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
Important Dates
| Dates | Information |
|---|---|
| March 1, 2025 - March 31, 2025 | Preseason lottery |
| April 11, 2025 | Notification of results of preseason lottery |
| May 18, 2025 | Preseason lottery acceptance date (awarded preseason lottery permits must be confirmed and purchased by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on this date) |
| May 21, 2025 - October 12, 2025 | Daily lotteries (apply two days in advance of desired hiking date – dates may be adjusted annually based on conditions) |
| May 23, 2025 - October 14, 2025 | Half Dome Cables up (dates may be adjusted annually based on conditions) |
| October 15, 2025 | Half Dome Cables down for the season (date may be adjusted annually based on conditions |
Lottery Information
Preseason Lottery
The preseason lottery application period is March 1 through March 31 each year, and applicants will receive notification of results in mid-April. Lottery winners must confirm and purchase their awarded permits by the preseason lottery acceptance date. Any permits not distributed via the preseason lottery will be available via the daily lottery which runs two days in advance of each hiking day.
Daily Lottery
The daily lottery application period is two days in advance of the desired hiking date, from midnight to 4 p.m. Pacific Time. Applicants will receive notification of results late on the application date.
One Application per Person
Each individual may submit only one application per lottery. Applicants must apply using their legal name. Applicants must show a government issued identification card that matches the lottery application name at the permit checkpoint.
Multiple applications to a lottery by the same person will be cancelled without refund.
How Does the Quota Work for this Permit?
The daily permit quota is 225 hikers each day on the Half Dome Trail beyond the base of the subdome.
