Lottery9/10
Mt. Whitney Overnight
Multi-day permits for Mount Whitney, popular for acclimatization....
View Mount Whitney Overnight Permit permit details and availability
LotteryDay UseVery High Demand
Mount Whitney Day Hike Permit
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Climb the highest peak in the contiguous United States (14,505 ft). The main Whitney Trail is highly competitive.
“Stand atop the highest point in the contiguous United States, where on a clear day you can see over 100 miles in every direction.”
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Mt. Whitney Day Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodLottery
Demand LevelExtremely High10/10
SeasonMay 1 - November 1
Cost$15
Daily Quota100 permits
Lottery Odds~10-15%
Max Group Size15 people
Key Information
Key Dates
Lottery OpensFebruary 1
Lottery ClosesMarch 15
SeasonMay 1 - November 1
Permit Details
TypeDay Use
Booking MethodLottery
Demand Level10/10
LocationCA
Pro Tips
- •Apply for multiple dates
- •Weekdays have better odds
- •Monitor cancellations
- •Consider 'Whitney-from-the-side' routes via other permits
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
21.4 miles
Elevation Gain
6,656 ft
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
12-18 hours
Difficulty
StrenuousElevation Range
8,360 - 14,505 ft
Highlights
- •A 21.4-mile round-trip day hike with over 6,600 feet of elevation gain
- •12-18 hours of continuous hiking, typically starting between 2-5am
- •High altitude—summit exceeds 14,000 feet with thin air
- •The infamous 99 Switchbacks climbing the headwall to Trail Crest
- •Exposed ridge walk for the final 2 miles to the summit
Best Time to Visit
Mid-July through mid-September offers the most reliable conditions. June may have snow on the 99 Switchbacks requiring ice axe and crampons. Late September can see early season snow. Weekday permits are easier to obtain than weekends.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Acute altitude sickness—acclimatize in Lone Pine area before attempting
- !Lightning—the summit is extremely exposed; descend immediately if storms approach
- !Hypothermia—conditions can change rapidly; be prepared for cold and wind
- !Rock fall—stay alert, especially on the switchbacks
- !Navigation in dark—many hikers get off trail in the pre-dawn hours
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Verify your email and add payment info ahead of time.
2
Apply during the lottery window
Submit your application between February 1 and March 15. Apply for multiple dates to increase your odds.
3
If unsuccessful, monitor cancellations
Permits get cancelled daily. Peak cancellation times are 24-48 hours before the trip date.
4
Set up PermitSnag alerts
Get instant notifications when cancellations happen. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.
When to Go
Peak: Mid-July through AugustShoulder: September
Conditions
Snow-free above 10,000 ft by mid-July most years. Afternoon thunderstorms common.
Crowd Level
HighAdvantages
- +Longest days
- +Warmest temperatures
- +All routes accessible
Challenges
- !Mosquitoes through July
- !Afternoon storms
- !Crowded trailheads
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand5/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk2/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment5/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Well-conditioned hikers experienced with high altitude and very long days. Must be comfortable with significant elevation and 12+ hours of continuous hiking.
Recommended Experience
Should have experience hiking above 10,000 feet and have completed at least one 15+ mile day hike with 4,000+ feet of gain.
Not Recommended For
Those without experience at high altitude, anyone with heart or respiratory conditions, or hikers who haven't completed a 15+ mile strenuous hike.
About This Permit
Mount Whitney (14,505 ft) is the highest summit in the contiguous United States and the most coveted peak in American hiking. The main Whitney Trail is a non-technical Class 1 hike, but its 21.4-mile round trip with 6,656 feet of elevation gain makes it one of the most strenuous day hikes in North America.
Most successful summit attempts require starting between 2-5am to reach the summit by midday and descend before afternoon thunderstorms. The trail passes through the Whitney Zone, requiring a permit year-round.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Mount Whitney has been drawing mountaineers since Clarence King first attempted to climb it in 1871 (though he accidentally summited a nearby peak). The mountain was named for Josiah Whitney, head of the California Geological Survey. Today, it remains the most coveted summit in the Lower 48—a pilgrimage for peak baggers and a testament to human endurance.
The Route
The Whitney Trail begins at Whitney Portal (8,360 ft), climbing through a Jeffrey pine forest along the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek. At mile 2.8, you pass Lone Pine Lake—the boundary of the Whitney Zone, where your permit becomes mandatory.
The trail steepens through Bighorn Park to Outpost Camp at mile 3.5, a sheltered area popular with backpackers. Beyond, you traverse past the forbidden-to-camp Mirror Lake and climb to Trail Camp (12,039 ft), the last water source and highest legal campsite.
