Yosemite Wilderness Permit — Happy Isles to Illilouette
Yosemite National Park · California
Wilderness permit for overnight camping starting from the Happy Isles to Illilouette trailhead in Yosemite National Park.
Get an alert when Happy Isles to Illilouette 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 Happy Isles to Illilouette were gone within 10 minutes.
Happy Isles to Illilouette 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 Yosemite Valley 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, 2026Happy Isles to Illilouette
Source: National Park Service, Yosemite wilderness permit reservation window, 2026 table, and the wilderness permit FAQ. Times are Pacific.
Happy Isles to Illilouette (no Donohue Pass) daily quota
5 people a day. 3 by lottery, 2 seven days out.
Counted in people, not permits
Lottery, 24 weeks out
60% of the day
3
7 days out, 7 am PDT
40% of the day
2
NPS trailheads table: Happy Isles to Illilouette (no Donohue Pass) | 3 | 2 | Flush | Park at trailhead parking*
- daily quota
- 5people
- max group size
- 15people
How to get a Happy Isles to Illilouette permit
As of September 2026, Happy Isles to Illilouette in Yosemite National Park, California requires a permit issued via reservation. Happy Isles to Illilouette is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Happy Isles to Illilouette permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The permit season for Happy Isles to Illilouette runs April 24 through October 18.
- Type
- Overnight
- Location
- Sierra Nevada, 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.
Happy Isles to Illilouette pro tips
- Three lottery spots a day means you should be applying every week the moment the window opens
- Two of the five spots are released seven days out, which is the realistic path in
- Take the John Muir Trail up rather than the Mist Trail if you are carrying a heavy pack. It is 0.8 miles longer and much less slippery
- Illilouette Fall at 6.6 miles is the marker: you are not legal to camp until you are past it and into the basin
- Park at the trailhead lot past Curry Village, since there is no parking at Happy Isles itself
More on Happy Isles to Illilouette: Live availability activityWhen Happy Isles to Illilouette permits open up
How much a Happy Isles to Illilouette permit costs
Happy Isles to Illilouette permit fee: Recreation.gov permit 445859: a $10 lottery application plus $5 per person if you win. A reservation made after the lottery costs a one-time $10 per permit plus $5 per person instead.
The Happy Isles to Illilouette hike
- Route Type
- Varies
- Duration
- 1-3 nights
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
Happy Isles to Illilouette landmarks
- 1Nevada Fall (top) via the Mist Trail
NPS mileage. The John Muir Trail alternative is 3.5 miles.
- 2Illilouette Fall
NPS mileage. Camping is prohibited at the top of the fall and along the Panorama Trail.
- 3Mono Meadow
Deeper into the basin, on the way toward the Glacier Point Road side.
- 4Ottoway Lake
Under the Clark Range. A three-night objective from this trailhead.
Five people a day. That is the entire Happy Isles to Illilouette quota, and it buys the quietest basin within a day's walk of Yosemite Valley.
About this permit
Happy Isles to Illilouette is one of three Happy Isles wilderness trailheads in Yosemite National Park. NPS divides the Happy Isles quota by where you intend to camp, and this one sends you over Nevada Fall and west along the Panorama Cliff into the Illilouette basin.
NPS sets the daily quota at 5 people: 3 reservable by lottery 24 weeks in advance and 2 released first-come, first-served one week in advance. It is the smallest quota of any Yosemite Valley trailhead.
The camping rules are the whole permit. You may not camp at Little Yosemite Valley on the first night, you may not camp along the Panorama Trail or at the top of Illilouette Fall, and you must reach the Illilouette basin before finding legal ground. NPS also notes this trailhead is not Half Dome eligible and cannot be used to exit Yosemite over Donohue Pass. Valley reservations run April 24 to October 18, 2026.
The route
From the trailhead beyond Curry Village you climb the Mist or John Muir Trail past Vernal and Nevada Falls. NPS lists Nevada Fall at 2.7 miles by the Mist Trail and 3.5 by the John Muir Trail.
The Panorama traverse is where the permit becomes specific. NPS says you may not camp at Little Yosemite Valley on your first night, and that backpackers must make it to Illilouette Basin before finding allowable camping. Camping is not allowed along the Panorama Trail or at the top of Illilouette Fall either. NPS puts Illilouette Fall at 6.6 miles from Happy Isles, so the basin above it is your first legal ground.
Beyond the basin the country opens toward the Clark Range. NPS lists Mono Meadow at 9.6 miles and Ottoway Lake at 19.5, which makes this a real multi-day objective.
Why it matters
Happy Isles is the busiest starting point in the park, so NPS splits its quota three ways by where you intend to camp. This is the smallest of the three. NPS describes the route as following the John Muir and Mist Trails to the top of Nevada Fall and then traversing Panorama Cliff toward Illilouette Creek. You walk past the most photographed waterfalls in California and then turn away from all of it.
The feeling
The first three miles are a stair climb through spray and crowds. Then you top out at Nevada Fall, swing west onto the Panorama Cliff, and the noise stops. By the time you drop into the Illilouette basin the only people left are the four others who got the same permit.
Happy Isles to Illilouette hike highlights
- A daily quota of 5 people: 3 by lottery 24 weeks out, 2 released one week out
- Flush toilets at the trailhead per the NPS trailhead table
- A first day that climbs from about 4,000 feet in the Valley and cannot end short of the Illilouette basin
- Heavy day-hiker traffic for the first three miles, then almost nobody
- Parking at the trailhead lot beyond Curry Village, about half a mile from Happy Isles
How hard the Happy Isles to Illilouette 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 clarity2/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route3/5
Best for: Experienced backpackers who want Valley scenery and then real solitude, and who can commit to a first day that has no legal short version.
Recommended experience: One prior trip with 2,000 feet of gain carrying a full pack.
Not recommended for: First-time backpackers, anyone hoping to sleep at Little Yosemite Valley, and Half Dome hopefuls.
When to hike Happy Isles to Illilouette
Best time to visit
Valley reservations open April 24 in 2026, and spring is when Illilouette Fall is at its best. Summer is hot on the climb out of the Valley. Late September gives you cool climbing weather and a basin that is essentially empty.
- Peak
- June through August
- Shoulder
- May and late September
Spring
Big water on the Mist Trail and Illilouette Fall. Snow can linger in the upper basin.
Crowd level · moderate
- Advantage: Waterfalls at peak
- Advantage: Cool temperatures for the Valley climb
- Advantage: Reservations open from April 24
- Challenge: The Mist Trail lives up to its name and soaks everything
- Challenge: Snow and high creek crossings in the upper basin
- Challenge: Slick rock on the descent
Summer
Hot on the climb, dry in the basin, storms most afternoons.
Crowd level · high
- Advantage: Basin fully open and snow-free
- Advantage: Long days for the push to legal camping
- Advantage: Warm nights
- Challenge: Valley heat on a 2,000-foot climb with a pack
- Challenge: Crowds on the first three miles
- Challenge: Only 5 permits a day to fight over
Fall
Cool, dry and quiet. Reservations run to October 18.
Crowd level · low
- Advantage: Best climbing weather of the year
- Advantage: The basin is empty
- Advantage: First-come, first-served spots are realistic
- Challenge: Waterfalls are much reduced
- Challenge: Short days for a long first push
- Challenge: Cold nights in the basin
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
51°
34°
Tue
63°
41°
Wed
66°
48°
Thu
72°
45°
Fri
70°
46°
Sat
72°
47°
Sun
68°
46°
Happy Isles to Illilouette photography guide
Golden Hour
Late light from the Panorama Cliff traverse looking back at Half Dome and the Merced canyon.
Best Light
Early morning at Illilouette Fall before the sun clears the rim, when the spray is still soft.
Beat the Crowds
The crowd ends at Nevada Fall. Everything past the Panorama junction is yours.
Classic Shots
- Nevada Fall from the top of the Mist Trail
- The Panorama Cliff traverse with Half Dome in profile
- Illilouette Creek in the basin above the fall
Happy Isles to Illilouette rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- An allowed bear-resistant food canister
- At least two litres of water capacity for the climb, which is exposed above Vernal Fall
- Rain shell for the Mist Trail, which soaks hikers through in high water
- Water treatment
- Trowel and bags to pack out toilet paper
Rules & regulations
- 01You may not camp at Little Yosemite Valley on your first night
- 02Camping is not allowed along the Panorama Trail or at the top of Illilouette Fall
- 03Backpackers must reach Illilouette Basin before finding allowable camping
- 04Hiking over Donohue Pass and hiking the John Muir Trail is not available for this trailhead
- 05Half Dome is not available with this trailhead. It needs a separate day-use Half Dome permit
- 06Maximum group size is 15 people, or 8 for cross-country hiking more than a quarter mile off trail
- 07Allowed bear-resistant food canisters are required throughout Yosemite Wilderness
- 08Camp at least 100 feet from any water source and from any trail
Hazards & considerations
- Wet granite steps on the Mist Trail, the single most common injury spot on this climb
- Over 2,000 feet of gain on day one with a full pack, in Valley heat
- Afternoon thunderstorms on the exposed Panorama Cliff traverse
- Bears throughout the Little Yosemite Valley and Illilouette drainages
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Happy Isles to Illilouette.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Happy Isles to Illilouette · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Happy Isles to Illilouette FAQ
How many people per day get a Happy Isles to Illilouette permit?
NPS sets the quota at 5 people per day: 3 by lottery 24 weeks in advance and 2 first-come, first-served one week in advance. It is the smallest quota of any Yosemite Valley trailhead.
Can I camp at Little Yosemite Valley on a Happy Isles to Illilouette permit?
No. NPS states you may not camp at Little Yosemite Valley on your first night. Backpackers must reach the Illilouette Basin before finding allowable camping, and camping is also prohibited along the Panorama Trail and at the top of Illilouette Fall.
What is the difference between the three Happy Isles wilderness permits?
NPS splits the Happy Isles quota by where you camp. Happy Isles to Illilouette is for the Illilouette basin, Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley is for camping at LYV, and Happy Isles to Past LYV is the Donohue Pass eligible option for long-distance hikers.
Can I hike Half Dome on a Happy Isles to Illilouette permit?
No. NPS states Half Dome is not available with this trailhead. A separate day-use Half Dome permit is required.
Happy Isles to Illilouette trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions(1)
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Write the First ReportAlternatives to a Happy Isles to Illilouette permit
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Glacier Point to Illilouette
The same basin, reached downhill from the Glacier Point Road instead of up from the Valley.
Tradeoffs
A quota of 30 people a day instead of 5, and you skip the 2,000-foot climb, but Glacier Point Road has to be open.
- Same AreaPermit required
Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley
Down the Panorama Trail to the Little Yosemite Valley backpackers campground.
Tradeoffs
Half Dome eligible and easier walking, but you are locked into the LYV campground on night one.
- Easier AlternativePermit required
Ostrander (Lost Bear Meadow)
A Glacier Point Road trailhead into the lake country south of the Illilouette drainage.
Tradeoffs
Quieter and much easier to reserve at 25 people a day, without the Valley waterfall approach.
Where to stay near Happy Isles to Illilouette
- Yosemite Creek CampgroundYosemite National Park
- Porcupine Flat CampgroundYosemite National Park
- White Wolf CampgroundYosemite National Park
- All California campgrounds
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