National park · United States
Mount Whitney
Day-hike Whitney only with a permit won in the February–March lottery, a pre-dawn start from Whitney Portal and a plan to be off the summit by noon; otherwise hike to Lone Pine Lake or drive the portal road for the view.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
7 km² (3 sq mi)3 sq mi (7 km²)
approximate
Established
1964
Best months
Jul–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 7 km² (3 sq mi)3 sq mi (7 km²)
- Approximate mapped area of the mountain and immediate summit zone; Mount Whitney is a peak, not a separately bounded national park.
- Established
- 1964
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Mount Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14,505 ft (4,421 m), on the border of Inyo National Forest and Sequoia National Park above the town of Lone Pine. The standard route is the Mount Whitney Trail from Whitney Portal: 22 miles round trip with more than 6,000 ft of gain, almost all of it inside a permit quota. The mountain is not visible from the developed parts of Sequoia, so the practical base is the Eastern Sierra along US-395.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1964.
Size and age
7 km² (3 sq mi)3 sq mi (7 km²) · national park since 1964
Approximate mapped area of the mountain and immediate summit zone; Mount Whitney is a peak, not a separately bounded national park.
Why go
- The high point of the lower 48: 4,421 m (14,505 ft) on the summit plaque.The high point of the lower 48: 14,505 ft (4,421 m) on the summit plaque.
- A single trail from desert floor to alpine summit, through pine forest, meadows and bare granite.
- The Smithsonian Institution Shelter (1909) and a summit guestbook on the wall.
- The Eastern Sierra base at Lone Pine puts Death Valley, 90 miles east, on the same trip.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunGo
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanPortal road closed by snow; winter mountaineering only
- FebDeep snow; permit lottery opens for summer
- MarSnow travel; lottery results
- AprRoad may reopen late in the month; snow on trail
- MaySnow patches and high runoff at stream crossings
- JunTrail mostly open; snow above Trail Camp in wet years
- JulWarm and usually clear; afternoon storm risk
- AugMonsoon thunderstorms; start very early
- SepStable weather, fewer hikers after Labor Day
- OctCold nights, clear days; early snow possible
- NovPortal road and services closing; ice
- DecRoad closed; winter conditions
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bears around Whitney Portal and the lower trailApr–Oct · Food must go in bear-resistant containers or campground lockers. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Mosquitoes in meadows below the treelineMay–Jul · Worst near slow-moving water at Outpost Camp. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Mule deer and marmots near the portalMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Alpine wildflowers in wet meadowsJun–Jul | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Lone Pine
Drive Whitney Portal Road 13 miles west to the trailhead; no bus service, some shuttle operators in town.
25–35 min
From Los Angeles
US-395 north via Mojave and Ridgecrest to Lone Pine, then the portal road.
3.5–4.5 h
From Las Vegas
NV-160 and US-395 west via Death Valley or Olancha.
4.5–5.5 h
From Sequoia National Park
No road crosses the Great Western Divide; the High Sierra Trail is a 60-plus-mile one-way walk.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Whitney Portal | Trailhead, seasonal store and grill, campground, waterfalls on Lone Pine Creek. | Road open roughly May–October, weather dependent. |
| Mount Whitney Trail to Outpost Camp | Signed switchbacks through pine forest and meadows, with stream crossings. | Permit required above Lone Pine Lake. |
| Trail Camp and the switchbacks | Exposed granite above the treeline, 99 switchbacks to Trail Crest. | Permit required; no water beyond this point in a dry year. |
| Summit and Smithsonian Shelter | Summit plaque, hut (closed to entry) and guestbook. | Permit required; leave by noon in the warm season. |
| Sequoia National Park side | The west slope and the John Muir Trail, reached only on foot. | Sequoia backcountry permit required. |
Sketch map
- 1Lone Pine · Town≈36.606, -118.063Map ↗
- 2Whitney Portal trailhead · Gate≈36.587, -118.240Map ↗
- 3Whitney Portal campground · Sleep≈36.589, -118.230Map ↗
- 4Outpost Camp · Sleep≈36.572, -118.259Map ↗
- 5Trail Camp · Sleep≈36.563, -118.278Map ↗
- 6Trail Crest · Trail≈36.559, -118.291Map ↗
- 7Mount Whitney summit · Summit≈36.578, -118.292Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the Mount Whitney Trail from Whitney Portal to the summit, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Whitney Trail day-use permit | US$10–15 | person | 2026 estimate; confirm the current amount and any lottery or reservation fee on recreation.gov before applying. |
| Overnight (backpacking) permit | US$10–20 | person | 2026 estimate; a per-trip reservation fee may apply — check recreation.gov. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | vehicle | Covers federal recreation sites, not the Whitney permit quota. |
| Whitney Portal campground | US$20–30 | site per night | Summer season only; 2026 estimate — check the current rate and booking window. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Mount Whitney Zone day-use permit permit or guide
Overnight wilderness permit permit or guide
Campfire permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$10–15
- US$10–20
- US$80
- US$20–30
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Recreation.gov — Mount Whitney permits before you go.
