2026 permits sold out faster than ever, with peak summer dates seeing a 15% increase in applications. Securing a 2027 JMT permit means planning early and applying strategically.

This guide covers the complete 2027 permit cycle — lottery dates, application strategies, and backup plans based on what thousands of hikers learned in 2026.

Quick Navigation

• 2027 Important Dates
• Which Permit Should You Apply For?
• Permit Options Comparison
• What We Learned from 2026
• Complete Application Guide
• Backup Plans

2027 Important Dates Calendar

Mark these dates on your calendar now. Missing an application window means waiting another week or month for your next chance.

Whitney Portal Annual Lottery

The simplest application process — one lottery covering the entire May-November season:

Coverage: All trips between May 1 - November 1, 2027

Yosemite Wilderness Rolling Lottery

Applications open 24 weeks (168 days) before your trip date. Plan backwards from your target start date:

Walk-up Permits (40% quota): Released 7 days before trip date at 7:00 AM PT, first-come first-served

Inyo National Forest Permits

Alternative trailheads with better availability. Two reservation windows:

6-Month Window (60% quota):

• Opens at 7:00 AM PT exactly 6 months before trip date
• For July 1, 2027: Reserve starting January 1, 2027
• For August 1, 2027: Reserve starting February 1, 2027
• For September 1, 2027: Reserve starting March 1, 2027

2-Week Window (40% quota):

• Opens at 7:00 AM PT exactly 2 weeks before trip date
• Rolling availability for last-minute trips

2027 Permit Options Comparison

Compare all permit strategies at a glance:

Cost Breakdown:

• Yosemite: $10 application fee (non-refundable) + $5 permit fee per person
• Whitney Portal: $6 application fee (non-refundable) + $15 permit fee per person
• Inyo NF: No application fee, $5-15 permit fee per person depending on trailhead

Which Permit Strategy Fits You?

Different hikers need different strategies. Here's how to choose based on your situation:

Solo or Pair Hikers

Best Strategy: Apply for everything

• Submit Whitney Portal application (February 1-March 1)
• Apply to Yosemite lottery for your preferred dates (24 weeks out)
• Have Inyo trailheads ready as backup (6 months out)
• Plan to try walk-up permits if lotteries fail (7 days before)

Why this works: Smaller groups have better odds across all permit types. You can pivot quickly if one strategy fails.

Hikeset tip: Create your trip on Hikeset now, then clone it for different start points. If you get a Whitney permit but planned for Yosemite, flip your itinerary in minutes.

Group Organizers (4+ People)

Best Strategy: Whitney Portal lottery + Inyo backup

• Focus on Whitney Portal (simplest group coordination)
• Have each member apply separately to Whitney (increases odds)
• Identify 2-3 Inyo trailheads that work for your group
• Avoid walk-ups (rarely work for groups of 4+)

Why this works: Whitney has one application window vs Yosemite's weekly coordination. Inyo trailheads like Cottonwood Pass and Kearsarge Pass accommodate larger groups better.

Hikeset tip: Set up your group trip before the lottery. Define gear requirements, assign shared equipment, and build your meal plan. If you get the permit, you're ready to go.

First-Time Thru-Hikers

Best Strategy: Maximize applications, be flexible on direction

• Apply to both Whitney and Yosemite lotteries
• Accept either NOBO or SOBO (doubles your chances)
• Target shoulder season dates (better odds, still great hiking)
• Research section hiking as fallback

Why this works: Your first JMT should prioritize getting on trail over the "perfect" direction or dates. September hiking is often better than July.

Hikeset tip: Plan both directions on Hikeset. See campsite options, elevation profiles, and water sources for NOBO and SOBO. Understand what changes between the two.

Budget-Conscious Hikers

Best Strategy: Inyo National Forest focus

• Skip the lottery application fees entirely
• Reserve Inyo permits 6 months out (free to apply, lower permit fee)
• Target shoulder season for better availability
• Consider section hiking over multiple years

Why this works: Inyo trailheads have no application fee and lower permit costs. Shoulder season means cheaper lodging and less crowded trails.

Hikeset tip: Browse alternative trailheads on Hikeset. Many offer spectacular scenery with fraction of the permit competition.

Data-Driven Planners

Best Strategy: Optimize dates and applications statistically

• Weekday starts (Tuesday-Thursday) have 15% better success rates
• Late July/early August shows highest lottery success (post-runoff, pre-Labor Day surge)
• Apply to multiple Yosemite lottery windows (different backup dates)
• Track your applications and success rates

Why this works: Small optimizations compound. A Tuesday start in late July with an alternative date the following week gives you multiple bites at the apple.

Hikeset tip: Track all your permit applications in one place. Note which strategies worked, success rates by date, and learnings for future trips.

