Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits
Permit · California ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power · Open Access
- 4,166 ft
- Elevation
Overview:
Located in California's beautiful eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Inyo National Forest offers clean air, crystal blue skies, mountain lakes and streams, challenging trails, high mountain peaks and unparalleled views. Whether you are seeking exceptional scenery, solitude, or sharing a wilderness adventure, there are many places to explore.With over 2 million acres, the forest is home to numerous natural wonders, including Mt. Whitney, Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes Basin and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, as well as nine designated wilderness areas that comprise over 800,000 acres of land. Click here for more information on planning and preparing for a wilderness trip in Inyo National Forest.
Wilderness permits are required year-round for all overnight trips into the John Muir, Ansel Adams, Golden Trout and Hoover Wilderness, as well as wilderness areas in Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite National Parks. Visitors who are day hiking in the Mount Whitney Zone are also required to have a permit. Click here for more information on wilderness permits.
During the high use season, many wilderness areas in Inyo National Forest have quotas that limit the number of people allowed to enter each day. This is to help protect the wilderness value of the area.
Because quotas are based on the number of people starting on the trail each day, everyone in your group must start on the entry date and trail listed on your permit. Your group cannot have more people than indicated by your permit.
Click here for a list of trails and quotas in Inyo National Forest.
When quotas are in effect, additional space is saved for walk-in permit requests. All unused reservation space and 40% of the quota space is available on a walk-in basis starting at 11 a.m. one day before the trip entry date.
Permit requests are high on weekends, holidays and during the months of July and August. Be prepared with ideas for alternate trails in case your first choice is full. Click Here for additional information about wilderness permits, or contact Inyo National Forest.
Getting there
None
37.35278, -118.40278 · 37°21'10.0"N 118°24'10.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 1.1 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Ways in
Showing 40 of 78.
- AA01 — Entry Point · Ansel Adams
- AA02 — Entry Point · Ansel Adams
- AA03 — Entry Point · Ansel Adams
- AA04 — Entry Point · Ansel Adams
- AA05 — Entry Point · Ansel Adams
- AA07 — Entry Point · Ansel Adams
- AA08 — Entry Point · Ansel Adams
- AA09 — Entry Point · Ansel Adams
- AA10 — Entry Point · Ansel Adams
- AA11 — Entry Point · Ansel Adams
- AA12 — Entry Point · Ansel Adams
- AA13 — Entry Point · Ansel Adams
- AA14 — Entry Point · Ansel Adams
- AA15 — Entry Point · Ansel Adams
- AA16 — Entry Point · Ansel Adams
- Aa-06-Oh — Entry Point · Owens River Headwaters
- GT60 — Entry Point · Golden Trout
- GT62 — Entry Point · Golden Trout
- GT66 — Entry Point · Golden Trout
- HH11 — Entry Point · Hoover / Inyo
- HH12 — Entry Point · Hoover / Inyo
- HH13 — Entry Point · Hoover / Inyo
- HH14 — Entry Point · Hoover / Inyo
- HT — Trailhead · Hoover / Humboldt Toiyabe NF
- JM00 — Entry Point · John Muir
- JM01 — Entry Point · John Muir
- JM02 — Entry Point · John Muir
- JM03 — Entry Point · John Muir
- JM04 — Entry Point · John Muir
- JM05 — Entry Point · John Muir
- JM06 — Entry Point · John Muir
- JM07 — Entry Point · John Muir
- JM08 — Entry Point · John Muir
- JM09 — Entry Point · John Muir
- JM10 — Entry Point · John Muir
- JM11 — Entry Point · John Muir
- JM12 — Entry Point · John Muir
- JM13 — Entry Point · John Muir
- JM14 — Entry Point · John Muir
- JM15 — Entry Point · John Muir
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits
- Can you reserve a site at Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits?
- Yes, Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits is reservable through Recreation.gov.
Camping near Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits
- Pleasant Valley Pit Campground 6.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Horton Creek Campground 9.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Four Jeffrey 10.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Forks Campground (Inyo) 11.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bishop Park Group 12.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bitterbrush Campground 9.7 mi · Campground
- Horton Creek Campground 9.8 mi · Campground
- Big Trees Campground 11.4 mi · Campground
- Four Jeffrey Campground 11.7 mi · Campground
- Grandview Campground 11.9 mi · Campground
- Intake 2 Campground 12.5 mi · Campground
- Mountain Glen Campground 12.6 mi · Campground
Contact
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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