Inyo NF Wilderness Permit — Bishop Pass (JMT)
Inyo National Forest · California
Wilderness permit for entry via Bishop Pass (JMT) in Inyo National Forest. Access to John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness.
Get an alert when Bishop Pass (JMT) opens on your dates.
When it opens
- 6 months
- First come, first served from six months before your entry date, at 7 am Pacific60% of quotaYou book on Recreation.gov.
- 2 weeks
- First come, first served from two weeks before your entry date, at 7 am Pacific40% of quotaYou book on Recreation.gov.
Source: recreation.gov
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Bishop Pass (JMT) were gone within 10 minutes.
Bishop Pass (JMT) reservation dates
- Season
- May 1 to November 1
- max group size
- 15people
How to get a Bishop Pass (JMT) permit
As of September 2026, Bishop Pass (JMT) in Inyo National Forest, California requires a permit issued via reservation. Bishop Pass (JMT) is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Bishop Pass (JMT) permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The permit season for Bishop Pass (JMT) runs May 1 through November 1.
- Type
- Overnight
- Location
- Eastern Sierra, CA
Step 1: Create an account before permits drop
Find this permit on the managing agency's booking system and set up an account with your payment info ready.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
Bishop Pass (JMT) pro tips
- Sleep at altitude the night before. The South Lake trailhead is already high and the pass is higher
- The Chocolate Lake loop is a nicer way up and rejoins at Long Lake, but it is not for stock
- Two nights is the cap in Dusy Basin, so build the itinerary around that before you book
- Set an alert for the two-week release as well as the six-month opening. Inyo puts more permits out then
- Do not book Bishop Pass if your plan is Treasure Lakes, which is a separate reservation
More on Bishop Pass (JMT): Live availability activityWhen Bishop Pass (JMT) permits open upChance of an opening
How much a Bishop Pass (JMT) permit costs
Bishop Pass (JMT) permit fee: Recreation.gov permit 233262 lists a $6 Inyo reservation fee plus a $5 per-person fee.
The Bishop Pass (JMT) hike
- Route Type
- Varies
- Duration
- 2-5 days
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
Bishop Pass (JMT) landmarks
- 1South Lake trailhead
Start of the climb between the Inconsolable Range and Hurd Peak.
- 2Long Lake
Where the Chocolate Lake loop rejoins the main trail.
- 3Saddlerock Lake
The highest lakes above it are tinted with glacial melt at the foot of Mt. Thompson and Mt. Goode.
- 4Dusy Basin
Over the pass in Kings Canyon. Two-night camp limit, off-trail group size limit of 8.
- 5LeConte Canyon
Where the trail meets the John Muir Trail.
A staircase of granite benches out of South Lake, each one holding its own lake, ending at the pass that drops into Dusy Basin and the John Muir Trail.
About this permit
Bishop Pass at South Lake is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point above Bishop, giving access to the John Muir Wilderness and, over the pass, to Dusy Basin and the John Muir Trail in Kings Canyon National Park.
Inyo's quota season runs May 1 to November 1 in 2026. Reservations open six months in advance at 7 am Pacific, and additional permits are released two weeks in advance. From November 2 to April 30 the trailhead is non-quota and bookable up to two weeks ahead.
Two things trip people up. Inyo says trips going toward Treasure Lakes are a different reservation, so check the area map before you book. And Dusy Basin carries a two-night camping limit once you are inside the national park.
The route
The trail starts at South Lake and works up past a string of lakes. Inyo notes the Chocolate Lake loop as a popular alternate route around Chocolate Peak that rejoins the main trail at Long Lake, and says it is not recommended for stock.
Over Bishop Pass is the backcountry of Kings Canyon National Park. Inyo says the trail continues through Dusy Basin to LeConte Canyon where it meets the John Muir Trail, and that a permit for Bishop Pass may continue on the John Muir Trail.
Park rules take over at the boundary. Sequoia and Kings Canyon regulations include no pets, no bear spray, a two-night camp limit for Dusy Basin, and an off-trail group size limit of eight in Dusy and Palisade Basin.
Why it matters
Bishop Pass is the shortest line from the Owens Valley to the John Muir Trail, which is why it is one of the busiest Inyo trailheads. Inyo National Forest describes the trail climbing the valley between the Inconsolable Range and Hurd Peak, over granite benches each holding lakes and ponds, with the highest lakes above Saddlerock Lake tinted by glacial melt at the foot of Mt. Thompson and Mt. Goode.
The feeling
Every switchback buys you another lake. Long Lake, then Saddlerock, then Bishop Lake with the pass finally visible above it. Over the top the ground falls away into Dusy Basin, which is one of the great campsites in the Sierra: slabs, tarns, and the Palisades stacked across the sky.
Bishop Pass (JMT) hike highlights
- A climb past Long Lake, Saddlerock Lake and Bishop Lake to the pass
- A permit that may continue on the John Muir Trail, per Inyo
- A quota season from May 1 to November 1, plus a two-week release
- Kings Canyon rules from the pass onward, including a two-night limit in Dusy Basin
- Trips toward Treasure Lakes need a different reservation
How hard the Bishop Pass (JMT) hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required4/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
- Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential2/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route3/5
Best for: Backpackers who want alpine terrain fast, and JMT hikers looking for a short, direct eastside entry.
