This is a list of trailhead names for wilderness permit purposes. (A map showing each trailhead is also available [1.5 MB PDF].) Except for Badger Pass winter trailheads, all permits are available by reservation on Recreation.gov. No permits are set aside for walk-ups.
Trailhead restrooms with flush toilets have drinking water available; those with vault toilets do not. All trailheads have food lockers available, except when noted otherwise.
Limited public transportation is available to some trailheads, especially during summer.
Please note that Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road trailheads have no vehicle access when these roads are closed, typically from around November to May or early June. Additionally, overnight parking is not allowed on the Tioga and Glacier Point Roads beginning October 15; this includes parking lots accessible from these roads.
Tioga Road (west of Olmsted Point)
Big Oak Flat Information Station
View trail descriptions and mileages for this area.
Reservations available June 19–October 14, 2025; first-come, first-served at other times.
|
Trailhead
|
Quota
(reservable by lottery 24 weeks in advance)
|
Quota
(reservable first-come, first-served one week in advance)
|
Toilet
|
Notes
|
|
May Lake
|
15
|
10
|
Vault
|
|
|
May Lake to Snow Creek
|
6
|
4
|
Vault
|
|
|
Porcupine Creek
|
12
|
8
|
Vault
|
|
|
Yosemite Creek Campground
|
15
|
10
|
Vault
|
|
|
Ten Lakes
|
24
|
16
|
Vault
|
|
|
Luken to Lukens Lake
|
6
|
4
|
No
|
|
|
Lukens Lake to Yosemite Creek
|
6
|
4
|
No
|
|
|
White Wolf to Aspen Valley
|
15
|
10
|
Flush (in campground, when open)
|
|
|
White Wolf to Pate Valley
|
18
|
12
|
Flush (in campground, when open)
|
|
|
White Wolf to Smith Meadow
|
15
|
10
|
Flush (in campground, when open)
|
|
|
White Wolf Campground
|
6
|
4
|
Flush (in campground, when open)
|
|
|
Tamarack Creek
|
15
|
10
|
Vault (in campground, when open)
|
|
|
South Fork Tuolumne River
|
15
|
10
|
No
|
|
Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center
View trail descriptions and mileages for this area.
Reservations available June 19–October 14, 2025; first-come, first-served at other times.
|
Trailhead
|
Quota
(reservable by lottery 24 weeks in advance)
|
Quota
(reservable first-come, first-served one week in advance)
|
Toilet
|
Notes
|
|
Sunrise Lakes (no Donohue Pass)
|
9
|
6
|
Vault
|
Half Dome eligible.
|
|
Murphy Creek
|
9
|
6
|
Vault
|
|
|
Cathedral Lakes
|
15
|
10
|
No
|
Half Dome eligible.
|
|
Rafferty Creek to Vogelsang
|
12
|
8
|
Flush
|
Park at wilderness center or Dog Lake parking. Half Dome eligible.
|
|
Lyell Canyon (no Donohue Pass)
|
6
|
4
|
Flush
|
Park at wilderness center or Dog Lake parking. Not eligible to exit Yosemite on the John Muir Trail.
|
|
Lyell Canyon (Donohue Pass Eligible)
|
18
|
12
|
Flush
|
Park at wilderness center or Dog Lake parking
|
|
Young Lakes via Dog Lake
|
12
|
8
|
Vault
|
|
|
Young Lakes via Glen Aulin Trail
|
6
|
4
|
Vault
|
Park at Lembert Dome parking
|
|
Mono/Parker Pass
|
9
|
6
|
Vault
|
|
|
Glen Aulin
|
15
|
10
|
Vault
|
Park at Lembert Dome parking
|
|
Glen Aulin to Cold Canyon/Waterwheel
(pass-through)
|
12
|
8
|
Vault
|
Park at Lembert Dome parking
|
Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley Wilderness Center
View trail descriptions and mileages for this area.
Reservations available April 25–October 19, 2025; first-come, first-served at other times.
|
Trailhead
|
Quota
(reservable by lottery 24 weeks in advance)
|
Quota
(reservable first-come, first-served one week in advance)
|
Toilet
|
Notes
|
|
Happy Isles to Illilouette (no Donohue Pass)
|
3
|
2
|
Flush
|
Park at trailhead parking lot*
|
|
Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley (LYV) (no Donohue Pass)
|
15
|
10
|
Flush
|
Park at trailhead parking lot.*
Not eligible to exit Yosemite on the John Muir Trail. Half Dome eligible.
|
|
Happy Isles to Past LYV (Donohue Pass Eligible)
|
9
|
6
|
Flush
|
Park at trailhead parking lot.*
|
|
Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley (LYV)
|
6
|
4 |
Vault (Drinking water available in summer)
|
Not eligible to exit Yosemite on the John Muir Trail. Half Dome eligible.
