My no-fail strategy for landing a John Muir Trail permit

I’ve tackled the John Muir Trail twice—first in 2022 when I hiked half of it, and then in 2024, when I completed the whole trail heading southbound. Both times, I had no trouble snagging that coveted permit from Happy Isles to Mount Whitney. So, how did I pull off this feat so easily? Here are six ways to secure the JMT permit you’re after.

Enter the lottery

Jumping into the Yosemite lottery is a smart move. It’s pretty cheap and lets you choose the exact dates and entry points you want. Sure, the odds might not be in your favor, but you could be one of the lucky ones who gets picked for a permit. If you don’t get selected, don’t worry—there are other ways to secure a permit.

Yosemite wilderness permit

First come, first serve permit six months ahead

If you miss out on the lottery, you can still grab a permit when recreation.gov releases the ones that weren’t claimed. This happens 22 weeks before your desired date for Yosemite and six months for Inyo National Forest. Make sure to log into your recreation.gov account, head to the permit page, and be ready to refresh right when they drop at 7 AM PST. Click on the available permits as quickly as you can. Once you snag one, you’ve got 15 minutes to check out. If you fail on your first try, keep at it for about 20 minutes—sometimes, people grab permits but don’t complete the checkout in time.

Campnab permit scan

Snag a canceled permit using Campnab

This has been my most effective method. People change their plans and routinely release their permits. You can check the permit page manually, but that can be hit-or-miss. A more efficient way is to use a service like Campnab. It has a monthly fee, but the investment is so worth it.

Campnab constantly scans for new permits and will text or email you when one pops up. I used it for my 2024 permit and received 17 alerts! Using Campnab, I’ve managed to get every permit I wanted. It’s my top recommendation for anyone looking to secure a permit. Just be ready to act fast when you get that alert!

Get your permit about a week or two before your trip

This method is a bit risky, but it can really pay off. I used it to grab a last-minute permit for a friend who wanted to join me on the JMT. I already had a Lyell Canyon entry for her, but I was aiming for a Happy Isles one so we could kick things off together. I was online right when the permits dropped (one week ahead for Yosemite and two weeks for Inyo). There were several Happy Isles entries up for grabs, plus plenty for Lyell Canyon. They didn’t vanish immediately either; some were still available 15 to 20 minutes after they were released.

Walk-Up Permits

If you’re in a pinch, you can head to Yosemite on the day you plan to start and try your luck at securing a walk-up permit. During my visit in 2022, I noticed a few walk-up permits available for those willing to set out from Happy Isles that same day.

Explore an Alternative Route

If waiting for a Happy Isles permit isn’t an option, consider combining two permits that start outside of Yosemite. One of my favorite alternatives begins in Mammoth Lakes, a fantastic trail town brimming with amenities and numerous trailheads that link to the John Muir Trail. Bishop is another quaint trail town situated near the center of the John Muir Trail, with two convenient access points: Piute Pass and Bishop Pass.

On the first segment of your hike, you’ll begin in Mammoth or Bishop and trek to Happy Isles. You can spend the night at the backpacker’s campground in Yosemite Village. The following day, catch a YARTS bus back to your starting town and utilize the local bus system or private shuttles to reach your next trailhead. From there, you’ll head south, exiting via the Whitney Trail Crest.

Mammoth and its nearby areas offer various trails that lead to the JMT, including the River Trail, High Trail, Shadow Creek, Duck Pass, McGee Pass, or Red Cones. Additionally, the John Muir Trail can be accessed directly to the north and south of Devils Postpile National Monument, which is just a quick bus ride from Mammoth.

 You’ll need two permits—one for the hike north to Yosemite and another for the trek south to Whitney. While this strategy adds some extra mileage and travel time, it still enables you to achieve your goal of hiking the entire JMT.

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