Forest Service districts have different policies and dates for permit reservations, as well as different land management policies. You need to know which guidelines apply during each segment of your trip. Contact the USFS office closest to the area you plan to visit for specific information. Inyo and Sierra National Forests charge a fee for reservations:

Inyo National Forest
White Mountain Ranger District 798 North Main Street Bishop, CA 93514 619-873-2500	Mount Whitney Ranger District PO Box 8 Lone Pine, CA 93545 619-876-6200
Sierra National Forest
Kings River Ranger District Trimmer Route Sanger, CA 93657 209-855-8321	Pineridge Ranger District PO Box 559 Prather, CA 93651 209-841-3311
Sequoia National Forest
Pinehurst Ranger Station 53291 Highway 245 Miramonte, CA 93641 209-338-2251	Cannell Meadow Ranger District PO Box 6 Kernville, CA 93238 619-376-3781
Tule River Ranger District 32588 Hwy. 190 Springville, CA 93265 209-539-2607

Hiking Areas:

Foothills Visitor Center

South Fork(summer only)

Mineral King

Lodgepole/Giant Forest

Grant Grove

Cedar Grove

Sequoia National Forest

Sierra National Forest

Inyo National Forest

(White Mt. Ranger District)

Inyo National Forest

(Mt. Whitney Ranger District)

Foothills Visitor Center

Middle Fork Trail (Buckeye Campground):
Begins with a slight grade along the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River. Oaks to pines, rivers & vistas. Early and late season access. Watch for ticks, poison oak, rattlesnakes.

First campsite - Panther Creek (3.5 miles/5.6 km)

Limit 25 people/day.

Back to Park Details List

South Fork Ranger Station (Summer Only)

In the winter, pick up permits for these trailheads at the Foothills Visitor Center.

Lady Bug Trail (South Fork):
Short and steep; dead end at South Fork Grove (5.1 miles/8.2 km). South-facing trail; year-round access. Watch for ticks, poison oak, rattlesnakes.

First campsite - Lady Bug Camp (1.7 miles/2.7 km)

Limit 15 people/day.

Garfield Grove Trail (South Fork):
Steady climb. Good early season trail. Giant sequoias then on to Hockett Meadow. Watch for ticks, poison oak, rattlesnakes. Popular horse-party trail.

First campsite - Garfield Grove (4 miles/6.4 km)

Limit 15 people/day.

Back to Hiking Areas List

Mineral King Ranger Station

No fires permitted in Mineral King Valley outside frontcountry campgrounds.

Atwell-Hockett Trail (Atwell Mill):
Easy to moderate climb. Giant sequoia grove, meadows. 10 miles (16 km) to Hockett Meadow. Popular horse-party trail.

First campsite - Clover Creek (6 miles/9.6 km)

Limit 25 people/day.

Paradise Ridge Trail (Atwell Mill):
Steep climb, hot and dry. Sequoia grove and vistas. 9 miles (14.4 km) to Redwood Meadow.

First campsite - Paradise Ridge (3 miles/4.8 km) No water

Limit 15 people/day.

Tar Gap Trail (Cold Springs Campground):
Moderate climb. Lakes, forests, alpine vistas. 12 miles (19.2 km) to Hockett Meadow. Access to trails beyond. Popular horse-party trail.

First campsite - Deer Creek (4 miles/6.4 km)

Limit 25 people/day.

Mosquito/Mineral Trail (Eagle/Mosquito Lakes trailhead):
Moderately strenuous climb. Lakes and spectacular vistas. No campfires. Cross-country to upper lakes.

First campsite - Mosquito Lake #2 (4 miles/6.4 km)

Limit 25 people/day.

Eagle Lake Trail (Eagle/Mosquito Lakes trailhead):
Steady, moderately steep climb. Lake and alpine vistas. No campfires.

First campsite - Eagle Lake (3.4 miles/5.4 km)

Limit 25 people/day. White Chief Trail (Eagle/Mosquito Lakes trailhead):

Moderately strenuous climb. Lakes and spectacular vistas. No campfires.

