🏔 Wilderness
Half Dome Cables
About This Permit
The iconic granite dome rises 8,842 feet above Yosemite Valley, with the final 400 feet climbed via steel cables bolted to the rock face. Only 300 permits are issued daily through a competitive lottery, making this one of the hardest day-hike permits to score in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Half Dome permit?
There are two routes: a preseason lottery in March on recreation.gov that awards roughly 225 day-hiker permits per day for the full cable season, and a daily lottery that opens 2 days before your hiking date (applications accepted midnight–4pm PT; results are posted late that same night). Both pools are competitive — apply for both.
Is a permit required to hike Half Dome?
Yes. A permit is required whenever the cables are installed, typically late May through mid-October. No permit is needed to hike toward Sub Dome, but a permit is required to go up the Sub Dome steps and onto the cables. Rangers check permits at the Sub Dome checkpoint.
What's the best way to get a last-minute Half Dome permit?
The best last-minute strategy is to enter the daily lottery two days in advance — it reflects cancellations and expected underuse, and gives you a real shot even close to your hike date. PermitAlert monitors recreation.gov every 60 seconds and texts you when activity appears.
Key Facts
- State
- CA
- Season
- Late May – mid-October
- Quota
- 300 hikers/day total (about 225 day hikers + 75 backpackers). Day-hike permits issued via preseason lottery in March, plus additional permits via daily lottery 2 days in advance.
- Trailhead
- Typical start: Happy Isles (Mist Trail/JMT). Permits are checked at Sub Dome, not tied to a specific trailhead.
- Entry Point
- Half Dome Summit Cable Route
- Difficulty
- 5/5(Nearly impossible)
Get an SMS the moment a cancellation opens — we scan every 60 seconds.
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