Group Permit For Free

In 2022, a record number of 26,767 applications were submitted for the Mt. Whitney permit lottery, and only 29% of those were successful in receiving a permit for either their first choice date or an alternate date.

Reserving a wilderness permit costs $6 per permit, plus the following per person fee: $15 / person if entering Mt. Whitney Zone (includes Mt. Whitney, North Fork of Lone Pine Creek, and Trail Crest Exit).

Implemented in 2021 because of years of overuse and fears of loving the area to death, overnight use through Oregon's pristine Central Cascades now requires an overnight permit ($6). Day-hikers also need a permit on 19 of 79 trailheads within the area ($1).

Whitney without a Permit? A permit is required all year round to day hike and overnight camp to the summit of Mount Whitney. Quota season is in place from May 1 ? Nov 1 and you can get your permits through the Mt. Whitney Lotto.

Getting a permit for the Mount Whitney Trail is hard, and the whole process is highly competitive. From May 1st to November 1st, which is the peak season to climb Mt. Whitney, permits for the Mount Whitney Trail are restricted to 100 day hikers and 60 backpackers per day.

No Walk up Permits Permits for Mt Whitney Day Use and Mt Whitney Trail Overnight are by reservation only. Space from cancelations return to the website and can be booked as late as the day of the trip. Note: You must start on the entry date specified on the permit.

Day users can obtain a free, self-issue, wilderness permit at the trailhead. During the quota season (May 15 through October 31), overnight users must obtain a permit through recreation.gov or the Wenatchee River Ranger Station daily lottery. Permits are $5.00/person/day.