Trailhead Guide Updated February 2026

The Complete Guide to JMT Trailheads & Permits (2026)

The John Muir Trail stretches 211 miles from Yosemite Valley to the summit of Mt Whitney — but for most hikers, the hardest part isn't the trail itself. It's getting the permit. This guide covers every trailhead, every permit type, and the key differences you need to know.

In This Guide
  1. SOBO vs NOBO — Which Direction?
  2. Official JMT Starting Trailheads (Full Thru-Hike)
  3. Lateral Access Points (Section Hikes & Alternatives)
  4. Key Permit Differences
  5. How PermitScout Helps
  6. FAQ

SOBO vs NOBO — Which Direction?

Before choosing a trailhead, you need to decide which direction to hike. This decision determines which permits you need and how competitive they'll be.

SOBO (Yosemite → Whitney)

The most popular direction — chosen by most JMT thru-hikers.

Pros
  • Easier permit access (higher quotas from Yosemite)
  • Dramatic finish at Whitney summit — the highest peak in the contiguous US
  • Better acclimatization as you gradually gain elevation heading south
Cons
  • First day involves a long climb out of Yosemite Valley

NOBO (Whitney → Yosemite)

Less common but has its own advantages.

Pros
  • Start at altitude — no need to climb out of a valley on day one
  • Fewer people on the trail heading this direction
Cons
  • Whitney Portal permits are highly competitive (though Yosemite JMT permits are equally tough to get)
  • Less dramatic finish descending into Yosemite Valley

Official JMT Starting Trailheads (Full Thru-Hike)

These are the trailheads that put you on a complete JMT thru-hike. Each has its own permit system and daily quota.

SOBO — Northern Starts (Yosemite)

Happy Isles → Past LYV (Donohue Pass Eligible)

Starts at the actual JMT northern terminus in Yosemite Valley. This is the classic starting point for a full southbound thru-hike.

Donohue Pass exit quota: 15/day
Managed by: NPS via recreation.gov
Important: Your first night camp cannot be in Little Yosemite Valley (LYV). You must camp past LYV.

Lyell Canyon (Donohue Pass Eligible)

Starts at Tuolumne Meadows and joins the JMT at Lyell Canyon. Skips the first ~23 miles but is officially recognized as a full JMT start. Higher quota makes this the easier permit to secure.

Donohue Pass exit quota: 30/day
Managed by: NPS via recreation.gov
Tip: With double the daily quota of Happy Isles (30 vs 15), Lyell Canyon is your best bet for a SOBO JMT permit.

NOBO — Southern Start

Whitney Portal → Mt Whitney

The official southern terminus of the JMT. Whitney Zone permits are managed by Inyo National Forest and are highly competitive — similar to Yosemite's JMT trailheads.

Fee: $15/person (recreation fee)
Managed by: Inyo NF via recreation.gov
WAG bags: Required
Highly competitive: Whitney Portal permits are awarded through an annual lottery (not rolling like Yosemite's). If you can't secure one, consider a lateral access point like Cottonwood Pass as an alternative.

Lateral Access Points (Section Hikes & Alternatives)

These trailheads are not official JMT termini — they connect to the JMT via side trails. They're excellent alternatives when you can't get permits for the official starting trailheads, and they're the backbone of JMT section hiking.

Cottonwood Pass

From Horseshoe Meadows, it's roughly 10–12 miles to reach the JMT near Crabtree Meadows. This is the most popular Whitney Portal alternative for NOBO hikers.

Permit: Standard Inyo NF ($5/person)
Whitney Zone fees: Only if adding Whitney as a side trip

Cottonwood Lakes

Also from Horseshoe Meadows but reaches the JMT via New Army Pass. A steeper but scenic alternative to Cottonwood Pass.

Permit: Standard Inyo NF ($5/person)

Kearsarge Pass

From Onion Valley, roughly 7.5 miles over Kearsarge Pass (11,709') to reach the JMT. The most popular resupply and access point for JMT hikers.

Permit: Standard Inyo NF ($5/person)
Note: If you plan to exit at Whitney, you must specify "Mt Whitney (Trail Crest Exit)" on your permit application.

Bishop Pass

From South Lake, roughly 6 miles over Bishop Pass (11,972') to LeConte Canyon on the JMT. A beautiful high-elevation entry point.

Permit: Standard Inyo NF ($5/person)

Key Permit Differences

Not all JMT permits are created equal. Understanding these differences is critical for planning your hike.

Yosemite Permits (SOBO)
  • Covers the entire trail — no additional permits needed from other national forests
  • Donohue Pass quotas: 15/day (Happy Isles) vs 30/day (Lyell Canyon)
  • Managed by NPS via recreation.gov
  • Available through lottery, FCFS, and 7-day rolling release
Inyo NF Permits (NOBO / Lateral)
  • Do NOT automatically include Whitney Zone access
  • Whitney Zone: $15/person recreation fee
  • Standard Inyo NF trailheads: $5/person
  • WAG bags required in Whitney Zone
  • Managed by Inyo National Forest via recreation.gov
Key takeaway: A Yosemite SOBO permit is the simplest option — one permit covers the entire 211-mile trail. Starting from the Inyo NF side requires more careful permit planning, especially if your route passes through the Whitney Zone.

How PermitScout Helps

PermitScout monitors all of these trailheads on recreation.gov — from Happy Isles and Lyell Canyon to Whitney Portal, Cottonwood Pass, Kearsarge Pass, and more. We check for permit availability every 5 minutes, 24/7.

  • Get instant email and SMS alerts the moment a permit becomes available
  • Monitor multiple trailheads and date ranges simultaneously
  • Click the direct link to book on recreation.gov before anyone else

Never Miss a JMT Permit Again

Set up your JMT permit alerts in under 2 minutes. Email and SMS notifications. Free forever.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Lyell Canyon (Donohue Pass eligible) has the highest daily quota at 30 permits per day, compared to 15 per day for Happy Isles→Past LYV. Starting from Tuolumne Meadows via Lyell Canyon gives you double the quota and is officially recognized as a full JMT start.

No — Cottonwood Pass is a lateral access point, not an official JMT terminus. You can hike most of the trail (joining near Crabtree Meadows), but you'll miss the northernmost section. It's a popular alternative when Whitney Portal permits are unavailable.

If you start from Yosemite (SOBO), your Yosemite wilderness permit covers the entire trail — no additional permits are needed from other forests. If you start from the Inyo National Forest side (NOBO or lateral access), you need an Inyo NF permit, and Whitney Zone access requires a separate fee if your route passes through it.

Most JMT thru-hikers go southbound (SOBO), from Yosemite Valley to Mt Whitney. This direction offers easier permit access, better acclimatization as you gradually gain elevation, and a dramatic finish at the highest peak in the contiguous US.