First campsite - White Chief Bowl (4 miles/6.4 km)

Limit 25 people/day.

Farewell Gap Trail (Franklin Pass trailhead):
Steep and strenuous climb. Access to Sequoia National Forest trails. No campfires.

First campsite - Franklin/Farewell Jct. (4 miles/6.4 km)

No entry limit.

Franklin Pass Trail (Franklin Pass trailhead):
Moderately strenuous climb. Lake and alpine vistas. No campfires. Popular horse-party trail.

First campsite - Franklin/Farewell Jct. (4 miles/6.4 km)

Limit 30 people/day.

Sawtooth Trail (Sawtooth trailhead):
Steep, strenuous climb. Rough, unmaintained trail beyond Monarch Lakes. Lakes, vistas, access to Glacier Pass, Big and Little Five Lakes. No campfires.

First campsite - Groundhog Meadow (1 miles/1.6 km)

Limit 20 people/day.

Timber Gap Trail (Sawtooth trailhead):
Moderately steep climb. Forest, lakes. Access to many trails. No campfires. Popular horse-party trail.

First campsite - Timber Gap (2.2 miles/3.5 km) No water

Limit 25 people/day.

Back to Hiking Areas

Lodgepole Visitor Center

Twin Lakes Trail (Lodgepole Campground):
Moderately steep climb. Forests, meadows and lakes. No campfires at Twin Lakes. 7 miles (11.2 km) to Twin Lakes, 8 miles (12.8 km) to Silliman Pass, 10 miles (16 km) to Ranger Lakes.

First campsite - Cahoon Meadow (3 miles/4.8 km)

Limit 30 people/day

Pear Lake Trail (Wolverton):
Moderate climb. No campfires at the lakes or in the Tablelands beyond. Camp only at numbered sites at Emerald and Pear Lakes. 6.1 miles (9.8 km) to Pear Lake.

First campsite - Emerald Lake (5 miles/8 km)

Limit 25 people/day

Alta Trail (Wolverton)
: Steady climb to Alta Peak. Fires okay only at Panther Gap and Mehrton Meadow. Spur trail connects with the High Sierra Trail.

First campsite - Panther Gap (3 miles/4.8 km) No water

Limit 25 people/day

High Sierra Trail (Crescent Meadow):
11 miles (17.6 km) to Bearpaw Meadow; steady climb to passes and lake beyond. Canyons, vistas. 70+ miles (112+ km) to Mt. Whitney from trailhead.

First campsite - Panther Creek (3 miles/4.8 km)

Limit 30 people/day

Back to Hiking Areas List

Grant Grove Visitor Center

Redwood Canyon Trail (Redwood Saddle trailhead):
Mostly easy hiking. 2 easy 6-mile (9.6 km) loops through sequoia groves. No campfires. 2-night limit.

First campsite - Redwood Creek (1 mile/1.6 km)

Limit 15 people/day. Maximum group size is 10

J.O. Pass Trail (Sunset Meadow trailhead): Moderate hike; first 2 miles (3.2 km) hardest. Forests, lakes. 5.5 miles (8.8 km) to Jenny Lake (Forest Service); 9 miles (14.4 km) to Twin Lakes

First campsite - Rowell Meadow (2 miles/3.2 km)

Limit 15 people/day

Belle Canyon Trail (Sunset Meadow trailhead):
Moderate hike; first 2 miles (3.2 km) hardest. Forests, lakes and vistas. 6 miles (9.6 km) to Seville Lake; 8 miles (12.8 km) to Lost Lake.

First campsite - Rowell Meadow (2 miles/3.2 km)

Limit 25 people/day

Sugarloaf Trail (Sunset Meadow trailhead):
Moderate hike. Spectacular glaciated canyons.

