Reservation6/10
Forks of the Kern
17 miles of Class V on the Wild and Recreational Kern, starting in the Golden Tr...
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First-Come, First-ServedRiver AccessModerate Demand
Tuolumne River Permit
18 miles of Class IV+ granite whitewater below Yosemite on the Main Tuolumne, plus the Class V+ Cherry Creek run above it.
“Multi-day river adventure through Sierra Rivers.”
Watch a launch date— the rest of the trip follows it
Tuolumne Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodFirst-Come, First-Served
Demand LevelModerate6/10
SeasonMay 1 - October 15
Cost$6 reservation fee, plus $2 per person
Daily Quota90 people
Max Group Size26 people
Tuolumne Permit Facts
- As of August 2026, Tuolumne in Sierra Nevada Rivers, Wild & Scenic Rivers requires a permit issued via first-come, first-served.
- The permit season for Tuolumne runs May 1 through October 15.
- The Tuolumne route covers 18 miles with rated expert.
- Cancelled Tuolumne permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Key Dates
SeasonMay 1 - October 15
Permit Details
TypeRiver Access
Booking MethodFirst-Come, First-Served
Demand Level6/10
LocationStanislaus National Forest
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
18 miles
Route Type
Point to Point
Duration
1-3 days
Difficulty
ExpertHighlights
- •18 miles of Class IV+ on the Main, or nine miles of Class V+ on Cherry Creek
- •A separate permit for each section, even if you run both on one trip
- •Steep single-lane dirt access roads to both the Meral's Pool put-in and the Wards Ferry take-out
- •Flows minimized on every other Wednesday, between 150 and 400 cfs
- •Limited cell service along the river
Best Time to Visit
The permit season runs May 1 through October 15. Flows are minimized every other Wednesday, so check the Groveland Ranger District schedule before you set a date.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Class IV+ water that the Forest Service rates Class 5 above 5,000 cfs
- !Cherry Creek at Class V+ to 6 depending on flow, with one recommended portage
- !Flows that fluctuate rapidly, every day, on the Cherry Creek section
- !Steep one-lane access roads with few turnouts
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: May 1Shoulder: Spring and Fall
Conditions
Season typically runs May 1 to October 15.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Longest days
- +Warmest temperatures
- +Reliable trail conditions
Challenges
- !Peak demand for permits
- !Book accommodations early
- !Weather varies
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand4/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill3/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Navigation3/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment4/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.
Recommended Experience
Multi-day backpacking or river experience recommended.
About This Permit
One permit covers one section. The Main Tuolumne is 18 miles of Class IV+ that the Forest Service rates Class 5 above 5,000 cfs, and it runs in one to three days from Meral's Pool to Wards Ferry. Cherry Creek is a nine-mile, one-day Class V+ run with a gradient of 110 feet per mile and a Miracle Mile that drops at over 200 feet per mile. Running both back to back is a four-day trip and needs a permit for each section.
Permits are required from May 1 to October 15 anywhere below the Holm and Kirkwood Powerhouses down to the high water mark of Don Pedro Reservoir. They open on the last Sunday in February and are allocated first-come, first-served right up to midnight the day before a launch.
The Forest Service limits non-commercial boaters to 90 people a day on the river, with 26 per group. A single person may hold no more than four launch date reservations at a time.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Tuolumne offers a multi-day journey through some of America's most remote wilderness. River permits protect both the resource and the experience, ensuring uncrowded campsites and pristine conditions.
Rules & Regulations
- •Permit required May 1 to October 15 below Holm and Kirkwood Powerhouses to the Don Pedro high water mark
- •Non-commercial boaters are limited to 90 people per day on the river
- •Group size is limited to 26
- •One permit per section, and the Main allows up to a 3-day trip
- •Permits open on the last Sunday in February and stay bookable to midnight the day before launch
- •No more than 4 launch date reservations held at one time
- •A no-show may cancel all your remaining reservations for the season
- •Coast Guard approved PFDs at all times, with spares per boat, and helmets for kayakers and everyone on Cherry Creek
- •Each boat carries a spare oar or paddle, a throw line, 20 feet of mooring line, 100 feet of spare line, a first aid kit and a repair kit
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Tuolumne
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Tuolumne FAQ
Do I need one Tuolumne River permit or two?
One per section. A permit authorizes either a single day on Cherry Creek or a trip of up to three days on the Main Tuolumne. Running both means two permits.
How many people can be on the Tuolumne River per day?
The Forest Service limits non-commercial boaters to 90 people per day on the river, with a maximum of 26 people per group.
When do Tuolumne River permits open?
On the last Sunday in February each year. They are first-come, first-served and stay bookable until midnight the day before your launch.
How hard is the Tuolumne River?
The Forest Service rates the Main Tuolumne Class IV+, and Class 5 above 5,000 cfs. Cherry Creek is Class V+ to 6 depending on flow and is described as possibly the most challenging whitewater rafting run in the nation.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
Questions
Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Canyon walls glow during sunset. Position your camp for the best evening light angles.
Best Light
Midday can work in deep canyons where direct light penetrates. Morning offers reflections on calm water.
Beat the Crowds
River trips have built-in crowd control via permits. Focus on timing with natural light.
Classic Shots
- 📍Boat perspective through rapids
- 📍Canyon wall reflections
- 📍Camp setup on river beach
- 📍Wildlife along the shore
Can't Get a Tuolumne Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
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