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Yosemite Wilderness Permit — Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) permit area in Yosemite National Park - backcountry hiking destination
Each entry point carries its own quota

Yosemite Wilderness Permit — Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy)

Yosemite National Park · California

Wilderness permit for overnight camping starting from the Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) trailhead in Yosemite National Park.

Get an alert when Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) opens on your dates.

Get alerts for your Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) dates

A Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) permit is booked by the day you start. Tell us every date you'd go and we'll ping you the second one of them opens up.

Leave the second date blank if only one day works. A wider window catches more openings.

Party

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 Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) were gone within 10 minutes.

Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) reservation dates

We alert you to cancellations and the 7 am release. Your start day also sets your lottery week.

October 2026

19202122232425262728293031
  • 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

  1. SUN 12:01 AM · OPENSSun, Apr 12, 2026Applications open
  2. SAT 11:59 PM · CLOSESSat, Apr 18Applications close
  3. MON BY 5 PMMon, Apr 20Results
  4. THU 11:59 PMThu, Apr 23Accept by
  5. FRI 9 AMFri, Apr 24Leftovers go first-come
  6. 23 WEEKSCancellations any day. We alert you.
  7. 7 DAYS OUT · 7 AM PDTWed, Sep 30, 2026The other 40% open
  8. LAST DAY TO RESERVESun, Oct 4Three days before you start
  9. YOU STARTWed, Oct 7, 2026Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy)

Source: National Park Service, Yosemite wilderness permit reservation window, 2026 table, and the wilderness permit FAQ. Times are Pacific.

Cottonwood Creek daily quota

20 people a day. 12 by lottery, 8 seven days out.

Counted in people, not permits

Lottery, 24 weeks out

60% of the day

12

7 days out, 7 am PDT

40% of the day

8

NPS trailheads table: Cottonwood Creek | 12 | 8 | No | No food lockers

max group size
15people

How to get a Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) permit

As of September 2026, Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) in Yosemite National Park, California requires a permit issued via reservation. Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) rates 5/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens.

Type
Overnight
Location
CA

  1. Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account

    Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.

  2. Step 2: Know the release schedule

    Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.

  3. Step 3: Be ready when permits drop

    Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.

  4. Step 4: Monitor for cancellations

    If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Book at Recreation.gov
Learn more:
Best booking timesCancellation huntingRecreation.gov tips

More on Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy): Live availability activityWhen Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) permits open up

When to hike Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy)

Weather Forecast

Trailhead (5,000 ft)

⚠️

Backcountry Tips

  • Windy conditions: Bring wind-resistant shelter if camping.

Today

☀️

76°

58°

Wed

☀️

85°

63°

Thu

☀️

88°

65°

Fri

☁️

90°

63°

Sat

☁️

89°

64°

Sun

☀️

89°

65°

Mon

☀️

87°

66°

View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.

Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) rules, gear and safety

Safety & planning

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy).

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.

Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) · 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.

Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) FAQ

How do I get a Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) permit?

PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) permits use a reservation system.

When is the best time to visit Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy)?

Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.

How competitive is the Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) permit?

This permit has a demand score of 5/10, making it moderately competitive.

What if I can't get a Cottonwood Creek (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.

Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) trail conditions and trip reports

Trail Conditions

No active conditions reported

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Questions

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Trip Reports

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Alternatives to a Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy) permit

Where to stay near Cottonwood Creek (Hetch Hetchy)

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