**NEW UPDATE Since this video was published, Yosemite made another change. Normally, 40 percent of wilderness permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis at park wilderness centers. Instead, in 2022, this portion of wilderness permit reservations will be available online 7 days in advance and up to three days in advance. See links in Description for more info Thanks to Nikhil Shahi for bringing this my attention!
This is such an excelente video for people that are backpacking in Yosemite for the first time! One you start reading about permits and reservations in the main website of the park you can get lost and overwhelmed, but this video really cleared this up for me a lot, thanks!!!
Definitely try winter camping ! One of my favorite quotes (can’t remember where I read it though) is, “Winter camping doesn’t build character, it reveals it.” Thanks for this video, one of the best on permits I’ve seen.
That’s great to hear! Living in such a beautiful place it’s great to hear you’re going to get out and explore. Sure it’ll be great for your photography as well! I’ll be sure to check it out ✌️
Some places are easier to navigate the permit process than others and these how to videos are also helpful for me to look back on when I'm planning haha 😝
I’ve been seeing videos of backpackers building wood fires but can’t find any info on this is there a certain time or areas you can only do this? Thanks for the great info!
Hey Ozzy! Fires are technically permitted however because California hasn't been getting a lot of moisture during the rainy season, we usually end up in a fire ban early in the summer. If you want to build a fire, try to go in the spring before the fire ban and check with the rangers before your trip to confirm there is no ban in place. www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildregs.htm#:~:text=Fires%20are%20permitted%20with%20a,dead%20and%20down%20wood%20only. "Fires are permitted with a wilderness permit in wilderness areas, unless otherwise noted. No additional fire permit is needed. However, fires are only allowed in existing fire rings, and prohibited above 9,600 feet in elevation (gas stoves are ok). Use dead and down wood only. Do not burn any trash, including toilet paper."
Thanks for the video. I cant get through to the park to ask about parking. With the wilderness pass I believe we are given parking pass exemptions but cant find out if I need to leave proof on the dash of each vehicle. Have you heard of or dealt with any of this? Thanks
3:15 You say that the 40% permits are available FCFS 1 day or day of hike. That is not true. They are released 7 days before the hiking date on recreation.gov.
Hi Fina, thanks for this great video! It really helped me out. I’m planning to do the John Muir Trail with my girlfriend in September. Since we want to do it southbound, we’ll start in Yosemite National Park and thus need a permit. On the website of the national park services it says that upon receiving the permit you’ll also need to inform them about the areas that you plan to do camping in and the exiting trailhead and dates. Does that mean we need to give them the exiting date when we plan on leaving the national park to hike further on the John Muir Trail?
Hi! Yes you'll need to let them know when you'll be leaving the national park. Sorry for such a late response but I hope you both have or are having an amazing time!
Asking for a friend, this park is MASSIVE so all things considered who is to say one couldn't just go out in the middle of nowhere, pop up your tent and chill, is it a federal offense or against the law? Just curious cause finding a campground reservation is such a pain in the booty
If you get the wilderness permit then yes you could do that within the area you say you are starting because ya the campgrounds are crazy! If you are out there and a park ranger comes by and you don't have one then you'll probably be asked to leave. I do have a video on getting a campsite to set you up for you best chance but still. Winter is coming though and Yosemite is beautiful then as well! You can also snow shoe to some yurts, it's on my bucket list.
Ya there are a lot of closures on Tioga road this coming season, thanks for the heads up here. I did a video backpacking Grant Lakes on the way to Ten Lakes last June and ya the mosquitoes were a lot but we brought 100% deet bug spray and we were totally fine 👍 definitely recommend lol none of this 15% deet stuff is going to help.
For the 'first come, first served' reservations following the lottery period, do we have to apply for those in person? Or do we apply on the same website?
If you are 7 days or more before your start date you can search for "Yosemite National Park Wilderness Permits" on recreation.gov and on the right if you scroll down it'll say "Explore Available Permits" (time stamp 6:55). You can check there to see what trailheads still have permits available for reservation for your date. If there aren't any, then there are still the 40% of permits held for walk up first come first serve, which can't be reserved. You can pick up one of these permits the day before or day of your trip. Get there as early as possible for your best chance of getting the trailhead you want but be flexible ✌
I am interested in getting a permit. What does the letter L mean on the recreation.gov site. Also I was looking yesterday 12/17 and the open reservations seemed to end on 5/27 and today on 12/18 it seems the same with every date after still L but Open Now is listed 6/4 - 6/10. I am confused about the dates and why there seems to be no change of open dates with the start of a new reservation week
**NEW UPDATE
Since this video was published, Yosemite made another change.
Normally, 40 percent of wilderness permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis at park wilderness centers. Instead, in 2022, this portion of wilderness permit reservations will be available online 7 days in advance and up to three days in advance.
See links in Description for more info
Thanks to Nikhil Shahi for bringing this my attention!
This is such an excelente video for people that are backpacking in Yosemite for the first time! One you start reading about permits and reservations in the main website of the park you can get lost and overwhelmed, but this video really cleared this up for me a lot, thanks!!!
