Wilderness permit - quota and fee at Sequoia: what applies in 2026?

Exact conditions

Status

Required under the listed conditions

Applies to

overnight guests

Place or corridor

All Sequoia and Kings Canyon wilderness overnight trips. Sequoia-side issuing stations: Mineral King, Ash Mountain Wilderness Office behind Foothills Visitor Center, Giant Forest Museum. Kings Canyon-side: Kings Canyon Visitor Center and Road's End, Cedar Grove.

Effective dates

May 22, 2026 through September 26, 2026

Published fee

$15

Release model

rolling window

Release detail: Reservations open up to six months in advance and are released daily at 7:00 AM Pacific. Bookings must be made between six months and one week before the entry date. Entry date and trailhead cannot be modified after booking. NPS writes '7:00 AM Pacific Standard Time' even for summer dates, when the park is on Pacific Daylight Time.

Fee detail: $15 per permit per trip plus $5 per person, within the quota season only. Free outside the quota season.

Exceptions and limits

• Outside the quota season (September 28, 2025 - May 21, 2026) permits are free, self-issued at 24-hour kiosks, and not limited by quota.
• Day hiking does not require a wilderness permit.
• Walk-up permits are available from 1:00 pm the day before a trip begins.
• Reserved permits are cancelled at 10:00 am on the entry date if not picked up and may be given to walk-ups.
• Bear canisters are required in most of the park.