John Muir Trail
Want to hike the John Muir Trail?
Check out our interactive guide
Itinerary
Happy Isles Trailhead
13.5 mi • 6,600 ft gain
Sunrise High Sierra Camp
9.8 mi • 1,000 ft gain
Tuolumne Meadows
10.8 mi • 1,600 ft gain
Lyell Fork
9 mi • 1,500 ft gain
Thousand Island Lake
14.2 mi • 1,700 ft gain
Devil’s Postpile
7.9 mi • 1,800 ft gain
Deer Creek
11.7 mi • 2,400 ft gain
Tully Hole
11.1 mi • 1,800 ft gain
Mono Creek
8.4 mi • 2,500 ft gain
Bear Creek
12 mi • 1,700 ft gain
Muir Trail Ranch
11.2 mi • 2,100 ft gain
McClure Meadow
10.7 mi • 2,400 ft gain
Helen Lake
11.6 mi • 400 ft gain
Deer Meadow
12.8 mi • 3,800 ft gain
Kings River
12.7 mi • 2,000 ft gain
Wood Creek
14.3 mi • 3,500 ft gain
Vidette Meadow
13 mi • 3,600 ft gain
Tyndall Creek
11.5 mi • 2,100 ft gain
Guitar Lake
9.4 mi • 4,000 ft gain
Trail Camp
6.1 mi • 0 ft gain
Whitney Portal Trailhead
How to get a permit
This trip requires a Yosemite National Park Wilderness Permit. Reservations depend on your start date:
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
Apr 26 – May 4
Limited number of permits available.3 options
A
Passed Online lottery
| Opens | Nov 12, 2023 | 12:01 AM PST |
|---|---|---|
| Closes | Nov 18, 2023 | 11:59 PM PST |
B
Passed Online reservations
| Opens | Nov 24, 2023 | 9 AM PST |
|---|---|---|
| Closes | 3 days ahead | 11:59 PM PDT |
Passed Unclaimed lottery permits release: Nov 24, 2023 at 9 AM PST
Last-minute release: 7 days ahead at 7 AM PDT
C
In-person reservations
| Opens | Day of | 8 AM PDT |
|---|---|---|
| Closes | Day of | 5 PM PDT |
No additional permits released
Don’t want to miss the deadline?
Let us know when you want to go and we’ll remind you to book.
Permit details
Here is how to fill out the Yosemite National Park Wilderness Permit application:
| Entry Point | Happy Isles → Past LYV (Donohue Pass Eligible) |
|---|---|
| Exit Point | Mt. Whitney (Trail Crest Exit) |
| 1st Night Camp Area | Sunrise High Sierra Camp |