Mt. Whitney is the tallest peak in the contiguous United States, so naturally, a lot of people really want to stand victoriously on that summit! This fact alone makes grabbing Mt Whitney permits SUPER competitive. In fact, Mt. Whitney is the most frequently climbed mountain in the Sierra Nevada and the most popular California 14er, which is why a quota system was implemented during peak hiking season.

I remember the first time I stood tall on the summit of Mt Whitney. I took the less traditional Mountaineers Route up Mount Whitney, and it was my second mountaineering trip. It was one of the toughest climbs of my life at the time, and though I expected to have amazing views on the summit, the mountain had other plans.

Here’s what my summit day looked like:

When you get Mt. Whitney permits, you aren’t always guaranteed views.

But it was still worth it, and the trip taught me so many valuable lessons (as mountains tend to do). And I’ve been back to the area again and again ever since.

Hiking Mt. Whitney should not be taken lightly though, as this is a difficult 22 mile trail with over 6,200 feet of elevation gain. Training for this peak, both mentally and physically, is highly, highly recommended. If you feel very in shape and are comfortable with altitude, the trail can be done as a day hike, but you can also choose to backpack the Mt. Whitney trail to make it easier and help you acclimate better to the altitude.

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Is this your first 14er hike? Check out my post on 7 tips to hiking and summiting your first 14er. And if you’re based out of California, there are some great training hikes in Southern California that will help you get prepared for hiking Mount Whitney.

It’s important to know that whether you choose to day hike or backpack the Mt. Whitney trail, a permit is required, and we are going to cover the entire Mt. Whitney permit process here.

In this post, we’ll touch on the most essential steps of obtaining a Mount Whitney permit, including:

What’s New in 2024 for the Mt Whitney Permit Process
When to Apply for Mount Whitney Permits (the “main” lottery process has a short window)
Where to Apply for Mount Whitney Permits
How to Apply (I’ll give you a behind the scenes look at the step-by-step process)
Other Important Notes to Consider about Mt Whitney Permits
How Much the Mount Whitney Hiking Permits Cost
Tips for Increasing your Chances of Getting a Mt Whitney Permit
What to Do If You Don’t Win a Permit in the Mount Whitney Lottery Process (but still hope to hike Mt Whitney)

So let’s get started, shall we?

WHAT’S NEW IN 2024 FOR THE MT WHITNEY PERMIT PROCESS

Even from a distance, Whitney stands tall and recognizable.

The process to get 2024 Mt. Whitney permits is very similar to the past few years. During the 2024 Mt. Whitney Permit lottery, you can apply for a permit from February 1st through March 1st.

If you’re unsure about whether the hike you have planned requires a Mt. Whitney permit, Recreation.gov now features a simple questionnaire to help you determine your permit needs.

For instance, If you’re hoping to hike the John Muir Trail northbound starting from Mount Whitney, you would need a Mount Whitney permit. You can read my post about John Muir Trail Permits, to learn more about your options for the JMT. You can also check out this post about all the most popular California trails that require permits.

WHEN TO APPLY FOR MT. WHITNEY PERMITS

There are 3 primary times you can apply for Whitney permits:

During the annual lottery (February 1 – March 1)
During the permit mini sale on April 22nd (when unclaimed/unpaid for hiking permits from the initial lottery open up to the public)
During the hiking season (May 1 – November 1, these must be reserved online)

The Mount Whitney lottery begins each year on February 1st and ends on March 1st, and you can apply at any time during this window. You should expect to find out the results of your lottery application on March 15th, when they are posted to your account on recreation.gov.

Permits are required in order to hike Mount Whitney.

If you want to attempt multiple trips up Mount Whitney in the same year, you can apply for additional permits when any remaining spaces become available on April 22nd. This permit mini-sale opens up at 7AM (Pacific Time), and permits will be sold for the rest of the season (through November 1) as long as they remain available.

