Permits for Yosemite National Park
2 permitted activities are listed for Yosemite National Park.
Permits
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Half Dome Permits | Permit / lottery | — |
| Yosemite National Park Wilderness Permits | Permit / lottery | — |
How the draws work
Half Dome day-hiker permits is drawn once a year: applications open 1 March and close 31 March, Eastern time, covering hikes from 22 May to 15 October. Results follow in mid-April.
Most permitted activities also hold back capacity for release a day or two ahead. That is the realistic route if you did not draw the lottery, and it rewards being nearby and flexible about which day you go.
Watching for releases
Near-date releases and lottery cancellations both move fast. Parks Manager watches the dates you care about and tells you when something opens.
Confirm the current rules
Permit systems change between seasons, and some are administered by the park rather than Recreation.gov. Check the official source before relying on any of this.
Official Yosemite National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Common questions
Do you need a permit for Yosemite National Park?
2 permitted activities are listed for Yosemite National Park, including Half Dome Permits and Yosemite National Park Wilderness Permits.
How do I improve my odds in a Yosemite National Park permit lottery?
Date flexibility matters more than anything else. Midweek dates outside peak season draw far more often, and smaller groups usually have better odds.
Background: National park permits and lotteries, explained