Paradise Park itinerary
Every published mile marker on the Paradise Park route, in order, with the distance and elevation change between each one — and which permit each stretch needs. To watch dates and set alerts, go to the Paradise Park Loop permit page.
Which permit covers this route
The Paradise Park. One reservation is a trailhead or zone plus an entry date; you roam after that, issued by walk-up.
- Stops mapped
- 6
- Across the markers
- 6.8 mi
- Published route length
- 13.7 mi
- Ascent, at least
- 3,440 ft
How long it takes: 1-2 days. That is the figure the permit publishes — this page does not divide the route into days, because no source records which stop you sleep at.
The stops below are the route's published mile markers, in order, with the elevations recorded against each one.
Distance and elevation change on each leg are the difference between the two published figures either side of it, so the legs are arithmetic on the markers and nothing more.
The Paradise Park route, stop by stop
Mile 0.0
2,800 ft
Forest Road 2639-021 trailhead
The start of Trail #778. A valid Recreation Pass is required from May 1 to October 31, and the Forest Service lists no water here.
1.7 miles · 754 ft up to Flat point
Mile 1.7
3,554 ft
Flat point
After a gradual climb and several switchbacks.
4.0 miles · 1,486 ft up to Zigzag Mountain Trail #775 junction
Mile 5.7
5,040 ft
Zigzag Mountain Trail #775 junction
Reached after 3.25 miles of ridgeline climbing, with views of the Zigzag Canyon along the way.
0.2 miles · 214 ft up to Pacific Crest Trail #2000 junction
Mile 5.8
5,254 ft
Pacific Crest Trail #2000 junction
0.2 mile past the Zigzag Mountain Trail junction.
0.5 miles · 506 ft up to Paradise Park Loop Trail #757
Mile 6.3
5,760 ft
Paradise Park Loop Trail #757
The old end of Trail #778, through meadows and open forest.
0.5 miles · 480 ft up to Viewpoint
Mile 6.8
6,240 ft
Viewpoint
A further half mile through alpine meadows to what the Forest Service calls a spectacular viewpoint.
Getting a Paradise Park for the dates you want
Planning the route is the easy half. Paradise Park dates go fast, and the ones that come back are cancellations — they return to the booking system without warning and are gone again quickly. PermitSnag watches Paradise Park around the clock and alerts you the moment a date opens.