During the hiking season (May 1 - November 1), you can also check up until the day you want to hike to see if there are any available permits resulting from cancellations. Starting May 1st, any available permits will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, but you must reserve these permits online. There are NO walk-up permits available for Mt. Whitney.

WHERE TO APPLY FOR MT. WHITNEY PERMITS

You can apply for both day and overnight permits through recreation.gov.

You even need a wilderness permit for Mount Whitney if you are backpacking.

All reservations must be made online (no phone calls or applications by mail are accepted), and you will need to create an account in order to do this if you don’t have one already.

There are absolutely no walk-up permits available during the quota season (from May 1 through November 1). You used to be able to grab walk-in permits for Mount Whitney, but this is no longer an option.

If you’re confused about what permit you need or whether you need a permit at all, Recreation.gov has a step-by-step questionnaire to determine the right permit for your Mt. Whitney hike, which you can find here.

For more information about permits and the lottery, check out the Inyo National Forest Service info page with all the details.

HOW TO APPLY FOR MT. WHITNEY PERMITS

Here’s an overview of what the Mount Whitney lottery application process looks like:

Step 1: Go to the Recreation.gov Mt. Whitney permit page

Step 2: Click on the “Register for Lottery” button

To get your Mt Whitney permit you must first register for a recreation.gov account.

Step 3: On the next page you’ll fill out a few things. First fill out the permit leader information.

During the Whitney lottery application you will go through a series of steps and questions to apply for your permit.

Step 4: Add in any alternate trip leaders. You can add up to 3 alternative permit holders, this just means they have authority to pick up your permits (in addition to you), and is nice if you know who you’re going with already.

[alternate-permit-holders}- You can add up to 3 alternative Mt Whitney permit holders

Step 5: Choose day use or overnight permit and enter your preferences for dates. Day use is if you intend to hike Mount Whitney in a one-day push. Overnight is for backpacking into the Whitney Portal area and attempting a summit during your backpacking trip.

Day use permits will be if you intend to hike Mount Whitney in a one-day push.

Then you’ll want to pick your dates to apply for. You can choose to apply for up to 10 dates, and the more options you have, the better your chances are.

The order of your choices matter. So put them in order of your preference on dates.

Step 6: Read through and agree to the “Need to Know” information and then click “Proceed to Cart” button which is back up at the top of your application.

when you’ve filled out your Whitney permit application you can proceed to purchase.

Step 7: Check the information you entered and make sure everything is correct. Take note that your permit application will have a time limit, so be sure not to take too long during this whole process. If everything looks good, proceed to payment.

Take note that your Mount Whitney permit application will have a time limit, so be sure not to take too long during this whole process.

Step 8: Enter your payment info for the permit application fee and click next. Your application for the lottery will only cost $6, but if you receive a permit, you’ll pay an additional $15 per person to secure the permit.

The final step of you Mt Whitney lottery application is payment.

Step 9: Review your payment info & click confirm. After you click confirm you’ll be taken to a thank you page, given an “order number” (write this down), and you should expect an email confirmation shortly afterwards.

You’ll receive a confirmation email for your Whitney permit application submittal via email.

Step 10: Cross your fingers & wait for the results on March 15th!

If you get denied a permit, here’s what the email looks like:

IMPORTANT NOTES TO CONSIDER WHEN APPLYING FOR A MT. WHITNEY PERMIT

Create an account. You must register for an account on recreation.gov, then sign in and complete the application process for a permit between Feb 1st and March 1st.

Determine this information in advance: When you apply for the Mt. Whitney permit, you will be required to provide the name of your leader, alternate leader (you can name up to 3), permit type (day use or overnight), entry date, exit location, camp location (if applicable for backpacking), and the size of your group.

Backpacking Mount Whitney is a great alternative to day hiking.

Important group notes: You can apply for up to 15 people on the permit and for up to 10 different dates during the lottery. However, your group may only submit 1 application for the same dates. (If you submit multiple applications for your group, all of your applications will be automatically rejected.)