|
|
Mirror Lake to Snow Creek
|
15
|
10
|
Vault
|
Park at trailhead parking lot*
|
|
Yosemite Falls
|
15
|
10
|
Flush (in Camp 4)
|
Park at trailhead parking lot*
|
|
Pohono Trail (Wawona Tunnel or Bridalveil Fall parking)
|
6
|
4 |
Flush (summer)
|
|
|
Old Big Oak Flat Road
|
6
|
4
|
No
|
|
*Trailhead parking is just beyond Curry Village (and about a half-mile from Happy Isles). Use the free Yosemite Valley shuttle bus to get to trailheads. Parking is not available at Happy Isles, Mirror Lake, or Yosemite Falls trailheads.
Wawona and Glacier Point Road
Wawona Visitor Center
View trail descriptions and mileages for this area.
Reservations available May 23–October 14, 2025; first-come, first-served at other times.
|
Trailhead
|
Quota
(reservable by lottery 24 weeks in advance)
|
Quota
(reservable first-come, first-served one week in advance)
|
Toilet
|
Notes
|
|
Chilnualna Falls
|
24
|
16
|
Vault
|
|
|
Alder Creek
|
18
|
12
|
No
|
|
|
Deer Camp
|
15
|
10
|
No
|
|
|
Westfall Meadow
|
9
|
6
|
No
|
Use food lockers at McGurk Meadow
|
|
Bridalveil Creek Campground
|
15
|
10 |
Flush (when campground is open)
|
|
|
McGurk Meadow
|
9
|
6 |
No
|
|
|
Ostrander (Lost Bear Meadow)
|
15
|
10 |
Vault
|
|
|
Mono Meadow
|
12
|
8 |
No
|
Half Dome eligible.
|
|
Pohono Trail (Glacier Point)
|
9
|
6
|
Vault (Drinking water available in summer)
|
|
|
Pohono Trail (Taft Point)
|
6
|
4 |
Vault
|
|
|
Glacier Point to Illilouette
|
18
|
12 |
Vault (Drinking water available in summer)
|
|
Hetch Hetchy
Hetch Hetchy Entrance
View trail descriptions and mileages for this area.
Reservations available April 25–October 19, 2025; first-come, first-served at other times.
|
Trailhead
|
Quota
(reservable by lottery 24 weeks in advance)
|
Quota
(reservable first-come, first-served one week in advance)
|
Toilet
|
Notes
|
|
Beehive Meadows
|
21
|
14
|
Flush
|
|
|
Rancheria Falls
|
21
|
14
|
Flush
|
|
|
Miguel Meadow
|
9
|
6
|
Flush
|
|
|
Poopenaut Valley
|
15
|
10
|
No
|
|
|
Mather Ranger Station
|
15
|
10
|
No
|
|
|
Smith Peak
|
9
|
6
|
No
|
|
|
Cottonwood Creek
|
12
|
8
|
No
|
No food lockers
|
|
Base Line Camp Road
|
15
|
10
|
No
|
No food lockers
|
| Aspen Valley |
2 |
1 |
No |
No food lockers |
Winter Quotas
Badger Pass Ranger Station, Big Oak Flat Information Station, Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center, and the Wawona Visitor Center
These trails originate from either the Badger Pass Ski Area (permits available at the Badger Pass Ranger Station), Crane Flat, Tioga Pass, or the Mariposa Grove.
The Badger Pass Road is typically open from mid-December through March, conditions permitting. These winter trails are not hiking trails. They are intended for use with skis or snowshoes.
|
Trailhead
|
Quota
(reservable)
|
Quota
(first-come,
first-served)
|
Toilet
|
Notes
|
|
Merced Crest
|
0
|
25
|
Flush (when ski area is open)
|
Winter travel only
|
|
Horizon Ridge
|
0
|
25
|
Flush (when ski area is open)
|
Winter travel only
|
|
Dewey Ridge (#14)
|
0
|
10
|
Flush (when ski area is open)
|
Winter travel only
|
|
Dewey Meadow (#18)
|
0
|
25
|
Flush (when ski area is open)
|
Winter travel only
|
|
Pohono Trail (Taft Point)
|
0
|
10
|
Flush (when ski area is open)
|
Winter travel only
|
|
Bridalveil Creek
|
0
|
25
|
Flush (when ski area is open)
|
Winter travel only
|
|
Badger Pass
|
0
|
30
|
Flush (when ski area is open)
|
Winter travel only
|
|
Crane Flat
|
0
|
10
|
Vault (near Tuolume Grove)
|
Winter travel only
|
|
Tioga Pass
|
0
|
10
|
None
|
Winter travel only
|
|
Mariposa Grove
|
0
|
8
|
Flush at Welcome Center
Vault in Grove
|
Winter travel only
|
Cross-Country Trailheads
These trailheads mark the start of some cross-country routes. These do not lead to maintained or signed trails; travel on these routes requires expertise in cross-country navigation by map and compass (even if you have a GPS). These trailheads are not signed.
