Permits

Permits are required in all wilderness areas, National Parks, and other restricted areas along the PCT.

If you are embarking on a shorter trip, you can obtain a permit from the agency on which your PCT trip originates. For example, if you plan to travel from Echo Lake to Castle Crags State Park, you would need to contact the Eldorado National Forest since your trip would begin in that forest. They would issue a permit good for your entire trip.

If you plan on hiking or riding 500 or more continuous miles along the PCT, in a single trip, the PCTA can issue you a Thru-Permit. This single permit covers the entry (as a pedestrian or equestrian) and traversing of all local, state and national parks and forests along the PCT and is free to PCTA members. Travelers holding Thru-Permits may take time away from the trail within reason (such as to heal from injuries or wait for mail) and still have their journey qualify as a “single trip.”

The Thru-Permit applies only to camps along the PCT. Users wishing to camp elsewhere in non-National Forest land or restricted National Forest land must obtain separate permits as necessary. The PCTA will not issue these separate permits, with the exception of the Mt. Whitney zone permits (see below for Mt. Whitney information).

Special Use Permit fees may be levied by the US Forest Service, National Park Service, or Bureau of Land Management and must be paid directly by the user. These Use Permits may require camping at designated campsites only and/or reservations.

Travelers with Thru-Permits must be flexible should they find they are occupying a site already permitted to another group. Stock parties must camp in stock campsites. Local rules still apply, including fire and dog leashing requirements.

Please note, while the Thru-Permit permit serves in lieu of obtaining a variety of wilderness permits along the trail, it DOES NOT substitute for trailhead parking passes, which are required in many areas. Visit the USDA Forest Service  Web site (look for info on Region 5 and Region 6) for more information about trailhead parking and the Northwest Forest Pass.

Fees:

The permit to travel 500 continuous miles or more on the PCT is free to PCTA members. A $5 donation is suggested for permits issued to non-members. Requests for Thru-Permits for an upcoming hiking/riding season will be processed after January 31st of the same year. To print a Thru-Permit application form, click here.

Mt. Whitney Permit:

The U.S. Forest Service has implemented a $15 reservation fee to climb Mt. Whitney, exit and re-enter the Whitney Portal on the east side. Plan to exit and re-enter within 48 hours. Reservations for Mt. Whitney must be received at least 60 DAYS prior to the expected date of entry into the Mt. Whitney zone. Requests received less than 60 days in advance will be returned.

For additional information regarding the reservation requirements contact the Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Reservation Office, 351 Pacu Lane, Ste 200, Bishop, CA  93514 or (760) 873-2483. Permit information can also be found at www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreation/wild/mtwhitney.

Half-Dome Permit:

Permits to hike to the top of Half Dome now required. In order to increase safety along the Half Dome cables, all people using the Half Dome Trail above the subdome must have a permit in possession on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays when the cables are up.

Permits are not required Mondays-Thursdays (except on holidays).

View more information

Canada Permit:

For the thru-hikers and thru-riders that plan on entering Canada via the PCT, you will need to print out and complete the “Entry to Canada” Form supplied here. Send your form to the address listed at least two months before you depart on your trek. It will be reviewed and returned to you. Carry the form with you on your trip and finish filling it out just prior to entry into Canada.

Additional important information about the regulations affecting hikers and riders entering Canada via the PCT is provided here.

Fire Permits:

The PCTA strongly urges all hikers using the backcountry to obtain a California fire permit. The permit covers use of campfires and stoves in ALL Park Service, Forest Service, BLM and State Lands within the state of California. Permits can be obtained at any US forest service, National Park service, BLM, or California Division of Forestry office. They are free and valid for one calendar year. The purpose of the permit is to ensure that people using the back country have all the proper information about safe use of fire in the backcountry. These permits should be acquired before the start of your hike or ride.

To obtain a permit, either contact one of the local agency offices, or go to http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/passespermits/campfire_permit/campfire-index.html