The U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service have released restrictions that essentially ban campfires, restrict smoking and certain types of stoves along most of the John Muir Trail south of Yosemite, even with a campfire permit. The restrictions are not JMT/PCT specific, they are in place broadly in the Sierra Nevada.
The following summarizes the John Muir Trail restrictions for backcountry users. Please consult the agency websites for the full language of the restrictions. Basically, stoves that use gas or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed, other types of stoves are not. Smoking is not allowed on much of the trail and restricted in other places.
Yosemite National Park
Normal restrictions are in place. Fires must be below 9,600 feet and in an existing fire ring. Yosemite National Park runs from the northern terminus of the JMT at Happy Isles to Donahue Pass.
Inyo National Forest
Read the Inyo NF press release. On the northern end of the JMT, Inyo NF runs from Donahue Pass to approximately Upper Crater Meadow, just south of Devil’s Postpile. The JMT also passes through Inyo NF between Mt. Whitney and Whitney Portal. See below.
- No campfires or stove fires are allowed. Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions but are allowed to use portable stoves or lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel.
- No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
Sierra National Forest
Read the Sierra NF press release. Sierra NF runs from just south of Devil’s Postpile to Piute Canyon (near Muir Trail Ranch) at the Kings Canyon National Park boundary.
- No open flame fires. No building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire (except a portable stove using gas or pressurized liquid) outside of designated recreation sites.
- No smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or in an approved developed campground. No smoking while hiking, horseback riding, or while riding in an open vehicle is prohibited.
Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park
Visit the SEKI fire information page. These National Parks run from Piute Canyon to Trail Crest on the shoulder of Mt. Whitney.
- No wood or barbecue fires permitted at any elevation. Gas or propane stoves are permitted at all elevations.
- No smoking at any elevation except within an enclosed vehicle, a building which allows smoking, or a campground where wood fires are allowed.
Inyo National Forest
Read the Inyo NF press release. On the southern end of the JMT, you’ll travel through Inyo NF between Trail Crest on Mt. Whitney and Whitney Portal.
- No campfires or stove fires are allowed. Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions but are allowed to use portable stoves or lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel.
- No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.