Half Dome packing checklist | Camp Check

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Trip details · Half Dome

# Half Dome packing checklist

*   Activity**Day hike**
*   Park**Yosemite National Park, CA**
*   Nearest**West Rim Trail, 357 mi**

A very long day from Happy Isles that ends on the cables up the last 400 ft of granite.

## Trip details

Distance

14–16 mi round trip

Elevation gain

About 4,800 ft

Permit

Required for the cables (lottery)

Best season

Cable season, late May to fall (our pick)

### Source

*   [NPS: Half Dome day hike](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm)
*   [NPS: Half Dome permits](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm)

"Our pick" seasons are our own call.

## Packing list

Reset

Ready to go: **0%** · you have 0 of 6

We earn from qualifying Amazon purchases. [Details](/about#affiliate)

Check off what you already have. For anything you still need, there's a product suggestion.

1.  **Half Dome permit**Rangers check permits at the subdome.Need itHave it

    No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park.

2.  **Grippy gloves for the cables**Bring gloves made for gripping. Fleece gloves aren't enough.Need itHave it

    No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park.

3.  **Water filter**Refill from the Merced River on the long day.Need itHave it

    ![LifeStraw Personal Water Filter](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/610MT9qiRyL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

    LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

    $17.95 on Amazon

    Refill from the Merced River on the long day.

    [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006QF3TW4/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

4.  **Headlamp**Most people start before dawn.Need itHave it

    ![Black Diamond Spot 400-R Headlamp](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71R9kAUnBtL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

    Black Diamond Spot 400-R Headlamp

    $33.88 on Amazon

    Most people start before dawn.

    [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1R16SV2/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

5.  **Sun hat**The granite above the subdome is fully exposed.Need itHave it

    ![Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat (UPF 50+)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71nSwoKNMCL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

    Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat (UPF 50+)

    $54.00 on Amazon

    The granite above the subdome is fully exposed.

    [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVYH5FFT/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

6.  **Water bottle**Carry several liters.Need itHave it

    ![Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71x9VbJrhvL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

    Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz

    $17.99 on Amazon

    Carry several liters.

    [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N7V1QG/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

Prices and stock checked on Amazon on Oct 12, 2026, and may have changed.

## Photos

![Half dome cables big (cropped)](/photos/half-dome-1.webp)

Photo: [Unclekyky (cropped by Maps and stuff)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Half_dome_cables_big_\(cropped\).jpg) · [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) · Wikimedia Commons

![Half Dome ropes 2](/photos/half-dome-2.webp)

Photo: [Daniel Schwen](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Half_Dome_ropes_2.jpg) · [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) · Wikimedia Commons

Coordinates **37.7459°N 119.5332°W**

Elevation **8,800 ft**

Park **Yosemite National Park, CA**

Time now **UTC --:--:--**

[](/spots/half-dome)

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**Affiliate disclosure:** As an Amazon Associate, Camp Check earns from qualifying purchases. Amazon links are affiliate links and don't change your price.

**AI disclosure:** Pages are drafted with AI help and checked by a person against the linked NPS/USFS sources and live Amazon listings. Conditions, prices and stock change, so check before you go and before you buy.

**Map data:** Elevation from [Terrain Tiles on AWS](https://registry.opendata.aws/terrain-tiles/) (Mapzen/Tilezen), built from USGS 3DEP and NOAA ETOPO1 data, among others.

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