Yosemite Wilderness Permit — Yosemite Falls
Yosemite National Park · California
Wilderness permit for overnight camping starting from the Yosemite Falls trailhead in Yosemite National Park.
Get an alert when Yosemite Falls 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 Yosemite Falls were gone within 10 minutes.
Yosemite Falls 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, 2026Yosemite Falls
Source: National Park Service, Yosemite wilderness permit reservation window, 2026 table, and the wilderness permit FAQ. Times are Pacific.
Yosemite Falls daily quota
25 people a day. 15 by lottery, 10 seven days out.
Counted in people, not permits
Lottery, 24 weeks out
60% of the day
15
7 days out, 7 am PDT
40% of the day
10
NPS trailheads table: Yosemite Falls | 15 | 10 | Flush (in Camp 4) | Park at Yosemite Falls parking.*
- daily quota
- 25people
- max group size
- 15people
How to get a Yosemite Falls permit
As of September 2026, Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park, California requires a permit issued via reservation. Yosemite Falls is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Yosemite Falls permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The permit season for Yosemite Falls 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.
Yosemite Falls pro tips
- Start the climb before sunrise in summer. The switchbacks face south and there is no shade
- Carry more water than feels sensible, because the rim runs dry by late summer
- Camp half a mile back from the rim, which is a rule rather than advice
- April and October are the good months on this trail, not July
- Park at the Yosemite Falls lot, which NPS names for this trailhead
More on Yosemite Falls: Live availability activityWhen Yosemite Falls permits open up
How much a Yosemite Falls permit costs
Yosemite Falls 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 Yosemite Falls hike
- Route Type
- Varies
- Duration
- 1-3 nights
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
Yosemite Falls landmarks
- 1Columbia Rock
The first viewpoint on the switchbacks.
- 2Top of Yosemite Falls
Day use only. No camping here or nearby.
- 3Eagle Peak
The high point of the Three Brothers on the north rim.
- 4North Dome
Facing Half Dome across the Valley. No camping on the dome.
Over 2,500 feet of switchbacks in about three and a half miles to the north rim of Yosemite Valley, and then the whole quiet side of the park.
About this permit
Yosemite Falls is a Yosemite Valley wilderness trailhead climbing the north rim from Camp 4, in Yosemite National Park.
NPS sets the daily quota at 25 people: 15 reservable by lottery 24 weeks in advance and 10 released first-come, first-served one week in advance. NPS asks permit holders to park at the Yosemite Falls parking area.
The camping restrictions are the thing to plan around. Your first night must be north of Yosemite Valley and south of Tioga Road, at least one air mile from any road and four trail miles from the Valley, and at least half a mile back from the rim, with no camping at or near the top of the falls, at Yosemite Point or on North Dome. Half Dome is not available with this trailhead. Valley reservations run April 24 to October 18, 2026.
The route
The trail starts at Camp 4 in Yosemite Valley. NPS puts Columbia Rock at 1.2 miles, the top of Yosemite Falls at 3.6 and Yosemite Point at 4.2.
Where you can camp is tightly drawn. NPS requires your first night's camp to be north of Yosemite Valley and south of Tioga Road, at least one air mile from any road and four trail miles from Yosemite Valley, and at least half a mile back from the rim. The area around the top of Yosemite Falls is day use only, and camping is not permitted at or near the top of the falls, at Yosemite Point, or on North Dome.
Beyond that the rim opens up. NPS lists Eagle Peak at 6.0 miles, North Dome at 7.9, El Capitan at 7.9 and the Tioga Road at 9.2 via Porcupine Creek.
Why it matters
NPS calls this a very strenuous hike up switchbacks to the top of the falls, the north rim of the Valley, and beyond, gaining over 2,500 feet in about 3.5 miles. Past the rim it is the gateway to North Dome, El Capitan and the Tioga Road country, on trails that see a fraction of the traffic below.
The feeling
The climb is unrelenting and full of day hikers to Columbia Rock. Above the falls the crowd evaporates and you are walking the rim with the Valley 3,000 feet below on one side and forest on the other.
Yosemite Falls hike highlights
- A daily quota of 25 people: 15 by lottery 24 weeks out, 10 released one week out
- Over 2,500 feet of climbing in about 3.5 miles, per NPS
- Flush toilets in Camp 4 at the trailhead
- Parking at the Yosemite Falls parking area
- A camping zone bounded by Yosemite Valley to the south and Tioga Road to the north
How hard the Yosemite Falls hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required4/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
- Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential3/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity2/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route3/5
Best for: Backpackers who want the Valley rim and are prepared for a hard, hot climb on day one.
Recommended experience: One prior trip with 2,500 feet of gain carrying a pack.
Not recommended for: Anyone who cannot climb 2,500 feet with a full pack, or who wants Half Dome.
