Are dogs allowed on El Capitan?

Yes, dogs are allowed on El Capitan but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike El Capitan?

No, El Capitan does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is El Capitan?

El Capitan is rated expert. It is 10.4 miles long with 3,809 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See California trail conditions

ExpertOut and Back

California

El Capitan

Lakeside, California

10.4 mi

Distance

3,809 ft

Elev. Gain

4h 59m

Est. Time

Out & Back

Route Type

Expert

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description

There is a note here stating that the trail is still open. It is said that all the trails within the preserve are open.

From Wikipedia

El Capitan is a vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, on the north side of Yosemite Valley, near its western end. The granite monolith is about 3,000 feet (914 m) from base to summit along its tallest face and is a world-famous location for big wall climbing, including the disciplines of aid climbing, free climbing, and more recently for free solo climbing.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify trail conditions and seasonal closures with the managing agency before you go.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:477 ft

Max:1,014 ft

1,161 ft

Trail Details

Route Type: Out & Back
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

Reviews

No reviews yet

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.

Hunt context