A Wilderness Permit is required for each party camping overnight in the John Muir Wilderness. Sixty percent of the wilderness permits for the John Muir Wilderness can be reserved ahead of time. The other 40% are on a first-come, first-served basis, available up to 24 hours in advance of departure. For the Devils/Graveyard trailhead at Lake Edison, 12 overnight hikers may obtain reservations for a permit per day. Another 8 slots are available first-come, first-served ("walk-up or walk-in permits").

For such a remote trailhead as Graveyard Lakes, it is wise to have a reservation. Since the Graveyard Lakes trailhead is in Sierra National Forest, they are the agency that issues the permit. Beginning in 2021, reservations became available through Recreation.gov, replacing the old mail in permit request forms.

Sierra National Forest: "Launching in March 2021, reservations will become available in a rolling window six months up to 14 days in advance of entry dates, if quota space is available, reservations can be made until one day before the trip. To cover the costs associated with the new system, the quota season permit fee will increase to $6 plus, $5 per person.

"40% of the trailhead quota traditionally set aside as "walk-in permits" is now being added to the reservation website and updated with each reservation. Due to the ability to reserve these permits, there will be a fee of $6.00 per permit and $5.00 per person (the same as standard reservations)."

Reserved permits can be picked up one or two days before the entry date, or on the entry date. Permits must be picked up at the Prather or North Fork Ranger Station no later than 10:00 AM on the day of your entry. If you do not show up by then, your permit will be canceled. However, you an arrange for a late pickup time of no later than 5:00 PM. You must call the Sierra National Forest up to three days before the trip at either the Prather office: 559-855-5355 or North Fork Office: 559-877-2210 to verify your final group size, and have the permit printed at the office where you will be picking up the permit.

For the Devils/Graveyard Trailhead, use the Prather ranger office:

High Sierra Ranger District, located along the highway, just east of town.
29688 Auberry Road (PO Box 559),
Prather, CA 93651
(559) 855-5355
Open 7 days a week, 8am-4:30pm
During the COVID pandemic it is wise to call ahead to confirm pick-up information.
Sierra National Forest: Obtaining a Wilderness Permit

One of the Upper Graveyard Lakes

For an extended trip up to Graveyard Lakes, consider being packed into a base camp by local packer High Sierra Pack Station. Located at Lake Thomas A. Edison, they can pack your gear into your base camp at the lakes while you make the trek on foot. You can plan to hike out yourself with your pack or arrange to have them return and pick up your gear. Or if you would prefer, you can go on horseback along with the packer.

High Sierra Pack Station Wranglers