Classic Idyllwild approach.
Plan your San Jacinto Wilderness trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Walk-up permit
How to get Devil's Slide
Summer weekends on Devil's Slide take a quota permit from the San Jacinto Ranger District. Mount San Jacinto State Park: "The USFS maintains the very popular Devils Slide Trail. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, they operate a quota system for the Devils Slide Trail on Saturdays and Sundays. On these days, you must acquire your permit for Devils Slide Trail from the San Jacinto Ranger District located at 54270 Pine Crest, Idyllwild, CA 92549." Call (909) 382-2921. For an overnight, mail the forest's Wilderness Visitor Permit Application and allow 10 days for it to come back.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we alert on.
Devil's Slide permit season
- max group size
- 12people
How to get a Devil's Slide permit
- Type
- Overnight
- Location
- CA
How this permit is issued
Official permit page →Step 1: How this permit is issued
Summer weekends on Devil's Slide take a quota permit from the San Jacinto Ranger District. Mount San Jacinto State Park: "The USFS maintains the very popular Devils Slide Trail. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, they operate a quota system for the Devils Slide Trail on Saturdays and Sundays. On these days, you must acquire your permit for Devils Slide Trail from the San Jacinto Ranger District located at 54270 Pine Crest, Idyllwild, CA 92549." Call (909) 382-2921. For an overnight, mail the forest's Wilderness Visitor Permit Application and allow 10 days for it to come back.
Step 2: Check the agency page before you go
Fees, hours and closures change. Confirm the current process at U.S. Forest Service before your trip.
Step 3: Have backup plans
Office hours move, ground closes, and popular trailheads get busy. Know an alternative route or date before you drive out.
More on Devil's Slide: Live availability activity
How much a Devil's Slide permit costs
Devil's Slide permit fee: Free.
When to hike Devil's Slide
Devil's Slide rules, gear and safety
Rules & regulations
- 01A free permit is required for day hiking and overnight trips within the federal wilderness area.
- 02Group size limited to 12 people maximum.
- 03No campfires allowed at any time.
- 04Camping permits cover five zones: Chinquapin, Skunk Cabbage, Tahquitz, North Rim and Desert View. Permits are available up to 90 days in advance.
- 05A separate permit is needed for each trip.
- 06Camping on Forest Service ground needs a Forest Service permit; camping in the state wilderness needs a state permit. The two agencies honour each other's day-use permits but not overnight ones.
- 07Walking the whole PCT? "Visitors with a valid PCT Long-Distance Permit do not need to obtain an additional permit from the San Bernardino National Forest for hiking and camping in the federal San Jacinto Wilderness."
- 08Summer weekends are quota'd: from Memorial Day to Labor Day the Forest Service runs a quota on Devil's Slide on Saturdays and Sundays, and on those days you must get your permit from the San Jacinto Ranger District at 54270 Pine Crest, Idyllwild.
- 09An Adventure Pass or Interagency Pass is required to park at the Humber Park trailhead.
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Devil's Slide.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Devil's Slide · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Devil's Slide FAQ
Is there a quota on the Devil's Slide Trail permit?
On summer weekends, yes. Mount San Jacinto State Park spells it out: "From Memorial Day to Labor Day, they operate a quota system for the Devils Slide Trail on Saturdays and Sundays. On these days, you must acquire your permit for Devils Slide Trail from the San Jacinto Ranger District located at 54270 Pine Crest, Idyllwild, CA 92549." Ring (909) 382-2921. Midweek and out of season there is no cap to beat.
Can I get a Devil's Slide permit online?
Not the quota'd ones. The Forest Service publishes a free online day-hike form for the San Jacinto Wilderness generally, but Devil's Slide weekend permits go through the Idyllwild district office, and overnights go through the mailed Wilderness Visitor Permit Application. Recreation.gov sells nothing here.
What does a Devil's Slide permit cost?
Nothing. "A free permit is required for day hiking and overnight trips within the federal wilderness area." You do need to pay to leave the car, though: "An Adventure Pass or Interagency Pass is required to park at the trailhead."
Devil's Slide trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
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