Park rules
- Permits
- A Mount Whitney Zone permit is required for day use above Lone Pine Lake and for all overnight stays; rangers check on the trail.
- Food storage
- Use bear canisters or campground lockers everywhere in the Sierra; food hangs are not accepted.
- Bikes and stock
- The Mount Whitney Trail is hikers only; no bicycles or pack animals.
- Campfires
- Not practical above the treeline; use a stove with a free campfire permit.
- Drones
- Not allowed in Inyo National Forest wilderness or Sequoia National Park without authorisation (check).check
- Shelter
- The Smithsonian Shelter is closed to entry and is not a lightning refuge.
Where to stay
Near the park
Whitney Portal campground
47 sites of mixed type, mostly non-electric, at the trailhead; summer only.
Near the park
Lone Pine motels and hostels
The nearest beds, 13 miles down the road, with grocery stores and restaurants.
In the park
Outpost Camp
Backpacker site above 10,000 ft below the treeline; sheltered but mosquito-prone.
In the park
Trail Camp
Backpacker site at about 12,000 ft above the treeline; exposed, water limited in dry years.
Safety
Lightning above the treeline high
Altitude sickness high
Stream crossings and snow bridges medium
Hiking in the dark medium
Sunburn and dehydration medium
Remoteness and patchy phone signal medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Whitney Portal Road and the trailhead area are reachable by car, with short paved and dirt walks at the portal.
- The Mount Whitney Trail is steep, uneven and unbridged at stream crossings; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- Lone Pine has the nearest accessible lodging and services.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all refuse, including wag bags where required above the treeline.
- Store food properly so bears do not become dependent on hikers.
- Use the shuttle or share rides from Lone Pine; parking at Whitney Portal is limited.
- Stay on the trail on the switchbacks to limit erosion on the granite.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mount Whitney?
There is no gate fee. You pay for a Mount Whitney Zone permit, roughly US$10–15 per person for day use plus a lottery or reservation fee, and about US$20–30 a night if you camp at Whitney Portal. The America the Beautiful annual pass covers other federal sites but does not replace the Whitney permit quota. Figures are 2026 estimates; check recreation.gov.
What are the best hikes in Mount Whitney?
The Mount Whitney Trail to the summit is the classic: 22 miles round trip with more than 6,000 ft of gain, 10–21 hours, permit required. Without a summit permit, hike to Lone Pine Lake (about 2.5 miles each way) or to Consultation Lake. On the Sequoia side, Alta Peak and Sawtooth Pass are the only day hikes with any view of the mountain.
When is the best time to visit Mount Whitney?
July to September for the summit, with August carrying afternoon monsoon thunderstorms. June and October are quieter but can have snow on the upper trail. Whitney Portal Road and the campground close in winter, roughly November to April or May.
Do I need a permit to hike Mount Whitney?
Yes, for day use above Lone Pine Lake and for all overnight stays in the Mount Whitney Zone. Apply in the Inyo National Forest lottery in February–March on recreation.gov; unclaimed dates are released later in spring.
Can I drive to the summit of Mount Whitney?
No. The highest road point is Whitney Portal at about 8,360 ft; everything above is trail. The summit is more than 6,000 ft above the trailhead.
How do I avoid the crowds on Mount Whitney?
Start before dawn, aim for a weekday in September, and camp at Outpost or Trail Camp to split the climb. The switchbacks above Trail Camp are the busiest section in mid-morning.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go