Half Dome Permits
Rising nearly 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley and 8,800 feet above sea level, Half Dome is a Yosemite icon and a great challenge to many hikers. Despite an 1865 report declaring it was "perfectly inaccessible, being probably the only one of the prominent points about the Yosemite which never has been, and never will be, trodden by human foot," George Anderson reached the summit in 1875, and in the process created the predecessor for today's cable route.
Today, thousands of people reach the summit each year. For most, it is a very challenging hike; for a few, it becomes more adventure than they bargained for. Every summer, park rangers must assist hundreds of people on the Half Dome trail.
The most famous—or infamous—part of the hike is the ascent up the cables. The two metal cables allow hikers to climb the last 400 feet to the summit without rock climbing equipment. Since 1919, only a few people have fallen and died on the cables. However, injuries are not uncommon for those acting irresponsibly.
The cables are not the only difficult part of the hike, which is 14 to 16 miles round-trip and gains 4,800 feet. If you're planning to summit Half Dome, you should be in good physical condition to hike. However, the reward is worth the effort! Along the way, you'll encounter outstanding views of Vernal and Nevada Falls, Liberty Cap, Half Dome, and—from the subdome and summit—panoramic views of Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra.
Personal safety is parameount. It takes most people 10 to 12 hours to hike to Half Dome and back. If you plan on hiking during the day, it's smart to leave before or at sunrise. You should have a non-negotiable turn-around time (i.e., if you're not at the summit by a certain time, you'll turn around). Check sunrise and sunset times before you embark on your hike, and always bring a flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries for each person. Prepare for changing weather conditions and be ready to turn around if storms emerge. Although the trail is well marked, you should be prepared with a good topographic map and compass, and knowledge of how to use them. Plan for your trip with ample food and water.
Much of the hike to Half Dome is an unpredictable adventure into Wilderness, and personal preparation for the hike and the environment is essential.
Permit & Season Information
The Half Dome cables are put up each spring and taken down each fall, typically from the Friday before Memorial Day through the Tuesday after Columbus Day. These dates are conditions dependent and may vary from year to year.
You must have a permit to ascend the subdome steps or Half Dome cables. Day hike permits (valid from 12:00 AM midnight to 11:59 PM) are available by two lottery processes. The preseason lottery application occurs throughout March, with results announced mid-April. A smaller number of day hike permits are available every day the cables are up, via a two day in advance daily lottery.
Multi-day hiking permits (overnight backpacking with an overnight stay at Little Yosemite Valley or other Wilderness location) are not available through the lottery process. More information on multi-day hiking in Yosemite is available at: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm
Need to Know
Permits are required 24 hours a day, seven days per week to ascend the subdome or Half Dome cables. Ascending the subdome or Half Dome cables without a permit is a violation of 36 CFR 1.6 (engaging in a permitted activity without a permit) and is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail.
Permits
- Half Dome day use hiking permits are available only through lotteries on Recreation.gov.
- Half Dome day use hiking permits are not available at any office in Yosemite National Park.
- If you intend to camp overnight during your hike to Half Dome, do not apply here. Instead, follow the process for getting an overnight wilderness permit
- Half Dome day use hiking permits are valid for a single day from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
- Permits are not transferable.
Lottery Applications
- Each application can have up to 6 permits (people).
- Preseason applications can have up to 7 date or date range choices.
- Lottery applicants must use their legal name when applying for a Half Dome day use hiking permit and will be listed as the permit holder on awarded permits.
- The names of the permit holder and alternate may not be changed once the application is submitted.
- People applying multiple times as permit holder/alternate permit holder will have all their lottery applications canceled without refund
Alternates
- Lottery applicants may specify an alternate during the preseason lottery application process.
- Alternates must accept this role within the specified amount of time as noted on the application (72 hours) or they will not be considered an alternate permit holder.
- An applicant may apply as a permit holder or accept as an alternate permit holder only once per lottery.
- Daily lottery applications only allow a permit holder (no alternate).
Permit Details
- If successful in the lottery, the permit will be emailed to the permit holder
- The permit holder or alternate and all members of the hiking party must be present at the permit checkpoint at the same time to proceed up the subdome and cables.
- The permit holder or alternate must show a government-issued identification card that matches the permit holder or alternate listed on the Half Dome permit at the permit checkpoint.
- The permit holder or alternate must carry an electronic or paper copy of the permit confirmation (Note: mobile phone service is unreliable at the permit checkpoint; therefore, an electronic copy should be downloaded prior to starting the hike).
Cancelling Your Permit
- You may cancel your permit or reduce the group size of your permit with a refund of the permit fees by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time the day before your hike.
Before your hike
- You are responsible for deciding if conditions are safe to proceed. Threatening weather, dehydration, exhaustion, injury, etc., are all valid reasons to turn back.
- The summit of Half Dome is extremely dangerous during thunderstorms. Check the forecast before you hike and plan to summit early as thunderstorms typically form in the afternoon. If a storm appears nearby, descend immediately with caution and patience on the cables and steps. Use extreme caution if the cable route is wet.
- The summit is typically 15-20°F (8-11°C) cooler than Yosemite Valley, and windy conditions are common. Be prepared for cool temperatures.
- Carry sufficient food and water, rain gear, detailed map, compass, headlamp, and wear layers of clothing.
- Footwear with sufficient ankle support and traction as well as protective gloves for the cables are recommended.
While on your hike
- Do not leave gloves or other trash at the base of the cables.
- Do not feed animals.
- Proper food storage is required at all times. Do not leave food or scented items unattended unless they are stored in a Yosemite National Park allowed bear canister.
- Do not leave packs unattended anywhere along the trail.
- No pets allowed.
- Use proper disposal techniques for human waste. Pack out toilet paper.
Watch this video to learn more about hiking Half Dome.
Fee Policy
A non-refundable application fee of $10.00 is required for each lottery application. Each awarded permit has a $10 recreation fee per hiker.
Daily Lottery Only: If your application is selected through the lottery, you'll automatically be awarded a permit and will be charged $10 per person to the credit or debit card used for your application. If the charge to the credit or debit card is declined for any reason, the reservation will be forfeited.
Cancellation Policy
Permits may be cancelled with full refund of the $10 recreation fee, any time prior to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time the day before the hiking date. Please check the weather and consider cancelling your permit if foul weather is in the forecast.
To cancel a permit or reduce the group size, login to your Recreation.gov account or call the Contact Center at (877) 444-6777.
Resale or auction of advance reservations is prohibited.
Any resale or auction of permits will make the permit/contract null and void.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
Yosemite CA 95389
Phone Number
209-372-0826