Reservations available based on area, as listed above; first-come, first-served at other times.
|
Trailhead
|
Quota
(reservable by lottery 24 weeks in advance)
|
Quota
(reservable first-come, first-served one week in advance)
|
Toilet
|
Notes
|
|
Budd Creek (cross-country only)
|
3
|
2
|
No
|
Issued at Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center.
|
|
Gaylor Creek/Lake (cross-country only)
|
3
|
0
|
Vault
|
Issued at Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center.
|
|
Nelson Lake (cross-country only)
|
9
|
6
|
Vault
|
Issued at Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center. Park at Lembert Dome parking.
|
|
Rockslides (cross-country only)
|
6
|
4
|
No
|
Issued at Yosemite Valley Valley Wilderness Center.
|
Frequently Asked Questions
I can't find my trailhead?
First, look on a map of where you are planning to go and go over the list again. If you still haven't found your trailhead name, the following information should help you.
What trail do I use to camp overnight while hiking Half Dome?
The following trailheads allow (and require) you to stay at the Little Yosemite Valley Campground on the first night of your trip:
- From Yosemite Valley: Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley
- From Glacier Point: Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley
If you have a permit for one of these two trailheads, you must spend your first night at Little Yosemite Valley Campground (no additional reservation or permit required).
A number of trails from Tuolumne Meadows also provide indirect access to Little Yosemite Valley (20- to 40-mile hike). If you have a permit for one of these trailheads, you can spend the second night of your backpacking trip at Little Yosemite Valley Campground (no additional reservation or permit required).
What is the difference between the three Happy Isles trailheads?
As that starting point is the most popular in the park, the quota is divided into three categories according to where you want to camp.
- To camp in the Illilouette basin: Happy Isles to Illilouette
- To camp at Little Yosemite Valley: Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley
- For long-distance hikers, to pass through the Little Yosemite Valley/Half Dome area and camp beyond that, in the direction of either Merced Lake or Sunrise High Sierra Camp: Happy Isles to Sunrise/Merced Lake (pass through)
Why isn't the John Muir Trail listed?
The John Muir Trail (exiting Yosemite over Donohue Pass and continuing toward Mount Whitney) can only be directly accessed via these trailheads:
- From Yosemite Valley: Happy Isles to Past LYV (Donohue Pass Eligible)
- From Tuolumne Meadows: Lyell Canyon (Donohue Pass Eligible)
Why isn't the Panorama Trail listed?
Camping is not allowed on the Panorama Trail or near Illilouette Fall. You may hike along the trail and camp at another destination beyond.
- To camp at Little Yosemite Valley: Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley
- To camp in the Illilouette basin or beyond: Glacier Point to Illilouette or Happy Isles to Illilouette
Why isn't the Tenaya Lake trailhead listed?
There are two trails that leave from Tenaya Lake, one that leads to the north and one to the south.
- To hike north to Murphy Creek and Poly Dome Lakes: Murphy Creek
- To hike south to Clouds Rest, Sunrise Lakes, or Sunrise High Sierra Camp: Sunrise
What is the difference between the two Glen Aulin trailheads?
-
To camp your first night in the Glen Aulin backpackers' camp: Glen Aulin Trail
-
To pass through Glen Aulin and camp (on your first night) somewhere in the direction of Waterwheel Falls or Cold Canyon: Glen Aulin to Cold Canyon/Waterwheel (pass through)
What's the difference between the Yosemite Creek and Ten Lakes trailheads?
The Ten Lakes trailhead is for all destinations northbound on the trail along Yosemite Creek.
The Yosemite Creek Campground trailhead is for all destinations southbound on the trail along Yosemite Creek.
What is the difference between the four White Wolf trailheads?
Why is the Hetch Hetchy or O'Shaughnessy Dam trail not listed?
There are three trails that originate at O'Shaughnessy Dam.
- To camp near Rancheria Falls or Tiltill Valley: Rancheria Falls
- To camp near Beehive Meadows, Laurel Lake, or Lake Vernon: Beehive Meadows
- To camp near Miguel Meadows: Miguel Meadows
Why aren't the Twin Lakes, Virginia Lakes, Chiquito Pass, Quartz Mountain, Lake Eleanor, Cherry Lake, or Saddlebag Lake trailheads listed?
All these trailheads are outside the park. Even though the majority of your trip will be within Yosemite National Park, get your permit from the land agency the trailhead is located in:
