Trailhead information
Southern Terminus Monument
Primary- No restrooms
- No water
The interagency long-distance permit covering the entire 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada, for hikers walking 500 or more continuous miles. Issued directly by the Pacific Crest Trail Association on a scheduled quota-release day, not through Recreation.gov.
“2,650 miles from a monument above Campo, California to a marker in the Pasayten Wilderness on the Canadian line, one permit for the whole walk.”
Plan your Pacific Crest Trail trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Plan your trip
How to get PCT Long-distance Permit
Issued directly by the Pacific Crest Trail Association through its own online system at pcta.org on a scheduled annual release day, not through Recreation.gov; PCTA publishes no public API or availability feed for our scanner to poll.
More about Pacific Crest TrailPlanning another trip? See the permits we alert on.
PCT Long-distance reservation dates
- route distance
- 2650mi
The route, drawn as the ground falls away
PCT Long-distance Permit elevation profile
Southern Terminus Monument to Northern Terminus Monument 78A mountain hike upside down. You lose 2,775 feet to Cascade Locks / Bridge of the Gods first, then climb 4,105 feet to Northern Terminus Monument 78.
Landmark
Southern Terminus Monument
The PCT begins at a wood-and-metal monument on a hillside above Campo, California, at the US/Mexico border.
Mile 0 of 2650
0 Southern Terminus Monument2650 Northern Terminus Monument 78
- Mile
- 0
- Elevation
- 2,915 ft
PCT Long-distance Permit landmarks
How to get a PCT Long-distance permit
As of September 2026, PCT Long-distance Permit in Pacific Crest Trail, California requires a permit issued via reservation. PCT Long-distance Permit is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. The PCT Long-distance Permit route covers 2650 miles, rated strenuous.
- Type
- Thru-Hike
- Location
- Pacific Crest, California to Washington, CA
Step 1: Create an account before permits drop
Find this permit on the managing agency's booking system and set up an account with your payment info ready.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Learn more:
More on PCT Long-distance Permit: Live availability activityWhen PCT Long-distance Permit permits open upPacific Crest Trail Long-distance permit itinerary
How much a PCT Long-distance permit costs
PCT Long-distance Permit permit fee: Free.
The PCT Long-distance hike
- Distance
- 2650 miles
- Duration
- approx. 5 months for a full thru-hike (typical range 4.5-6 months)
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
2,650 miles from a monument above Campo, California to a marker in the Pasayten Wilderness on the Canadian line, one permit for the whole walk.
About this permit
You need this permit for any continuous stretch of 500 miles or more of the PCT. It is one interagency permit issued by the Pacific Crest Trail Association that stands in for the dozens of individual land-manager permits you would otherwise need along the way. It does not cover everything: Mount Whitney's summit is a day-hike exception with no extra paperwork, but camping on the John Muir Trail near Whitney or leaving the PCT corridor inside Yosemite both need their own separate permits.
The route
Northbound hikers leave the desert behind at Kennedy Meadows (South) around mile 700 and pick up bear canisters and ice gear for the Sierra, where Forester Pass is the trail's high point. From there the trail runs north through Sierra City, Dunsmuir, and Ashland into Oregon, past Crater Lake, and through Cascade Locks at the Bridge of the Gods into Washington. The last stretch runs White Pass, Snoqualmie Pass, and Stevens Pass to Stehekin, then over Hart's Pass into the Pasayten Wilderness and Monument 78 at the Canadian border.
Why it matters
The PCT Association issues this permit directly, not Recreation.gov, and it replaces the dozens of separate wilderness, national forest, and national park permits you would otherwise need for a 500-plus-mile stretch. It goes fast: apply on one of the two release days, mid-November or mid-January, for the following year.
The feeling
Southern California desert first, long dry water carries between towns like Warner Springs and Idyllwild, then the High Sierra above Kennedy Meadows with early-season snow and stream fords, then Northern California and Oregon through wildfire-smoke season, then the Cascades and Washington's passes, mosquitoes and all, to the border.
PCT Long-distance Permit hike highlights
- Register with PCTA in advance, then apply on one of two release days: mid-November and mid-January for the following year
- Northbound permits for the popular spring start window go fast
- Once issued, the permit covers travel and camping in the wilderness areas, national forests, and national parks the PCT crosses, subject to the exceptions above
How hard the PCT Long-distance hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required5/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills2/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity2/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5
Best for: Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.
Recommended experience: Should have completed 10+ mile day hikes with significant elevation gain.
Trailhead information
Northern Terminus Monument 78
Alternate- No restrooms
- No water
Notes
Reached via Hart's Pass and the Pasayten Wilderness; no road access.
When to hike PCT Long-distance
Best time to visit
Northbound thru-hikers start late March through May, to cross the desert before peak heat and reach the Sierra as the snow recedes. Southbound thru-hikers start mid-June through July, once Washington's passes clear of snow.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
🌫️
92°
64°
Sun
☁️
82°
69°
Mon
☁️
79°
56°
Tue
☀️
81°
53°
Wed
☀️
87°
58°
Thu
☀️
91°
63°
Fri
☀️
89°
73°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
PCT Long-distance rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- Bear canister for the Sierra Nevada section
- California Campfire Permit if using a stove or fire
- Water treatment for the long desert carries in Southern California
- Ice axe and microspikes for the High Sierra in early-season snow years
Rules & regulations
- 01Carry a California Campfire Permit (free, separate from the PCT permit) if you plan to use a stove or campfire anywhere outside a developed campground in California
- 02Bear canisters are required in the Sierra Nevada section run by Sequoia & Kings Canyon and Yosemite
- 03Food storage rules tighten again in parts of the Cascades
Hazards & considerations
- Long, dry water carries through the Southern California desert, some over 20 miles
- Early-season snow and stream fords in the High Sierra
- Wildfire smoke and trail closures, especially in Northern California and Oregon in late summer
- Mosquitoes in the Cascades in early summer
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for PCT Long-distance Permit.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for PCT Long-distance Permit · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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PCT Long-distance Permit FAQ
How do I get a PCT Long-distance Permit permit?
PCT Long-distance Permit is issued directly by the agency. Issued directly by the Pacific Crest Trail Association through its own online system at pcta.org on a scheduled annual release day, not through Recreation.gov; PCTA publishes no public API or availability feed for our scanner to poll. Bring backup dates and check their page for the current process.
When is the best time to visit PCT Long-distance Permit?
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the PCT Long-distance Permit permit?
This permit has a demand score of 8/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and reading the official permit page for how this one is issued.
What if I can't get a PCT Long-distance Permit permit?
The agency awards this permit directly. Bring backup dates and check the official page for the current process and any closures.
PCT Long-distance trail conditions and trip reports
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Write the First ReportAlternatives to a PCT Long-distance permit
Where to stay near PCT Long-distance Permit
- Boulder Oaks Eqst campgroundCleveland National Forest
- Corral Canyon CampgroundCleveland National Forest
- Wooded Hill Group campgroundCleveland National Forest
- All California campgrounds
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