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Wilderness permit for overnight camping starting from the Mono/Parker Pass trail...
Yosemite Wilderness Permit — Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail
Yosemite National Park · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for overnight camping starting from the Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail trailhead in Yosemite National Park.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail were gone within 5 minutes.
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Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail 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 Quota10 people
Max Group Size15 people
Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail in Yosemite National Park, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail runs June 18 through October 14.
- Cancelled Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail 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
- •If both Young Lakes permits are open, take this one for the quieter walk
- •Park at Lembert Dome, not the wilderness center
- •Walk out through Soda Springs in the early morning for the best light of the trip
- •Four of the ten spots come out seven days ahead
- •Carry a stove, since fires are banned at the lakes
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
1-2 nights
Difficulty
ModerateHighlights
- •A daily quota of 10 people: 6 by lottery 24 weeks out, 4 released one week out
- •Parking at Lembert Dome, per NPS
- •Vault toilets at the trailhead per the NPS trailhead table
- •A flat meadow start past Soda Springs before the climb
- •Young Lakes at 6.0 miles, per NPS mileages
Best Time to Visit
Reservations run June 18 to October 14 in 2026. Mid-July through August is the reliable window, and September gives cold, empty nights at the lakes.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Afternoon storms on the exposed meadow crossing
- !Cold nights in the basin
- !Snow in the basin into early July
- !Bears in the Tuolumne parking areas
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
☀️
58°
45°
Mon
☁️
60°
44°
Tue
☀️
65°
39°
Wed
☁️
63°
35°
Thu
☁️
62°
35°
Fri
☀️
63°
35°
Sat
☁️
67°
41°
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 and forest walking, storms most afternoons.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Quieter approach than the Dog Lake route
- +Soda Springs on the way out
- +Same basin, fewer people
Challenges
- !Only 10 permits a day
- !Mosquitoes in the meadow in early summer
- !Exposed meadow crossing in storms
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
Backpackers who want the Young Lakes basin with a quieter walk in.
Recommended Experience
Comfort with a 6-mile day at altitude carrying a pack.
Not Recommended For
Parties of more than a few people, since only 10 permits a day are issued.
About This Permit
Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail is a Tuolumne Meadows wilderness trailhead in Yosemite National Park, reaching the Young Lakes basin by way of Soda Springs and the first stretch of the Glen Aulin trail.
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. That is half the Dog Lake route's quota for the same destination.
NPS asks you to park at Lembert Dome and 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 travelling through Tuolumne Meadows to Soda Springs and following the Glen Aulin trail for a short while before ascending through lodgepole forest toward Ragged Peak and Young Lakes. NPS is specific that it follows the first 1.5 miles of the Glen Aulin Trail before diverging northward.
The Route
Park at Lembert Dome. The route crosses Tuolumne Meadows to Soda Springs and joins the Glen Aulin trail for its first 1.5 miles before turning north toward Ragged Peak.
NPS puts Young Lakes at 6.0 miles by the Glen Aulin route. The basin is the same one reached from Dog Lake, but this permit carries a quota of 10 people a day instead of 20, so the approach is far quieter.
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 washing and waste to be kept 300 feet from water throughout the watershed.
The Feeling
The first stretch is flat meadow with the Tuolumne beside you and Soda Springs bubbling out of the ground. Then the trail turns north and climbs into lodgepole, and the meadow noise falls away completely.
Rules & Regulations
- •Campfires are prohibited at Young Lakes and anywhere above 9,600 feet
- •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
- •If Tioga 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
- A stove for a basin where fires are banned
- Warm layers for freezing nights at the lakes
- Water treatment
Plan Your Trip
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Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail
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Key Landmarks
Soda Springs
Naturally carbonated spring in Tuolumne Meadows, passed on the way out.
Glen Aulin trail junction
Where NPS says this route diverges north toward Young Lakes.
Young Lakes
The basin under Ragged Peak. No campfires.
Safety & Planning
Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail FAQ
How is Young Lakes via Glen Aulin different from Young Lakes via Dog Lake?
Same destination, different approach and quota. NPS says the Glen Aulin route follows the first 1.5 miles of the Glen Aulin Trail before diverging north, and it carries a quota of 10 people a day against 20 for the Dog Lake route.
Where do I park for the Young Lakes via Glen Aulin trailhead?
NPS asks Young Lakes via Glen Aulin permit holders to park at Lembert Dome.
Are campfires allowed at Young Lakes?
No. NPS prohibits campfires at Young Lakes and anywhere above 9,600 feet.
How many people per day get a Young Lakes via Glen Aulin 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.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
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Write the First ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Last light on Ragged Peak from the lower Young Lake.
Best Light
Early morning across Tuolumne Meadows on the walk out, when mist sits on the river.
Beat the Crowds
This route is already the quiet one. Push to the upper lakes and you will not see anyone.
Classic Shots
- 📍Soda Springs and the Parsons Lodge meadow
- 📍The lodgepole climb with Ragged Peak ahead
- 📍Young Lakes in flat evening water
Can't Get a Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Young Lakes via Dog Lake
Similar ExperienceThe other approach to the same basin, past Dog Lake.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Double the quota at 20 people a day, on a slightly more travelled trail.
Glen Aulin
Same AreaStay on the Glen Aulin trail instead of turning north, down to the High Sierra Camp.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Waterfalls instead of lakes, with a required first night at the camp.
Ten Lakes
Easier AlternativeA Tioga Road trailhead to a basin of ten lakes with the park's largest quota.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Forty people a day makes it far easier to book, at a longer drive from Tuolumne.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail trip
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