Permits & Reservations

There are activities within the monument that require a special permit. This page includes information about weddings, commercial tours and guiding, educational groups, filming, and other special and commercial uses. Some of these activities may require a fee, but not all of them. Fees must be paid electronically through pay.gov. Cash or checks cannot be accepted.

Special Use Permits

All permit applications must be received at least 30 days prior to your event for consideration and processing. Special use permits will not be issued for events after October 15. A special use is any activity within the monument that requires a permit, but does not involve fees paid to a commercial entity. This includes, but is not limited to the following activities:

• Film and Photography ($50 application fee for photography)
• Weddings ($50 application fee)
• First Amendment Activities (No application fee)
• Public Assembly and Public Meetings ($50 application fee)
• Ashes Scattering (No application fee)
• Educational Groups traveling in vehicles longer than 25 feet. (No application fee)

For more information and permit applications, visit the special use permit page.

Commercial Use Authorizations

All permit applications must be received at least 30 days prior to your event for consideration and processsing. There is a $50 non-refundable application fee for a commercial use authorization. Commercial use is any use that involves payment of a guide, tour or bus company, or any commercial entity for a service that will take place within the monument. This includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Fishing Guides (fee temporarily waived)

• Commercial Tours ($50 application fee)
• Photography workshops ($50 application fee)

For more information and permit applications, visit the commercial use authorization page.

Wilderness Permits and Reservations

Wilderness permits are required for all overnight stays in the wilderness. Inyo National Forest issues wilderness permits on Recreation.gov.

Wilderness permits can be obtained from the Inyo National Forest for trips originating out of trailheads within Reds Meadow Valley. Walk-in permits are free of charge. The Devils Postpile Ranger Station does not issue reservation or walk-in wilderness permits.

Permits can be issued for the day of entry or the day before (starting at 11:00 am). Backcountry users interested in obtaining a reservation must use the online reservation system.

Approved bear-resistant food storage containers are required for all destinations in the Ansel Adams or John Muir Wildernesses as well as for Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks. Bear-resistant canisters can be rented at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center in the town of Mammoth Lakes or other Inyo National Forest visitor centers. Bear proof canister rental is not available at the Devils Postpile Ranger Station, so make these arrangements prior to entering the Reds Meadow Valley.

For the most current wilderness regulations, please call the Inyo National Forest's Wilderness Permit office at the number above or visit the Inyo National Forest's website. Visit SierraWild.gov for more information about backpacking in the Sierra Nevada.