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Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness Permits

Wilderness Permit

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Overview

Required for overnight trips in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks wilderness (~97% of park area, 1,300+ sq mi). Trailhead-based quota system with 32 entry points across Kings Canyon (10) and Sequoia (22) districts. Permits are valid for continuous travel into adjacent Inyo NF, Sierra NF, Sequoia NF, and Yosemite wilderness. Must be picked up in person at the nearest trailhead permit station.

Bottom Line

Uses rolling FCFS (not a lottery) -- same system as Inyo. Permits release 6 months ahead at 7:00 AM Pacific daily. Popular trailheads like Rae Lakes Loop (Bubbs Creek, Woods Creek), High Sierra Trail, and Copper Creek sell out fast on release day. Cancellation alerts work well here since returned permits go back into the pool. Midweek dates are significantly easier. Walk-ups exist but are unreliable for popular trailheads -- unclaimed reservations release at 10:00 AM day-of. Off-season (late Sep -- late May) is free, self-issued, no quota.

Quotas and Reservations

Quota season roughly late May to late September (2026: May 22 -- Sep 26):

  • Reservations open 6 months ahead, released daily at 7:00 AM Pacific
  • Bookable from 6 months to 1 week before entry date
  • Entry point and entry date cannot be changed after booking -- must cancel and rebook
  • Up to 3 alternate trip leaders can pick up the permit
  • Walk-up permits available from 1:00 PM the day before entry
  • Unclaimed reservations released as walk-ups at 10:00 AM on entry day

Fees

  • $15/permit (non-refundable) + $5/person (refundable if cancelled 1+ week out)
  • Same fee for reservations and walk-ups
  • Park entrance fee required separately at all trailheads

Group Size

  • 15 people max on trail, 12 off trail (more than 0.5 mi from trail)
  • 10 max in Redwood Canyon
  • 8 max on Colony Mill Road, Don Cecil Trail, Darwin Canyon
  • 8 max off-trail in Dusy Basin, Sixty Lakes Basin, Sphinx Lakes, Wallace Creek, Whitney/Crabtree Creeks, Upper Rock Creek, Mt. Whitney, Mt. Langley
  • Affiliated groups cannot travel or camp within 0.5 mi of each other if combined size exceeds limits

Permit Pickup

  • Pick up as early as 1:00 PM the day before entry
  • Must pick up by 10:00 AM on entry day or reservation is cancelled
  • Late pickup possible if you call (559-565-3766) or email the Wilderness Office in advance
  • Photo ID required; bring confirmation letter
  • Five stations: Mineral King, Ash Mountain, Lodgepole, Kings Canyon VC, Road's End (Cedar Grove)

Bear Canisters

Required May 1 -- Oct 31 in: North Dome, Woods and Bubbs Creeks (entire Rae Lakes Loop), Dusy Basin, Pear and Emerald Lakes, Rock Creek. Elsewhere, allowed canisters, bear boxes, or counterbalance hanging.

Campfires

  • Kings Canyon: prohibited above 10,000 ft, in Granite Basin, and Redwood Canyon
  • Sequoia (Kaweah/Tule drainages): prohibited above 9,000 ft, and at Pinto Lake, Summit Lake, Hamilton Lakes, Dillonwood, Mineral King Valley
  • Sequoia (Kern drainage): prohibited above 10,000 ft
  • Additional fire restrictions may apply during high fire danger

Key Rules

  • Pets prohibited in all wilderness areas
  • Pack out all trash including toilet paper
  • Camp 25+ ft from water (100 ft preferred); established sites only within 100 ft
  • Bury waste 6+ in deep, 100+ ft from water/trails/camps
  • Permits from Inyo NF, Sierra NF, Sequoia NF, or Yosemite are valid for continuous travel through SEKI -- no SEKI permit needed if originating from those agencies

Availability