Definitely try winter camping ! One of my favorite quotes (can’t remember where I read it though) is, “Winter camping doesn’t build character, it reveals it.” Thanks for this video, one of the best on permits I’ve seen.
Finally an informational video I needed!!!!!!!! Thank you 🙏🏽
Keep up the great work !! Your channel is awesome and a great inspiration
Thanks Dy! So happy to hear you’re enjoying the content. Let me know if you have any video topics you’d like to see
@@finahikes21 will do, thank you !!
@@finahikes21 I live near Yosemite and am hoping to learn to backpack so that I can see cooler stuff , if you want google Daniel Chui photographer :)
That’s great to hear! Living in such a beautiful place it’s great to hear you’re going to get out and explore. Sure it’ll be great for your photography as well! I’ll be sure to check it out ✌️
Wow, super informational! I definitely needed this video. I might not ask you to plan hikes for me now ;)
Some places are easier to navigate the permit process than others and these how to videos are also helpful for me to look back on when I'm planning haha 😝
Thank you for this wonderful content. I’ve subscribed !!
Glad it was helpful! Have an awesome backpacking season and thanks for watching ✌
Thank youuu :3
Quick question, can we camp and sleep anywhere on the trails?
I’ve been seeing videos of backpackers building wood fires but can’t find any info on this is there a certain time or areas you can only do this? Thanks for the great info!
Hey Ozzy! Fires are technically permitted however because California hasn't been getting a lot of moisture during the rainy season, we usually end up in a fire ban early in the summer. If you want to build a fire, try to go in the spring before the fire ban and check with the rangers before your trip to confirm there is no ban in place.
www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildregs.htm#:~:text=Fires%20are%20permitted%20with%20a,dead%20and%20down%20wood%20only.
"Fires are permitted with a wilderness permit in wilderness areas, unless otherwise noted. No additional fire permit is needed. However, fires are only allowed in existing fire rings, and prohibited above 9,600 feet in elevation (gas stoves are ok). Use dead and down wood only. Do not burn any trash, including toilet paper."
Thanks for the video. I cant get through to the park to ask about parking. With the wilderness pass I believe we are given parking pass exemptions but cant find out if I need to leave proof on the dash of each vehicle. Have you heard of or dealt with any of this? Thanks
3:15 You say that the 40% permits are available FCFS 1 day or day of hike. That is not true. They are released 7 days before the hiking date on recreation.gov.
Ah this is a new change since I made the video, thanks for letting us know 👍
If i have this pass, do i need peak hours reservation?
I am going there 18 august. Can I apply now and get one of theses permits?
If I have an América the beautiful annual pass do I still have to get a wilderness permit? Thank you!
To enter the park, likely not. The trailhead met be a dicey one.
Hi Fina, thanks for this great video! It really helped me out. I’m planning to do the John Muir Trail with my girlfriend in September. Since we want to do it southbound, we’ll start in Yosemite National Park and thus need a permit. On the website of the national park services it says that upon receiving the permit you’ll also need to inform them about the areas that you plan to do camping in and the exiting trailhead and dates. Does that mean we need to give them the exiting date when we plan on leaving the national park to hike further on the John Muir Trail?
Hi! Yes you'll need to let them know when you'll be leaving the national park. Sorry for such a late response but I hope you both have or are having an amazing time!
Asking for a friend, this park is MASSIVE so all things considered who is to say one couldn't just go out in the middle of nowhere, pop up your tent and chill, is it a federal offense or against the law? Just curious cause finding a campground reservation is such a pain in the booty
If you get the wilderness permit then yes you could do that within the area you say you are starting because ya the campgrounds are crazy! If you are out there and a park ranger comes by and you don't have one then you'll probably be asked to leave. I do have a video on getting a campsite to set you up for you best chance but still. Winter is coming though and Yosemite is beautiful then as well! You can also snow shoe to some yurts, it's on my bucket list.
Note: Tuolumne Meadows campground closed summer of 22 & 23, including backpacker camp. May can be snow, June is terrible for mosquitoes.
Ya there are a lot of closures on Tioga road this coming season, thanks for the heads up here. I did a video backpacking Grant Lakes on the way to Ten Lakes last June and ya the mosquitoes were a lot but we brought 100% deet bug spray and we were totally fine 👍 definitely recommend lol none of this 15% deet stuff is going to help.
For the 'first come, first served' reservations following the lottery period, do we have to apply for those in person? Or do we apply on the same website?
If you are 7 days or more before your start date you can search for "Yosemite National Park Wilderness Permits" on recreation.gov and on the right if you scroll down it'll say "Explore Available Permits" (time stamp 6:55). You can check there to see what trailheads still have permits available for reservation for your date.
If there aren't any, then there are still the 40% of permits held for walk up first come first serve, which can't be reserved. You can pick up one of these permits the day before or day of your trip. Get there as early as possible for your best chance of getting the trailhead you want but be flexible ✌
I am interested in getting a permit. What does the letter L mean on the recreation.gov site. Also I was looking yesterday 12/17 and the open reservations seemed to end on 5/27 and today on 12/18 it seems the same with every date after still L but Open Now is listed 6/4 - 6/10. I am confused about the dates and why there seems to be no change of open dates with the start of a new reservation week