake. The upper two Young Lakes are almost always empty.
Classic Shots
- 📍The Cathedral Range panorama from the climb
- 📍Young Lakes under Ragged Peak
- 📍Dog Lake in flat morning light
Can't Get a Young Lakes via Dog Lake Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail
Similar ExperienceThe same lakes reached by following the first 1.5 miles of the Glen Aulin trail before turning north.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A quota of only 10 people a day, and parking at Lembert Dome instead.
Glen Aulin
Same AreaDownstream along the Tuolumne to the Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp and its waterfalls.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A bigger quota at 25 people a day, with a required first night at the camp.
Mono/Parker Pass
Same AreaEast out of Tuolumne through alpine meadows toward Mono and Parker Passes.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Higher and more exposed, and you must cross into the Ansel Adams Wilderness before camping.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Young Lakes via Dog Lake trip
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