First-Time Backpackers or Scout Groups

Best Strategy: Alternative trailheads, early season or fall

• Target Inyo permits for September when availability is high
• Choose shorter sections (Kearsarge to Whitney = 6-8 days)
• Avoid peak season crowds and permit competition
• Build experience before attempting full thru-hike

Why this works: Less pressure, better availability, easier logistics. September weather is often more stable than July.

Hikeset tip: Use gear requirement templates to ensure your whole group has appropriate equipment. Set up member checklists so everyone knows what to bring.

What We Learned from 2026

Based on 2026 data and hiker feedback, here's what actually worked:

Walk-up Success Patterns

Weekday vs Weekend Starts:

• Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday starts: ~30% success rate during peak season
• Friday/Saturday/Sunday starts: ~15% success rate during peak season
• Weekdays sell out in 3-5 minutes, weekends in under 2 minutes

Shoulder Season Advantage:

• September 15-30 walk-ups: ~50% success rate, permits last 15-30 minutes
• Early October walk-ups: ~65% success rate, sometimes available for hours

Alternative Trailhead Popularity (Inyo NF)

Consistently Available in 2026:

• Bear Creek - Less known, excellent access, beautiful scenery
• Piute Pass - Northern entry, fewer applicants
• Pine Creek - Short approach, joins JMT quickly

Competitive But Better Than Yosemite/Whitney:

• Cottonwood Pass - Popular for NOBO, still 60% success rate
• Kearsarge Pass - Mid-trail exit option, 55% success rate
• Bishop Pass - Stunning scenery, 50% success rate

Avoid Unless Very Flexible:

• Onion Valley (Kearsarge trailhead) - Now as competitive as Yosemite

Group Size Impact

Takeaway: If you have a large group, focus on Inyo alternatives or consider splitting into smaller permit groups.

Application Timing

Whitney Portal:

• Applications submitted February 1-5: No advantage (all entries treated equally in lottery)
• Waiting until March 1: No disadvantage (still treated equally)
• Strategy: Take your time, review application carefully, submit anytime in the window

Yosemite Rolling Lottery:

• Sunday 12:01 AM applications: Slight advantage (more entries reviewed first)
• Later in the week applications: No meaningful difference
• Strategy: Apply early in the week, don't stress about exact timing

Complete Application Walkthrough

Step 1: Create Recreation.gov Account

1. Go to Recreation.gov
2. Click "Sign In" → "Create Account"
3. Enter email, create password
4. Verify email address
5. Add payment method now (saves time during walk-up permit attempts)

Important: Use an email you check regularly. Lottery results and permit confirmations go here.

Step 2: Whitney Portal Application (February 1-March 1, 2027)

1. Visit Whitney Portal Lottery
2. Click "Apply for Lottery"
3. Select your trip details:
   • Entry date: Your preferred start date (flexible range recommended)
   • Exit date: Estimated completion (can be approximate)
   • Group size: Exact number of people
   • Entry point: Whitney Portal
   • Exit point: Can be different (Yosemite, another trailhead)
4. Add personal information for all group members
5. Answer questions about experience level (be honest)
6. Review and submit ($6 application fee, non-refundable)

Pro Tip: In the "alternate dates" section, list multiple acceptable start dates (spreads your chances across the lottery pool).

Step 3: Yosemite Rolling Lottery (24 Weeks Before Trip Date)

1. Go to Yosemite Wilderness Permits
2. Find "Happy Isles to Donohue Pass" (JMT trailhead)
3. Click "Apply" for your target date
4. Application window: Sunday 12:01 AM PT through Saturday 11:59 PM PT
5. Select your trip details:
   • Entry date: Specific date
   • Group size: Number of people
   • Trailhead: Happy Isles
   • Destination: Donohue Pass (JMT exit from Yosemite)
6. Add participant information
7. Submit ($10 application fee, non-refundable)

Results: Announced the following Monday via email. Check spam folder.

Step 4: If You Win a Lottery

1. Check email within 24 hours of results announcement
2. Click the acceptance link
3. Accept within deadline (or permit goes to waitlist):
   • Whitney Portal: By April 21, 2027
   • Yosemite: Within the specified window (usually 2-3 days)
4. Pay permit fee ($5-15 per person depending on permit type)
5. Print your permit (or have digital copy ready)
6. Bring permit + photo ID to ranger station on trip start date

Step 5: If You Don't Win

Don't panic. You have multiple backup options:

1. Try another Yosemite date (new lottery every week)
2. Reserve Inyo permit 6 months before trip (see Step 6)
3. Attempt walk-up permit 7 days before trip (see Step 7)
4. Monitor cancellations daily on Recreation.gov (or use automated services like PermitSnag and PermitScout that check every 2-5 minutes and send instant notifications when permits become available)
5. Pivot to section hike or shoulder season dates

Step 6: Inyo National Forest Permits

Stunning high country scenery accessible from Inyo National Forest trailheads

6-Month Reservation Window:

1. Visit Inyo National Forest Permits
2. Select your trailhead (Cottonwood Pass, Kearsarge Pass, Bishop Pass, etc.)
3. Exactly 6 months before trip date, at 7:00 AM PT, permits become available
4. Reserve online (no application fee, just permit fee $5-15/person)
5. Confirmation is immediate (no lottery)

Pro Tip: Set an alarm for 6:59 AM PT on reservation day. Have your Recreation.gov account logged in and ready.

