Tuolumne River Permit
Sierra Nevada Rivers · California
18 miles of Class IV+ granite whitewater below Yosemite on the Main Tuolumne, plus the Class V+ Cherry Creek run above it.
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Tuolumne reservation dates
- Season
- May 1 to October 15
- route distance, point to point
- 18mi
- daily quota
- 90people
- max group size
- 26people
How to get a Tuolumne permit
As of September 2026, Tuolumne in Sierra Nevada Rivers, California requires a permit issued via first-come, first-served. Tuolumne rates 6/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Tuolumne permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The permit season for Tuolumne runs May 1 through October 15. The Tuolumne route covers 18 miles, rated expert.
- Type
- River Access
- Location
- Stanislaus National Forest, 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 Tuolumne: Live availability activityWhen Tuolumne permits open up
How much a Tuolumne permit costs
Tuolumne permit fee: $6 reservation fee, plus $2 per person.
The Tuolumne trip
- Distance
- 18 miles
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 1-3 days
- Difficulty
- Expert
About this permit
One permit covers one section. The Main Tuolumne is 18 miles of Class IV+ that the Forest Service rates Class 5 above 5,000 cfs, and it runs in one to three days from Meral's Pool to Wards Ferry. Cherry Creek is a nine-mile, one-day Class V+ run with a gradient of 110 feet per mile and a Miracle Mile that drops at over 200 feet per mile. Running both back to back is a four-day trip and needs a permit for each section.
Permits are required from May 1 to October 15 anywhere below the Holm and Kirkwood Powerhouses down to the high water mark of Don Pedro Reservoir. They open on the last Sunday in February and are allocated first-come, first-served right up to midnight the day before a launch.
The Forest Service limits non-commercial boaters to 90 people a day on the river, with 26 per group. A single person may hold no more than four launch date reservations at a time.
Tuolumne trip highlights
- 18 miles of Class IV+ on the Main, or nine miles of Class V+ on Cherry Creek
- A separate permit for each section, even if you run both on one trip
- Steep single-lane dirt access roads to both the Meral's Pool put-in and the Wards Ferry take-out
- Flows minimized on every other Wednesday, between 150 and 400 cfs
- Limited cell service along the river
How hard the Tuolumne trip is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required4/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills3/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity3/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5
Best for: Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.
Recommended experience: Multi-day backpacking or river experience recommended.
When to float Tuolumne
Best time to visit
The permit season runs May 1 through October 15. Flows are minimized every other Wednesday, so check the Groveland Ranger District schedule before you set a date.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
79°
59°
Wed
86°
63°
Thu
89°
66°
Fri
92°
64°
Sat
93°
66°
Sun
93°
67°
Mon
91°
66°
Tuolumne rules, gear and safety
Rules & regulations
- 01Permit required May 1 to October 15 below Holm and Kirkwood Powerhouses to the Don Pedro high water mark
- 02Non-commercial boaters are limited to 90 people per day on the river
- 03Group size is limited to 26
- 04One permit per section, and the Main allows up to a 3-day trip
- 05Permits open on the last Sunday in February and stay bookable to midnight the day before launch
- 06No more than 4 launch date reservations held at one time
- 07A no-show may cancel all your remaining reservations for the season
- 08Coast Guard approved PFDs at all times, with spares per boat, and helmets for kayakers and everyone on Cherry Creek
- 09Each boat carries a spare oar or paddle, a throw line, 20 feet of mooring line, 100 feet of spare line, a first aid kit and a repair kit
Hazards & considerations
- Class IV+ water that the Forest Service rates Class 5 above 5,000 cfs
- Cherry Creek at Class V+ to 6 depending on flow, with one recommended portage
- Flows that fluctuate rapidly, every day, on the Cherry Creek section
- Steep one-lane access roads with few turnouts
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Tuolumne.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Tuolumne · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Tuolumne FAQ
Do I need one Tuolumne River permit or two?
One per section. A permit authorizes either a single day on Cherry Creek or a trip of up to three days on the Main Tuolumne. Running both means two permits.
How many people can be on the Tuolumne River per day?
The Forest Service limits non-commercial boaters to 90 people per day on the river, with a maximum of 26 people per group.
When do Tuolumne River permits open?
On the last Sunday in February each year. They are first-come, first-served and stay bookable until midnight the day before your launch.
How hard is the Tuolumne River?
The Forest Service rates the Main Tuolumne Class IV+, and Class 5 above 5,000 cfs. Cherry Creek is Class V+ to 6 depending on flow and is described as possibly the most challenging whitewater rafting run in the nation.
Tuolumne river 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 Tuolumne permit
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Forks of the Kern
17 miles of Class V on the Kern, with a two-mile gear carry to the put-in.
Tradeoffs
Harder access and a 15-person daily cap. All season dates release at once on March 15.
Where to stay near Tuolumne
- Lost Claim campgroundStanislaus National Forest
- Sweetwater (Stanislaus National Forest) campgroundStanislaus National Forest
- Pines Stanislaus campgroundStanislaus National Forest
- All California campgrounds
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