Making changes to your permit: Your group leader, alternate leaders, and your entry date cannot be changed after you enter the lottery; however, you will be allowed to change your exit date (for overnight permits) and reduce your group size (but not increase it).

How long is your Mt Whitney Day Use permit good for? Day use permits are valid from midnight to midnight on the date issued. You cannot get day use permits for consecutive days, so make sure to apply for an overnight permit if you plan to backpack.

You must pick up your Whitney permit in person at the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center.

How to print your Mt. Whitney Permit: You can now print your Mount Whitney permit at home instead of picking it up in person. Your permit will be available to print one week before your trip date through your account at recreation.gov. Find more details about printing your Mt. Whitney permit here.

When to print up your Whitney Permit: The deadline to print your permit is noon the day before for a day use permit and 10:30am of your entry date for an overnight permit. If you don’t print your permit by these deadlines, you will be considered a no-show, and your permit reservation will be canceled.

The group leader must sign the permit to validate it and must have the printed, signed permit in their possession during the trip. You do not need to check-in in person if you have already printed your permit.

You can call or visit the Wilderness Permit Office if you need to reissue your permit with corrections, rent a bear can, or have other questions. The office is open from 8:00am-4:30pm and the phone number is (760)-873-2483.

HOW MUCH DOES A MOUNT WHITNEY PERMIT COST

The transaction fee to apply for the permit lottery costs $6 per application.

If you are lucky enough to receive a Mt. Whitney permit, you will then need to pay an additional $15 per person in your group by April 21st. If you do not pay by this date, your permit will be canceled.

All Mt. Whitney permit fees are non-refundable. Fees cannot be transferred to alternate dates and there are no rain checks for weather.

THE FINE PRINT BEHIND YOUR PERMIT FOR MT. WHITNEY (THINGS TO CONSIDER)

The trip leader (or alternate) must be present in order to use the Mt. Whitney permit on the day of the hike. They also must carry the signed permit at all times on the trip and show it to rangers upon request. The leader also takes full responsibility for making sure that the entire group follows all rules and regulations stipulated by the permit.

Everyone hiking or backpacking the Mount Whitney Trail is required to use a WAG bag for human waste, and you must pack it out with you. The WAG bags are provided to you when you pick up your permits, and used bags can be disposed of in the waste disposal box at the Whitney Portal Trailhead near the restrooms. There are no restrooms along the trail itself.

While in the wilderness, you must follow all Leave No Trace principles. Also, drones and loud audio devices are prohibited in the Inyo National Forest, so everyone can enjoy the natural beauty in peace and quiet.

The Mount Whitney area is highly popular, which is why it is important to regulate traffic via a permit system.

Keep in mind that bears are very active at Whitney Portal and along the Mount Whitney trail. Do not leave any food in your car or tent at the trailhead. If you are backpacking the Mt. Whitney trail, you are required to take a bear canister to store all food, smellables, and waste. If you don’t already have your own, bear canisters are available for rental at the visitor center where you pick up your permit. While day hikers do not need a bear canister, you must keep your pack with you at all times to keep it away from bears.

Also, make sure to check the weather conditions before you begin your Mt. Whitney trail hike, so you can be prepared and stay safe. Understand that Mt. Whitney is a serious undertaking, especially if you are hiking early in the season. You should expect snow and ice on the trail until the beginning of July, and you need to bring necessary gear and feel comfortable in these conditions to attempt the hike. Don’t let summit fever or the fact that you scored a permit in the lottery get you in over your head on Mount Whitney.

GRAB MY [FREE] OUTDOOR BACKPACKER STARTER KIT

I created the Ultimate Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for you (and it's FREE)! This starter kit is filled with 14 pages of my best hiking and backpacking tips to help you learn what it takes to become a safe, confident, and self-sufficient outdoor backpacker!

TIPS FOR INCREASING YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING A MT. WHITNEY PERMIT

In 2022, a record number of 26,767 applications were submitted for the Mt. Whitney permit lottery, and only 29% of those were successful in receiving a permit for either their first choice date or an alternate date.

