Yosemite Wilderness Permit — Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy)
Yosemite National Park · California
Wilderness permit for overnight camping starting from the Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) trailhead in Yosemite National Park.
Get an alert when Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) opens on your dates.
When it opens
- 24 weeks
- Lottery opens 24 weeks before your entry date, at 12:01 am Pacific60% of the quotaYou apply on Recreation.gov.
- 1 week
- First come, first served from seven days before your entry date, at 7 am Pacific, until three days before40% of the quotaYou book on Recreation.gov.
Source: recreation.gov
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) were gone within 10 minutes.
Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) reservation dates
We alert you to cancellations and the 7 am release. Your start day also sets your lottery week.
October 2026
- Your start date
- Same lottery week: one application covers all 7 days
- Outside the Hetch Hetchy reservation season (Apr 24 to Oct 18)
YOUR START
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Your lottery week is the October 4 to 10 lottery. It opens 178 days before you start.
1 · APPLY
Sun, Apr 12, 2026 to Sat, Apr 18
Opens Sunday 12:01 am, closes Saturday 11:59 pm Pacific. Up to eight options on one application.
Passed for this start
2 · RESULTS, THEN ACCEPT
Mon, Apr 20
Results by 5 pm. Accept by Thu, Apr 23, 11:59 pm.
Passed for this start
3 · YOUR 7-DAY RELEASE
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 7:00 am PDT
The other 40% of the day's quota, first-come, first-served on Recreation.gov. Be logged in before 7.
Opens within a day
YOUR TIMELINE · LOTTERY WEEK, THEN THE LAST WEEK BEFORE YOU START
- SUN 12:01 AM · OPENSSun, Apr 12, 2026Applications open
- SAT 11:59 PM · CLOSESSat, Apr 18Applications close
- MON BY 5 PMMon, Apr 20Results
- THU 11:59 PMThu, Apr 23Accept by
- FRI 9 AMFri, Apr 24Leftovers go first-come
- 23 WEEKSCancellations any day. We alert you.
- 7 DAYS OUT · 7 AM PDTWed, Sep 30, 2026The other 40% open
- LAST DAY TO RESERVESun, Oct 4Three days before you start
- YOU STARTWed, Oct 7, 2026Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy)
Source: National Park Service, Yosemite wilderness permit reservation window, 2026 table, and the wilderness permit FAQ. Times are Pacific.
Aspen Valley daily quota
3 people a day. 2 by lottery, 1 seven days out.
Counted in people, not permits
Lottery, 24 weeks out
60% of the day
2
7 days out, 7 am PDT
40% of the day
1
NPS trailheads table: Aspen Valley | 2 | 1 | No | No food lockers
- max group size
- 15people
How to get an Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) permit
As of September 2026, Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) in Yosemite National Park, California requires a permit issued via reservation. Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) rates 5/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens.
- Type
- Overnight
- Location
- CA
Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have 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.
More on Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy): Live availability activityWhen Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) permits open up
When to hike Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy)
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
85°
44°
Wed
88°
55°
Thu
88°
56°
Fri
89°
55°
Sat
92°
54°
Sun
90°
56°
Mon
90°
52°
Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) rules, gear and safety
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy).
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) FAQ
How do I get a Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) permit?
PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) permits use a reservation system.
When is the best time to visit Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy)?
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) permit?
This permit has a demand score of 5/10, making it moderately competitive.
What if I can't get a Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.
Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions(2)
Questions
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Trip Reports
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Write the First ReportAlternatives to an Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy) permit
Where to stay near Aspen Valley (Hetch Hetchy)
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- All California campgrounds
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