Recommended experience: One prior night above 10,000 feet and comfort with sustained climbing on rock.
Not recommended for: Parties that have not acclimatized, since the trailhead itself is already high.
When to hike Bishop Pass (JMT)
Best time to visit
The quota season is May 1 to November 1. July through September is when the pass and Dusy Basin are reliably clear. Fall gives cold, still nights and the best light on the Palisades.
- Peak
- July through September
- Shoulder
- Late June and October
Summer
Snow off the pass by mid-July most years, storms in the afternoon.
Crowd level · high
- Advantage: Dusy Basin fully open
- Advantage: Shortest eastside approach to the John Muir Trail
- Advantage: Warm enough to camp on the slabs
- Challenge: The most contested Bishop-area trailhead
- Challenge: Storms over open granite
- Challenge: Mosquitoes at the lower lakes in early summer
Fall
Cold, dry, stable. Quota season runs to November 1.
Crowd level · moderate
- Advantage: Quiet basin
- Advantage: Clear air for Palisades views
- Advantage: Cancellations show up as trips get called off
- Challenge: Hard freezes above 11,000 feet
- Challenge: Short days
- Challenge: Early storms can shut the pass
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
73°
55°
Tue
81°
50°
Wed
87°
56°
Thu
90°
62°
Fri
90°
64°
Sat
89°
67°
Sun
88°
66°
Bishop Pass (JMT) photography guide
Golden Hour
Sunrise on Mt. Agassiz and the Inconsolable Range from Long Lake, with the water still.
Best Light
Late afternoon in Dusy Basin, when the Palisades catch the last light across the tarns.
Beat the Crowds
Most day hikers turn around at Long Lake or Bishop Lake. Anything over the pass thins out immediately.
Classic Shots
- Long Lake with Chocolate Peak behind
- The glacial-melt tint in the lakes above Saddlerock
- Dusy Basin slabs with the Palisade Crest above
Bishop Pass (JMT) rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- A bear canister: Inyo requires containers for food and trash here
- A stove, since fires are prohibited above 10,400 feet and camping is above that line
- Warm layers for a basin that freezes most nights
- Water treatment
- Sun protection on open granite above treeline
Rules & regulations
- 01No campfires above 10,400 feet
- 02Bear containers are required for storage of food and trash
- 03Maximum group size is 15
- 04Sequoia and Kings Canyon wilderness regulations apply once you enter the park, including no pets, no bear spray, a two-night camp limit for Dusy Basin, and an off-trail group size of 8 in Dusy and Palisade Basin
- 05The Chocolate Lake loop is not recommended for stock
- 06Trips going toward Treasure Lakes are a different reservation
Hazards & considerations
- A trailhead already near 9,800 feet, so altitude hits fast for valley arrivals
- Afternoon thunderstorms on open slabs with no shelter
- Snow on the pass into early summer
- Bears working the lower lakes, which is why containers are required
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Bishop Pass (JMT).
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Bishop Pass (JMT) · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Bishop Pass (JMT) FAQ
Can I hike the John Muir Trail on a Bishop Pass permit?
Yes. Inyo National Forest states that a permit for Bishop Pass may continue on the John Muir Trail. The trail crosses the pass, runs through Dusy Basin and meets the JMT in LeConte Canyon.
How long can I camp in Dusy Basin on a Bishop Pass permit?
Two nights. Sequoia and Kings Canyon wilderness regulations set a two-night camp limit for Dusy Basin, along with an off-trail group size limit of eight there and in Palisade Basin.
Is the Treasure Lakes trail included on a Bishop Pass permit?
No. Inyo states that trips going toward Treasure Lakes are a different reservation. Check the area map and book the right entry point.
Do I need a bear canister for a Bishop Pass permit?
Yes. Inyo requires bear containers for storage of food and trash at this entry point.
Bishop Pass (JMT) trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
Sign in to report trail conditions.
Questions
No questions yet
Be the first to ask about Bishop Pass (JMT).
Alternatives to a Bishop Pass (JMT) permit
- Same AreaPermit required
Piute Pass (North Lake)
The next drainage north, over Piute Pass into Humphreys Basin.
Tradeoffs
Gentler grade and more open country, without the direct Dusy Basin payoff.
- Easier AlternativePermit required
Treasure Lakes - South Lake
A short trip from the same trailhead into the Treasure Lakes basin.
Tradeoffs
Much less mileage and usually easier to reserve, but it does not cross the crest.
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Pine Creek Pass
A longer eastside crossing to French Canyon, Royce Lakes and Humphreys Basin.
Tradeoffs
Twenty miles to the JMT instead of a short crossing, but far less competition for permits.
Where to stay near Bishop Pass (JMT)
- Pleasant Valley Pit CampgroundAlabama Hills
- Horton Creek CampgroundAlabama Hills
- Four Jeffrey campgroundInyo National Forest
- All California campgrounds
Plan the full trip, not just the permit
Build your full itinerary start to finish
Add your dates and get a day-by-day plan: what needs a permit, what gear to bring, and one link to share with your whole group to coordinate every step.
No permit needed to start
One tick helps us more than you’d think
Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our permit pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Takes less than a minute.