HALF DOME PERMITS
Which Recreation.gov lottery to use, when to apply, the odds, and your permit cost — sorted out in plain English. Free, no sign-up.
Your plans
$10 application + $20 per-person (2 × $10)
The $10 application fee covers up to 6 people and is non-refundable. The $10-per-person fee is only charged if you're awarded a permit, and it's refundable if you cancel before 11:59pm PT the day before your hike.
Preseason Lottery
Recommended for youApply in March and lock in dates for the whole cables season.
When to apply: Apply during the preseason application window, which runs March 1–31; results are announced in mid-April.
- Go to Recreation.gov and search for the Half Dome permit during the preseason application window (March 1–31).
- Submit your application with up to 7 ranked date or date-range choices for the season and your group size (up to 6 people).
- Pay the $10 application fee — this covers the whole application, not each person.
- Wait for the lottery to run after the window closes in late March; results are emailed in mid-April.
- If awarded, pay the $10-per-person recreation fee to finalize your permit, then bring it (printed or on your phone) on hike day.
Your odds
Preseason lottery success rates have run roughly 18%–22% in recent years — odds vary by year, and a single specific date is usually far more competitive than that overall rate suggests. Improve your chances by entering flexible, less-popular dates (weekdays over weekends), and by trying the daily lottery if your preseason application doesn't win.
The two Half Dome lotteries
Preseason Lottery
Recommended for youApply in March and lock in dates for the whole cables season.
When to apply: Apply during the preseason application window, which runs March 1–31; results are announced in mid-April.
- Go to Recreation.gov and search for the Half Dome permit during the preseason application window (March 1–31).
- Submit your application with up to 7 ranked date or date-range choices for the season and your group size (up to 6 people).
- Pay the $10 application fee — this covers the whole application, not each person.
- Wait for the lottery to run after the window closes in late March; results are emailed in mid-April.
- If awarded, pay the $10-per-person recreation fee to finalize your permit, then bring it (printed or on your phone) on hike day.
Daily Lottery
Already close to your trip? Try for a permit two days out.
When to apply: Apply between 12:00am and 4:00pm Pacific Time, two days before you want to hike.
- Open Recreation.gov two days before your intended hike date and find the Half Dome daily lottery for that date.
- Apply between 12:00am and 4:00pm PT — the daily lottery only allows the permit holder to apply (no separate alternate contact).
- Pay the $10 application fee to enter that day's drawing.
- Check your results later that day — you'll be notified whether you were awarded a permit for your hike date.
- If awarded, pay the $10-per-person recreation fee before you hit the trail.
Half Dome Permit FAQ
Do you need a permit for Half Dome?
Yes — a day-hike permit is required for anyone climbing the cables to the Half Dome summit, but only while the cables are up, roughly late May through early-to-mid October (exact dates vary by year with weather and snow). Rangers check permits at the base of the subdome, before the cables begin.
How much does the Half Dome permit cost?
Permits are awarded by lottery on Recreation.gov. It costs $10 per application (non-refundable, covers up to 6 people), plus $10 per person if you're awarded a permit. The per-person fee is refundable if you cancel before 11:59pm Pacific Time the day before your hike.
What are the odds of getting a Half Dome permit?
Preseason lottery success rates have run roughly 18–22% in recent years, though odds vary by year, by season, and especially by the specific date you request — a single date choice can be far more competitive than the overall application rate suggests. Weekdays and less-popular dates improve your odds.
When should I apply for the Half Dome lottery?
If you're planning months ahead, use the preseason lottery: apply during the March 1–31 window for a block of dates that season, with results in mid-April. If you're arriving in a couple of days, use the daily lottery: apply between 12:00am and 4:00pm Pacific Time, two days before your hike date.
Is the Half Dome permit the same as a Yosemite wilderness permit?
No — they're separate systems. The Half Dome permit covers only the day-hike cables section. If you're backpacking overnight anywhere in Yosemite's wilderness (including camping near Half Dome), you need a separate wilderness permit. Neither is the same as a park entrance pass, and Yosemite has no general park-entry reservation system in effect for 2026.