Do I need a permit to hike Mount Whitney Day Hike?
Yes. You need a permit to hike Mount Whitney Day Hike in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, and it is awarded by lottery rather than first come, first served. The permit is the Mount Whitney Day Hike Permit.
Lottery permit
What the Mount Whitney Day Hike permit costs and covers
- Fee
- $15
- Group size limit
- 15 people
- Issued per day
- 100 people
- Applications open
- February 1
- Applications close
- March 1
- Results
- March 15
- Season starts
- May 1
- Season ends
- November 1
What the rules require
- Permit required year-round for all Whitney Zone entry (beyond Lone Pine Lake)
- WAG bag required—all human waste must be packed out
- Bear-resistant food storage required for overnight trips
- Group size limited to 15 people
- Dogs prohibited on Whitney Trail
- No campfires permitted in the Whitney Zone
Published rules for the Mount Whitney Day Hike Permit, quoted as written.
“Submit only one application to the lottery.”
Read August 20, 2026 on the USDA Forest Service, Inyo National Forest permit page
Published under the heading "Lottery Terms".
Getting one
Lottery winners cancel and miss payment deadlines, and those dates go back into the booking system through the season. PermitSnag watches Mount Whitney Day Hike Permit and sends you an alert the moment one reappears.
Common questions about the Mount Whitney Day Hike permit
Do I need a permit to hike Mount Whitney Day Hike?
Yes. You need a permit to hike Mount Whitney Day Hike in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, and it is awarded by lottery rather than first come, first served. The permit is the Mount Whitney Day Hike Permit.
How much does a Mount Whitney Day Hike permit cost?
$15.
When can I apply for a Mount Whitney Day Hike permit?
The application window opens February 1. It closes March 1. Results: March 15.
How many people can be on one Mount Whitney Day Hike permit?
15 people.
When is the Mount Whitney Day Hike permit season?
Season starts: May 1. Season ends: November 1.
What if I lose the Mount Whitney Day Hike lottery?
Lottery winners cancel and miss payment deadlines, and those dates return to the booking system through the season. PermitSnag watches Mount Whitney Day Hike Permit for those cancellations and sends an alert when one appears.