From Trail Camp, the trail attacks the headwall via the legendary 99 Switchbacks—steep, rocky zigzags that climb 1,600 feet to Trail Crest (13,645 ft), where you suddenly see the Western Sierra. The final 2 miles traverse an exposed granite ridge, passing gaps in the rock called 'The Windows' that offer vertigo-inducing views straight down. The stone summit hut appears, and then you're standing on top of the Lower 48.
The Feeling
The pre-dawn start from Whitney Portal is disorienting—headlamps bobbing in the darkness, the trail a faint ribbon through black forest. As light seeps into the sky, you're already above timberline, trudging across granite moonscape. The infamous 99 Switchbacks seem to go on forever, but then you crest Trail Crest and see the Western Sierra spread below you like a rumpled blanket of stone and snow. The final ridge walk to the summit is surreal—you're higher than anything else for a hundred miles, the air thin and sharp, the Owens Valley impossibly far below.
Trailhead Information
Whitney Portal
8,360 ft elevationThe only trailhead for the main Whitney Trail. Located at the end of Whitney Portal Road, 13 miles west of Lone Pine.
Restrooms
Water Available
Moderate
Parking
Overnight parking lot fills quickly. Arrive the evening before or use the hiker shuttle from Lone Pine.
Getting There
From Lone Pine, take Whitney Portal Road west for 13 miles. Road is paved but steep and winding.
Nearest Services
Whitney Portal Store has food, gear, and showers (seasonal). Lone Pine has full services including motels, restaurants, and an excellent mountaineering store.
Rules & Regulations
- •Permit required year-round for all Whitney Zone entry (beyond Lone Pine Lake)
- •WAG bag required—all human waste must be packed out
- •Bear-resistant food storage required for overnight trips
- •Group size limited to 15 people
- •Dogs prohibited on Whitney Trail
- •No campfires permitted in the Whitney Zone
Gear Checklist
Required
- WAG bag (human waste bag) for packing out waste
- Headlamp with extra batteries (pre-dawn start essential)
- Minimum 4 liters of water
- Warm layers (temperatures can be 40°F colder at summit than trailhead)
- Rain/wind jacket
Recommended
- Trekking poles (invaluable for the rocky trail and 99 Switchbacks)
- Sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses (intense UV at altitude)
- High-calorie snacks and electrolyte replacement
- Altitude medication (Diamox) if prone to altitude sickness
- Emergency bivy/space blanket
Key Landmarks
↑
6,656ft
Gain↓
6,656ft
Loss⛰️
14,505ft
High📏
10.7mi
Distance📐
10.9%
Avg GradeClick on a marker to view details•9 landmarks
Landmarks (9)
Lottery Statistics
~10-15%
estimated success rate
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Safety & Planning
🚨
Emergency Info
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🐻
Food Storage
Check bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations in the PermitSnag app.
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Mt. Whitney Day FAQ
How do I get a Mt. Whitney Day permit?
Mt. Whitney Day permits are obtained through a lottery system. The lottery typically opens February 1. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.
When is the best time to visit Mt. Whitney Day?
The season typically runs May 1 to November 1. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Mt. Whitney Day permit?
This permit has a demand score of 10/10, making it extremely competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
What if I can't get a Mt. Whitney Day permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.
Photography Guide
Golden Hour
Summit sunrise is extraordinary—arrive before dawn for views of the shadow of Whitney stretching across the Owens Valley.
Best Light
Early morning light on the eastern face from the Alabama Hills is the classic roadside shot. For summit photography, pre-dawn to early morning offers the best visibility before afternoon haze.
Beat the Crowds
Start at 2-3am to reach the summit for sunrise and have the top to yourself. Most hikers arrive between 10am-2pm.
Classic Shots
- 📍Summit sunrise with shadow of Whitney extending across the valley
- 📍The Windows gap with Guitar Lake far below
- 📍Trail Camp with the headwall and switchbacks above
- 📍Summit hut with the John Muir plaque
- 📍Evening alpenglow from Alabama Hills
Can't Get a Mt. Whitney Day Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Mountaineer's Route
Similar ExperienceA shorter (12 miles RT) but more technical Class 3 route up the North Fork. Involves exposed scrambling and route-finding.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Same permit system, but route is more dangerous and requires mountaineering experience. Not recommended for hiking-only visitors.
Mount Whitney from Shepherd Pass
Similar ExperienceA multi-day approach from the west via Shepherd Pass, summiting Whitney as part of a longer backpacking trip.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Much easier to get a permit (Inyo NF general wilderness permit), but requires 3-4 days and significant mileage.
Mount Langley
Easier AlternativeCalifornia's 9th highest peak at 14,042 feet, climbed via Cottonwood Lakes. Similar elevation with far fewer crowds.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A 'fourteener' without the Whitney crowds, but lacks the prestige of climbing the highest point.
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