If the Half Dome hike in Yosemite National Park is on your 2026 bucket list, here’s the honest truth: Half Dome permits are the hardest part of the plan, not the hike. The trail is long, the cables are intense, but the permit system is what decides whether you’re even allowed past the Subdome to the Half Dome cables.
The good news is that the process is simple once you see it laid out. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the 2026 lottery dates, what the odds look like, and exactly how I’d apply (pre-season first, daily second) to give myself the best shot.
Key takeaways (read this, then act):
- Permits are required to hike the Half Dome cables during the cables up season (roughly May 24 to October 15, 2026, but check updates).
- The pre-season lottery runs March 1 to March 31, 2026, and results come in mid-April.
- The daily lottery is two days before your hike, and you must apply by 4:00 pm PT.
- Expect roughly about an 18% success rate in the pre-season lottery in recent years, and daily odds swing wildly by date.
- Apply with weekday flexibility and a smaller group if you want better chances.
Half Dome permits in 2026: what you need (and when you need it)
Half Dome permits for day hikers allow you to go beyond the permit checkpoint and use the subdome steps and the Half Dome cables route when it’s in season. If you don’t have a Half Dome permit, you can still hike up the Mist Trail corridor and enjoy Vernal and Nevada Falls. You just can’t legally continue to the Half Dome cables.
For the latest official rules, I always start with the National Park Service page on Half Dome permits for day hikers. That page also reflects any changes due to conditions.
Here’s the simple 2026 timing most people plan around:
| Item | Typical 2026 window | Where it happens |
|---|---|---|
| Cables up season (permit required) | Typically Memorial Day to Columbus Day (about May 24 to Oct 15, 2026; subject to change) | On the trail |
| Pre-season lottery application | March 1 to March 31, 2026 | Online |
| Daily lottery application | Two days before, 12:00 am to 4:00 pm PT | Online |
| Trip leader required? | Yes (or an alternate, pre-season only) | At the checkpoint |
Fees also matter because they add up fast if you’re trying multiple days. Each lottery entry has a $10 non-refundable fee. If you win, you pay $10 application fee per person. If your card payment fails, you can lose the permit.
Also, don’t treat this like a “maybe.” Hiking without the right permit can come with serious consequences, including steep fines and worse. It’s not worth gambling on.
2026 Half Dome lottery dates (preseason vs daily) and how they differ
There are two ways most day hikers get Half Dome permits: the preseason lottery or the daily lottery. Both run through Recreation.gov, and both can work, but they fit different planning styles.
If I know my travel dates in advance, I enter the preseason lottery in March. It’s the cleanest option because you can request a range of dates and lock things in before you book the rest of the trip.
If I’m flexible or I lost the preseason draw, I play the daily lottery. It’s basically a short-notice scramble, and it rewards people who can hike on a random Tuesday.
Here’s the core schedule for 2026:
- Preseason lottery: March 1 to March 31, 2026 (results in mid-April).
- Daily lottery: Apply two days before your intended Half Dome hike, between 12:00 am and 4:00 pm PT.
Both lotteries happen on the official listing for Half Dome permits on Recreation.gov. I recommend bookmarking that page now, because when March arrives, you don’t want to hunt for it.
One more planning tip: after you secure your permit date, Yosemite National Park planning is essential; it helps to map out the rest of your Yosemite days around it. If you want help choosing backup hikes (or a gentler day after Half Dome), my Yosemite Day Hike Planner tool makes that part way faster.
Step-by-step: how I apply for the March 2026 preseason lottery
The preseason lottery is my first move because it matches how most people travel. Flights, lodging, time off work, all of that gets easier once you know your Half Dome day.
Here’s how I do it:
- Go to the Half Dome listing on Recreation.gov during March 1 to March 31, 2026.
- Choose the option to register for the preseason lottery.
- Pick a trip leader (that person must be on the hike).
- Add an alternate permit holder (this is huge if plans change).
- Enter your group size (commonly up to six people).
- Select your dates or a date range, then rank choices if the system allows it.
- Pay the $10 application fee and submit.
- Watch for the lottery results in mid-April, and also check your Recreation.gov account.
The tactic that’s helped me most is staying flexible on dates for the Half Dome hike. If you can request a range, do it. Think of it like trying to get concert tickets; the more shows you can attend, the better your odds.
