Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Half Dome Permits

There will now be quotas applied to the number of people allowed to hike up Yosemite National Park's famed Half Dome Trail.

In the name of safety, the National Park Service this year is requiring permits to hike to the top of Half Dome on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays. A maximum of 400 permits will be issued each of those days. According to park officials, less than 400 people use the trail on weekdays while about 800 people use the trail on weekends and holidays, on average.

Permits are available up to about four months in advance to one week in advance exclusively through the National Recreation Reservation Service. Permits are not available in the park or on a fist-come, first-served basis.

Reservation procedures and timing may be different in 2011 as park officials are developing a long-term plan to manage use of the Half Dome Trail.

The cables hikers use to ascend Half Dome are usually in place May-October.