Wilderness Permit Reservation Instructions
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Step 1: Fill out and email the application form.
Fill out the form electronically and email it to the address above. Please include a daytime phone number to avoid delays
with your reservation. Use the Wilderness Trip Planner on our website to find trailhead names. Only one application is
needed per group. (Duplicate applications may result in duplicate, non-refundable charges.) To reserve more than one trip,
fill out a separate application for each trip.
Step 2: Payment of the $10 per permit plus, $5 per person wilderness camping fee will be through Pay.Gov.
Upon completion of your booking we will email you a link to our Pay.Gov payment form. In the email you will be given a
permit ID number that you will use to pay for your reservation. Payment can be made by credit or debit card, bank account
(ACH), Amazon or PayPal account. The fee is not refundable, not transferable to other parties or future years, and not for
re-sale. You will have 10 days from receipt of the link to complete payment or your reservation will be cancelled.
Step 3: Read and print your Pay.Gov confirmation letter.
The Wilderness Office processes applications in the order they are received. Applications received prior to 12:01am March
1 will not be processed. All applicants will receive an email response within two weeks.
Step 4: Bring your Pay.Gov confirmation letter to pick up your wilderness permit at the start of your trip.
Your confirmation letter is not a wilderness permit and cannot be used for overnight travel. Your confirmation letter
will include details of where to pick up your permit. Permits are issued during normal operating hours by trailhead rangers
who provide important area information. There are no “night drops.” You can pick up your wilderness permit on the
afternoon prior to your hike date (after 1:00) or by 9:00 am on the morning of your entry date. If you need to pick up your
permit later than 9:00 am on the morning of your entry date, notify the Wilderness Office at (559-565-3766 or
seki_wilderness_office@nps.gov Do not submit application to this email address.) If you do not make arrangements for a
late pickup, your reservation will be cancelled at 9:00 am and your spots may be given to people waiting for walk-up
permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make changes to my trip after my application is processed?
Changes to the entry date or trail and increases in group size must be made at least one week before your entry date. Additional people
will incur an addtional $5/person fee if quota space is available. Any additional changes result in a $10 processing fee. (Changes to
reduce group size can be made at any time with no additional cost.) Once processed the fee is not refundable.
When are permits required? When are entry trail quotas in place?
Permits are required year-round for all overnight wilderness trips. Daily entry-trail quotas and fees are in place from the Friday before
Memorial Day through late September. Outside the quota period, permits are self-issued at visitor centers or permit stations. Permits are
not required for day hikes. Permits for the Lakes Trail (to Emerald and Pear Lakes) cannot be reserved, and are available on a first-
come, first-served basis.
Are there limits on group sizes?
The maximum group size is 15 people,10 in Redwood Canyon, and 12 when traveling off maintained trails (In certain areas group size
limit of 8 when off maintained trails). Your group must use the entry trail on the entry date shown in the confirmation letter, and travel
together throughout the trip. If your group is larger than 15, you must split into smaller groups that travel and camp at least ½-mile apart.
Please be aware of changes to party size limits when traveling with stock. You can find more information in the Wilderness Trip Planner
.
For more wilderness information, including specific restrictions and requirements related to camping, campfires, and portable animal-
resistant food-storage containers, visit our website at www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/wilderness.htm. Have a great trip!