When to hike Yosemite Falls
Best time to visit
Valley reservations open April 24 in 2026. Spring is the best time for the falls and the coolest for the climb. Midsummer is punishing on the switchbacks. October gives cold, clear rim walking with almost nobody up there.
- Peak
- May through September
- Shoulder
- Late April and October
Spring
Yosemite Falls at full volume, cool climbing, snow patches on the rim.
Crowd level · moderate
- Advantage: The falls are the loudest they get
- Advantage: Cool temperatures for a brutal climb
- Advantage: Reservations open from April 24
- Challenge: Snow and mud on the upper rim
- Challenge: Creek crossings running high
- Challenge: Wet rock on the switchbacks
Summer
Hot and dry on the climb, thin water on the rim, storms in the afternoon.
Crowd level · high
- Advantage: Rim country fully open
- Advantage: Long days to reach the four-mile camping line
- Advantage: Access to Eagle Peak, North Dome and El Capitan
- Challenge: Serious heat on the switchbacks
- Challenge: Yosemite Falls often dry by August
- Challenge: Water sources shrinking on the rim
Fall
Cool and dry, reservations to October 18.
Crowd level · low
- Advantage: Best climbing weather
- Advantage: Empty rim
- Advantage: Walk-up permits are realistic
- Challenge: The falls are usually dry
- Challenge: Short days for the climb plus four trail miles
- Challenge: Water sources need planning
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°
Yosemite Falls photography guide
Golden Hour
Sunset from Eagle Peak or the rim west of the falls, looking down the length of the Valley.
Best Light
Early morning from Yosemite Point, with Half Dome catching first light across the Valley.
Beat the Crowds
Day hikers turn around at the top of the falls. Everything past the four-mile camping line is quiet.
Classic Shots
- Upper Yosemite Fall from Columbia Rock
- Half Dome from North Dome
- The Valley floor from the rim near Eagle Peak
Yosemite Falls rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- An allowed bear-resistant food canister
- At least three litres of water capacity, since the climb is dry and south-facing
- Water treatment for the creek above the falls
- A stove for camps where fires are restricted
Rules & regulations
- 01Your first night's camp must be north of Yosemite Valley and south of Tioga Road
- 02Camp at least one air mile from any road and four trail miles from Yosemite Valley
- 03Camp at least one-half mile back from the rim of the Valley
- 04The area around the top of Yosemite Falls is day use only, and camping is not permitted at or near the top of the falls, at Yosemite Point, or on North Dome
- 05Maximum group size is 15 people, or 8 for cross-country hiking more than a quarter mile off trail
- 06Allowed bear-resistant food canisters are required throughout Yosemite Wilderness
- 07Half Dome is not available with this trailhead
Hazards & considerations
- Heat and dehydration on a south-facing climb with over 2,500 feet of gain
- Cliff edges along the rim, where the drop is 3,000 feet
- Thin water on the rim in late summer
- Bears throughout the Valley and the rim country
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Yosemite Falls.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Yosemite Falls · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Yosemite Falls FAQ
How much elevation does the Yosemite Falls trail gain?
NPS says the trail gains over 2,500 feet in about 3.5 miles from Yosemite Valley to the top of the falls.
Can I camp at the top of Yosemite Falls?
No. NPS says the area around the top of Yosemite Falls is for day use only, and camping is not permitted at or near the top of the falls, at Yosemite Point, or on North Dome.
Where can I camp on a Yosemite Falls wilderness permit?
North of Yosemite Valley and south of Tioga Road, at least one air mile from any road, four trail miles from Yosemite Valley, and half a mile back from the rim.
How many people per day get a Yosemite Falls wilderness permit?
NPS sets the quota at 25 people per day: 15 by lottery 24 weeks in advance and 10 first-come, first-served one week in advance.
Yosemite Falls trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a Yosemite Falls permit
- Same AreaPermit required
Mirror Lake to Snow Creek
The other big Valley climb, the steepest way to the north rim toward Snow Creek and North Dome.
Tradeoffs
The same 25-people-a-day quota and an even steeper climb, from the east end of the Valley.
- Easier AlternativePermit required
Yosemite Creek
Reaches the same rim country downhill from the Tioga Road instead of up from the Valley.
Tradeoffs
You skip the 2,500-foot climb entirely, but you need Tioga Road open.
- Same AreaPermit required
Porcupine Creek
The Tioga Road access to North Dome and Indian Rock on the north rim.
Tradeoffs
A far shorter approach to North Dome, on a smaller 20-person quota.
Where to stay near Yosemite Falls
- Yosemite Creek CampgroundYosemite National Park
- Porcupine Flat CampgroundYosemite National Park
- White Wolf CampgroundYosemite National Park
- All California campgrounds
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