First campsite - Rowell Meadow (2 miles/3.2 km)

Limit 25 people/day

Back to Hiking Areas List

Cedar Grove Visitor Center

Bubbs Creek Trail (Roads End):
Steep then steady grade. Access to John Muir/Pacific Crest trails (JMT/PCT). Limit 1 night per camp area on JMT from Woods Creek to Glen Pass and in some neighboring areas. No campfires above 10,000' (3048 meters). Trailhead to begin the Rae Lakes Loop going counter-clockwise. See Woods Creek below.

First campsite - Sphinx Creek (4 miles/6.4 km)

Limit 25 people/day

Woods Creek Trail (Roads End):
Steady moderate climb. Very busy trail. Vistas, rivers and high lakes. Access to JMT/PCT. Trailhead to begin the Rae Lakes Loop going clockwise. See Bubbs Creek above. Bubbs and Woods Creeks are popular horse-party trails.

First campsite - Paradise Valley (6.5 miles/10.4 km)

Limit 25 people/day

Copper Creek Trail (Roads End):
Hot, steep climb; leave early in the day. Forests, vistas, alpine lakes. Access to Middle Fork of Kings River. No campfires in Granite Basin or above 10,000' (3048 meters).

First campsite - Lower Tent Meadow (4 miles/6.4 km)

Limit 20 people/day

Lewis Creek Trail (Lewis Creek trailhead):
Hot, steep, dusty climb. Trail becomes difficult to follow north of Kennedy Pass. Forest, lakes and vistas. No campfires above 10,000' (3048 meters)

First campsite - Frypan Meadow (5.5 miles/8.8 km)

Limit 25 people/day

Back to Hiking Areas List

Sequoia National Forest

Long Meadow Trail (Mountain Home trailhead):
Moderate climb.

First campsite - Summit Lake in Sequoia National Park(7.6 miles/12.1 km)

No entry limit

Fish Creek Trail (Jerkey Meadow trailhead):
First campsite - Grey Meadow (5 miles/8 km)

Easy to moderate. Water scarce.

No entry limit

Back to Hiking Areas List

Sierra National Forest

Florence Lake Trail (Florence Lake):
Moderate. John Muir Trail. Access to Evolution Valley and Goddard Canyon

First Campsite - Blaney Meadow (10 miles/16 km)
A boat-taxi is available from Florence Lake trailhead in the summer. Send a SASE to Muir Trail Ranch, Box 176, Lakeshore, CA 93634 for more information.

Limit 72 people/day

Tehipite Valley (Wishon Reservoir):
Moderate; very strenuous in and out of Tehipite Valley

First campsite - Cow Meadow (4 miles/6.4 km)

No entry limit

Back to Hiking Areas List

Inyo National Forest, White Mountain Ranger District

Piute Pass (North Lake):
Moderate to strenuous. Access to John Muir Trail, Evolution Valley

First campsite - Lock Leven (3.5 miles/5.6 km)

Limit 32 people/day

Bishop Pass (South Lake):
Moderate to strenuous. Access to Dusy Basin

First campsite - Long Lake (3 miles/4.8 km)

Limit 36 people/day

Back to Hiking Areas List

Inyo National Forest, Mt. Whitney Ranger District

Kearsarge Pass (Onion Valley):
Moderate. Access to John Muir Trail

First campsite - Flower Lake (3.5 miles/5.6 km)

Limit 60 people/day

Mt. Whitney (Whitney Portal):
Strenuous, especially to those not acclimated. Permits are required for both backpackers and day hikers to Mt. Whitney.

First campsite - Outpost camp (5 miles/8 km)

Limit 50 people/day

Cottonwood Lakes (Horseshoe Meadow):
Moderate to lakes (11,008'/3355 meters); strenuous over New Army Pass

First campsite - Cottonwood Lake #1

Limit 60 people/day

Cottonwood Pass (Horseshoe Meadow):
Moderate (Siberian Pass = 10,950'/3338 meters)

First campsite - Chicken Spring Lake

Limit 40 people/day

Top of Page
Back to Hiking Areas List
Sequoia & Kings Home
National Parks Home