Gotcha: if you win and the payment for the per-person fee doesn’t go through, you can lose the permit. I always double-check my card before results day.
If you’re trying to pick the least painful time of year for a long hike, I’m biased toward shoulder season. My guide on the best time to visit Yosemite can help you think through heat, crowds, and timing.
Step-by-step: the daily lottery (my plan B that often works)
The daily lottery is for last-minute planners, flexible travelers, or people who got shut out in March. It’s also the system I’d use if I was already in Yosemite and the weather looked perfect.
Here’s the flow:
- Two days before your hike, go to the Half Dome permit page on Recreation.gov.
- Apply between 12:00 am and 4:00 pm PT (don’t miss the cutoff).
- Choose your hike date and confirm your group size.
- Pay the $10 application fee.
- Check for results later that day (email and your account).
- If selected, pay the $10 per person fee.
- Save the permit to your phone, and the trip leader must bring a photo ID.
Timing matters: for a Saturday hike, you apply on Thursday, and you must submit by 4:00 pm PT.
Daily permits can be up to around 50 per day (often tied to cancellations or unused capacity). That’s why weekday attempts can feel dramatically easier.
Finally, be realistic about weather conditions. If the forecast turns ugly, I’d rather cancel than force it. You can cancel before 11:59 pm PT the day before and get the per-person fee refunded (the application fee typically doesn’t come back).
Half Dome permit odds in 2026 (and how I’d stack them in my favor)
Let’s talk odds without sugarcoating it. Half Dome is famous, and demand is huge.
Based on recent years, a good working number for the pre-season lottery is around an 18% success rate. For the most up-to-date data, I check the official Half Dome permit lottery statistics.
Daily lottery odds vary even more. Weekends and holidays tend to be brutal. Random weekdays can be surprisingly reasonable.
If I were trying to maximize my chances in 2026, I’d focus on these moves:
- Aim for weekdays: Tuesday through Thursday often beats Saturday by a lot.
- Keep your group small: Fewer spots needed can mean more possible matches.
- Try late season: Early fall can be a sweet spot if conditions cooperate.
- Bring gloves for the cables: They are essential for a secure grip on the final steep section.
- Enter the daily lottery multiple times: If you’re in the area for several days, repeated tries can pay off.
For extra strategy ideas (especially around timing), I’ve seen good practical advice in guides like Half Dome lottery tips. I don’t treat any non-official site as law, but it’s useful for planning how to stay flexible. Keep in mind that the Half Dome cables section feels like a via ferrata style experience, which underscores the physical challenge you’ll face.
FAQs about Half Dome permits in 2026
Do I need a permit to hike Half Dome in 2026?
Yes, if the cables are up, you need a permit for the Half Dome hike to go past the permit checkpoint and use the subdome steps and cables (roughly May 24 to Oct 15, 2026, but confirm before you go).
When is the 2026 Half Dome preseason lottery?
You can apply March 1 to March 31, 2026, with results released in mid-April.
When do I apply for the Half Dome daily lottery?
Apply two days before your hike date, between 12:00 am and 4:00 pm PT.
How many people can be on one Half Dome permit?
Group size limits can change, but it’s commonly up to six on a day-hike permit with the trip leader as permit holder. Confirm the current limit on Recreation.gov before applying.
Can I transfer my Half Dome permit to someone else?
No. The trip leader (or alternate holder for the preseason lottery) must be in the hiking group and should expect an ID check.
What if I want to backpack to Half Dome instead of day hiking?
That’s a different system. You typically pursue a wilderness permit for backpacking Half Dome that includes Half Dome access as an add-on (often via Little Yosemite Valley), rather than the standard day-hike lottery.
What happens if I hike without a permit?
Besides being turned around at the checkpoint, you risk serious penalties. I don’t mess with that, and I don’t recommend you do either.
Final thoughts
Half Dome is worth the early alarm, the sore legs, and the permit stress, as long as you plan it like an adult. I’d enter the March lottery first, then treat the daily lottery as my flexible backup. Most importantly, I’d build my trip around one solid permit strategy, not hope.
If you get your date, take a second to appreciate it. Half Dome permits are the key to a successful Half Dome hike in Yosemite National Park, your ticket to one of its most unforgettable days.
