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:
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep 1–7
Limited number of permits available.3 options
B
Online reservations
| Opens | Mar 29 | 9 AM PDT |
|---|---|---|
| Closes | 3 days ahead | 11:59 PM PDT |
Passed Unclaimed lottery permits release: Mar 29 at 9 AM PDT
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
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 |