Many people apply for Whitney permits, but few are successful in getting one. You may have to give it multiple attempts.

During the quota season (May 1 - November 1), there are 100 permits available each day for day use, and 60 per day for overnight use. Yet more overnight permits are requested than day use permits, so if you feel confident that you can complete the hike in a day, you have a better chance of winning the day use lottery than the overnight lottery. In 2022, 18% of day use permit applications were successful in the lottery compared to only 11% of overnight permit applications.

The best weather window for the Mount Whitney hike is mid-summer, which means that is the most competitive time frame for permits. Peak season is July-August, and the most requested permit dates in 2022 was August 5-7, with only 1% of those applications being successful.

Therefore, if you apply for dates in May or October, you will have the best chance of winning the Mt. Whitney permit lottery. If it were me, I’d aim for early-to-mid September. This is my favorite time of the year to hike anywhere in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

However, the Mt. Whitney trail can still be snow-covered until July, which makes the hike far more difficult and dangerous, so keep that in mind and be prepared for winter conditions if you apply for an early or late season permit.

I once had to descend the Mount Whitney switchbacks when I was backpacking from Onion Valley to Whitney Portal, and here’s what the switchbacks looked like covered in snow. It was a bit challenging!

The switchbacks to early in the season can be covered with snow.

Even if you do decide to apply during peak season for the best weather, you can increase your chances of getting a permit by applying for a weekday date, since weekends are definitely in higher demand.

Also, keep your group as small as possible to give yourself a better chance of winning the lottery. Since each date has a limited quota of permits, the smaller your group, the better chance you have of fitting into that quota. While you can have a group of up to 15 on your permit application, a large group will be at a disadvantage.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU DON’T GET A MT. WHITNEY PERMIT

There are no walk-up Whitney area permits available during the quota season.

First of all, keep in mind that no Mt. Whitney walk-up permits are available during the quota season from May 1 to November 1, so don’t bother trying to get a permit that way.

However, you can check online at recreation.gov for last-minute cancellations up until the day before a possible trip date. Cancellations are always possible, and leaders are supposed to verify their final group size the week before their trip, so if they reduce the group size, permits will become available.

Any available permits for Mt Whitney will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, so continue to check for availability throughout the season leading up until the date you hope to hike Mt. Whitney.

If you can’t find any available last-minute Mt. Whitney permits, you can opt to hike in from another trail. This will be a much longer backpacking trip, but if you have the time and energy, it is a great option to bypass the Mt. Whitney permit lottery.

Kearsage Pass (Onion Valley Road) and Cottonwood Pass (Horseshoe Meadow Road) are both popular trailheads for hiking to Mt. Whitney. You will still need to acquire permits for these trails, but they are not part of the lottery system, and you can apply for permits starting 6 months in advance of your trip.

In order to camp at and summit Mt. Whitney on one of these hikes, you will need an “Exiting Mt. Whitney” permit. The Trail Crest Exit quota is 25 people per day, with 15 of these permits able to be reserved in advance and 10 permits saved for walk-up use. For more information about accessing Mt. Whitney through wilderness permits, visit the Inyo National Forest site.

All traffic entering and exiting the Whitney Portal area requires a permit.

If all else fails, there’s a TON of other epic hiking and backpacking trips in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Here are a few of my favorites:

For more 14,000 foot California peaks:

A Full List of All the California 14,000 Foot Peaks
Mount Whitney Trail – California 14er
Mount Langley Hike – California 14er
Split Mountain Hike – California 14er
Mount Shasta Hike – California 14er

Other hiking trips in the Sierra Nevada Mountains:

While it definitely takes some effort to plan your Mt. Whitney trip and score a permit (and to hike Mt. Whitney itself!), the pride – and views – you’ll get from summiting the highest peak in the contiguous United States will make it all worth it!

I hope you found this Mount Whitney permit guide helpful and found that it reduced your permit-grabbing anxiety. Please let me know if you have any questions below, or let me know if this guide helped you grab permits successfully!

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