Overview
Mount Whitney is 14,505 feet and, on the standard Whitney Portal route, entirely walkable — no ropes, no technical climbing. That combination is exactly why it needs a lottery: far more people want the day than the roughly 160 daily permits the Forest Service issues.
The permit splits into two pools, day-use and overnight, and the lottery is run once a year through recreation.gov. Applications open around February 1 and close in mid-March, with results posted in late March. Miss that window and you’re left hunting the cancellations and unclaimed slots that trickle out through the season.
How the permit works
- 1Apply during the annual window — usually February 1 to mid-March — on recreation.gov.
- 2Rank several date choices and pick your pool: day-use for a single push, overnight to camp at Outpost or Trail Camp.
- 3Results are released in late March; successful applicants pay the per-person fee to confirm.
- 4Pick up or download the permit before you start, and check the current food-storage and human-waste rules.
- 5Unclaimed and cancelled permits go back on recreation.gov through the season — worth watching daily.
Required documents
- recreation.gov account (one application per person, per lottery)
- Photo ID matching the permit holder
- Confirmed permit for the exact date and entry trail
Insider tips
- Midweek dates in early July and late September draw far better than August weekends.
- Overnight permits give you a second summit morning if weather turns — often a smarter ask than day-use.
- The application fee is small (roughly US$6) and is charged whether or not you’re drawn; the per-person fee only applies if you win.
Sold-out alternatives
If your dates are gone, these get you a comparable experience.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Mount Whitney lottery open?
The application window usually runs from about February 1 to mid-March, with results in late March. Confirm the exact dates on recreation.gov before you plan around them.
Do I need a permit to hike Mount Whitney at all?
Yes, for any trip past Lone Pine Lake during quota season — day hike or overnight. The lower stretch of trail is permit-free.
What if I don’t get drawn?
Cancellations and unclaimed permits are re-released on recreation.gov throughout the season, and they show up most often for midweek and shoulder-season dates.