2-Week Reservation Window:

Same process, but 14 days before trip instead of 6 months. Good for last-minute trips or if 6-month window sold out.

Step 7: Walk-up Permits (7 Days Before Trip)

Preparation (Do This in Advance):

1. Recreation.gov account created and verified
2. Payment method added
3. Alarms set for 6:55 AM PT and 6:59 AM PT
4. Computer or phone ready (laptop recommended for speed)
5. Backup device ready in case of technical issues

Game Day (Exactly 7 Days Before Trip Start):

1. 6:55 AM PT: Log into Recreation.gov
2. 6:59 AM PT: Navigate to Happy Isles trailhead
3. 7:00 AM PT: Click "Check Availability"
4. 7:00:05 AM PT: Select your date (if available)
5. 7:00:10 AM PT: Enter group size, confirm
6. 7:00:15 AM PT: Submit payment
7. 7:00:20 AM PT: Confirm reservation

Reality Check: During peak season, permits sell out in 2-5 minutes. Have fast internet, practice the clicks beforehand, and don't give up if the first date is gone — sometimes permits pop up as failed payment attempts release back to inventory.

Backup Plans and Alternatives

Section Hiking the JMT

High alpine meadow along the John Muir Trail

Can't get permits for the full 211 miles? Break it into sections:

Popular Section Options:

Section 1: Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne (4-5 days)

• Entry: Happy Isles
• Exit: Tuolumne Meadows
• Highlights: Half Dome side trip, Sunrise Lakes, Cathedral Range
• Permit difficulty: High (Yosemite lottery)

Section 2: Reds Meadow to Kearsarge Pass (5-7 days)

• Entry: Reds Meadow or Mammoth
• Exit: Onion Valley (Kearsarge)
• Highlights: Thousand Island Lake, Silver Pass, Evolution Valley
• Permit difficulty: Medium (Inyo NF)

⚠️ Reds Meadow Access Alert

When the mandatory ESTA shuttle is operating (typically mid-June through Labor Day), private vehicles are not permitted to Reds Meadow. Check current road status before planning any Reds Meadow resupply stops or exit points for 2027.

Section 3: Kearsarge Pass to Whitney Portal (6-8 days)

• Entry: Onion Valley (Kearsarge)
• Exit: Whitney Portal
• Highlights: Forester Pass, Guitar Lake, Mt. Whitney summit
• Permit difficulty: High (competitive even for sections)

Section Hiking Benefits:

• Easier to get permits
• Less time off work required (spread across multiple years)
• Build skills progressively
• Lower daily mileage (more enjoyable for some)
• Experience all 211 miles eventually

Plan your section hikes on Hikeset

JMT Section Overview

The John Muir Trail officially consists of 7 sections totaling 211 miles. Understanding these sections helps you plan section hikes and choose the right entry/exit points for your trip.

Entry/Exit Trailhead Matrix

This table shows which sections you'll hike based on your entry and exit trailheads. Each cell indicates the section numbers you'll complete (e.g., "1-3" means sections 1, 2, and 3).

How to use this table: Find your entry trailhead in the left column and your exit trailhead across the top. The cell shows which sections you'll complete. For detailed information on each section including elevation profiles, campsites, and water sources, see the section links above.

Popular Section Combinations

Two-Section Split:

• Northern Half: Yosemite Valley to VVR (89 mi, Sections 1-3, 7-9 days) + Southern Half: VVR to Whitney (122.6 mi, Sections 4-7, 10-12 days)
• Advantage: Natural resupply point at VVR, balanced difficulty

Three-Section Split:

• Trip 1: Yosemite to Reds Meadow (61 mi, Sections 1-2, 5-6 days)
• Trip 2: Reds Meadow to Bishop Pass (74 mi, Sections 3-5, 6-7 days)
• Trip 3: Bishop Pass to Whitney (73.6 mi, Sections 6-7, 6-8 days)
• Advantage: More manageable trips, easier time off work, progressive difficulty

Weekend Warriors:

• Section 1 (Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne, 23.5 mi) or Section 3 (Reds Meadow to VVR, 28 mi) - Perfect 3-4 day trips
• Advantage: Test gear and fitness before committing to longer sections

Alternative Sierra Nevada Trails

High country terrain characteristic of the Sierra Nevada

If JMT permits prove impossible, these trails offer similar experiences:

High Sierra Trail (72 miles, 6-8 days)

• Start: Crescent Meadow (Sequoia NP)
• End: Whitney Portal
• Permit difficulty: Medium (better than JMT, but still competitive)
• Success rate: ~40-50% in lottery
• Highlights: Kaweah Basin, Big Arroyo, connects with JMT at Wallace Creek
• Best for: Those who want the Whitney summit finish with less permit competition

Rae Lakes Loop (42 miles, 4-5 days)

• Start/End: Roads End (Kings Canyon)
• Permit difficulty: Medium-Low
• Success rate: ~60-70% in reservation window
• Highlights: Stunning Rae Lakes, Glen Pass (11,978'), Painted Lady, Dollar Lake
• Best for: Weekend warriors, testing gear and fitness

Evolution Loop (37 miles, 4-5 days)

• Start/End: South Lake (Bishop Pass trailhead)
• Permit difficulty: Medium
• Success rate: ~50-60% in reservation window
• Highlights: Evolution Valley and Lake, Muir Pass (11,955'), alpine basins
• Best for: Experiencing iconic JMT scenery without the full commitment

Sierra High Route (195 miles, off-trail)

• Permit difficulty: Low (fewer applicants due to difficulty)
• Success rate: ~75-85%
• Requirements: Advanced navigation skills, off-trail experience, snow travel experience
• Highlights: More remote than JMT, incredible scenery, true wilderness experience
• Best for: Experienced backpackers seeking solitude and challenge

International Alternatives

If 2027 isn't your year for the JMT, consider these international treks:

• Tour du Mont Blanc (France/Italy/Switzerland) - 110 miles, hut system
• Torres del Paine W Trek (Patagonia, Chile) - 50 miles, incredible scenery
• Laugavegur Trail (Iceland) - 34 miles, volcanic landscapes
• Routeburn Track (New Zealand) - 20 miles, hut system

Many international trails have simpler permit systems or no permits at all.

Essential Resources

Official Permit Information

• Recreation.gov - Main reservation portal
• Yosemite Wilderness Permits
• Whitney Portal Lottery
• Inyo National Forest Permits

Planning Tools

• Hikeset Trip Planner - Route planning, gear coordination, meal planning
• Browse Alternative Trailheads - Inyo NF entry points
• JMT Gear Guide - What to pack for the John Muir Trail

Community Resources

• r/JMT on Reddit - Active community, recent trip reports
• r/Ultralight - Gear optimization discussions
• Facebook JMT groups - Year-specific cohorts (search "JMT 2027")

FAQ

When do 2027 JMT permits go on sale?

The first 2027 permits become available February 1, 2027 (Whitney Portal lottery opens). Yosemite rolling lottery begins 24 weeks before your trip date. For a July 1, 2027 start, apply starting December 14, 2026.

How hard is it to get a JMT permit?

Peak season (mid-July through mid-August) has ~30% success rate for Yosemite, ~40% for Whitney Portal. Shoulder season (September) improves to 60-80% success, especially for alternative trailheads.

Can I get a JMT permit without entering the lottery?

Yes. Options include: 1. Walk-up permits (40% of quota, released 7 days before trip) 2. Inyo National Forest trailheads (first-come reservations, no lottery) 3. Cancellations (monitor Recreation.gov daily) 4. Late season dates (October often has availability)

What's the best JMT trailhead for beginners?

Cottonwood Pass (southbound) offers:

• Gentler elevation profile than Whitney start
• Still covers the best JMT scenery
• Better permit availability than Yosemite
• Shorter total distance option (can exit early at Kearsarge)

Should I go NOBO or SOBO?

SOBO (Yosemite to Whitney):

• Traditional direction
• Ends with Mt. Whitney summit
• Harder permit (Yosemite lottery)
• More crowded

NOBO (Whitney to Yosemite):

• Summit Whitney at start (fresher legs)
• Easier permit (Whitney annual lottery)
• Less crowded
• Elevation gain is similar either direction

Both are excellent. Choose based on permit availability and preference for ending on Whitney vs in Yosemite Valley.

Can I start the JMT without a permit?

No. All JMT trailheads require wilderness permits. Starting without a permit can result in fines, being turned back by rangers, and makes it harder for others to get permits. Always get a permit before starting your hike.

What's the maximum group size for JMT permits?

Maximum group size is 15 people across all JMT trailheads. Groups larger than 15 must split into separate parties with separate permits, starting on different days or from different trailheads. Important note: Smaller groups (1-4 people) have significantly better permit availability than larger groups. Groups of 9+ people have the lowest success rates in all lottery systems.

Information compiled from Recreation.gov, National Park Service, and USDA Forest Service sources, plus data from thousands of 2026 permit applications. Permit policies and procedures are subject to change. Always verify current information on official websites before planning your trip.

Published: April 12, 2026