Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness Regulations
Wilderness areas, like the Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness, are special because they represent untamed nature. They offer refuges for wildlife, provide opportunities for solitude and adventure, and a serve as a reminder of our connection to the natural world.
Before entering the Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness, visitors should familiarize themselves with the Occupancy and Use Order, which outlines all the prohibited activities in the area. We also recommend checking out our Safety and Outdoor Ethics pages to learn more about recreating responsibly.
- Groups may not exceed 12 people and 14 head of stock, excluding pack goats which may not exceed 9 total.
- Permits are not required but users must sign-in at trailhead registers.
- Motorized equipment and mechanized travel is not allowed in any designated wilderness areas, including bicycles, motorbikes, chainsaws, carts, and drones.
- Camp on already impacted surfaces, never camp on meadows or green vegetation. Good campsites are found, not made.
- Campfires are not allowed above 8,800 ft. elevation, except for within 200 yards (600 feet) of Walker Lake (9239 feet), Island Lake (9220 feet), Upper and Lower Chamberlain Lakes (9477 and 9197 feet) and Born Lakes (9555 feet) Campfire Restriction Map.
- If you build a fire, use only use dead and down wood and please use existing rock fire rings – do not create more.
- Fires damage vegetation, sterilize soil and scar the land.
- Wood burning camp stoves are prohibited in areas closed to all fires.
- Human waste is a threat to the fragile alpine environments found in the Cecil D. Andrus-White Cloud Wilderness.
- It is necessary that users dig catholes 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water sources.
- Given our rocky terrain, we strongly recommend digging tools.
- WAG Bags are encouraged to carry out waste.
- Toilet paper should never be buried and needs to be carried out with users.
- Pack out all trash. This includes food scraps.
- Help remove evidence of your stay and keep the area clean.
- Wash 150 feet away from lakes and streams. Even "biodegradable" soap pollutes.
- Stock must be contained 200ft away from lakes or springs (except at agency provided tie-ups), and no grazing within 200ft of lake shores.
- Groups must not exceed 14 head of stock.
- Feed must be certified noxious weed free.
- The following areas are closed to equine stock: Slickenslide Creek above Quiet Lake, Boulder Chain Lakes above Lodgepole Lake, all Big Boulder Lakes EXCEPT Walker and Island Lakes, Gunsight Creek, and Bighorn Creek.
- All equine closure areas are shown in the Equine Exclusion Map.
- Goats are limited to 3 head per person, with a maximum of 9 per group.
- Goat closure areas includes Big Boulder and its tributaries shown in this Pack Goat Exclusion Map.
- Goats must be tethered within 30 ft of humans at night, must be on lead on trails with leads attached either to collars or halters, and pack goats are not allowed within 100 yards of bighorn sheep.
- To minimize contact between bighorn sheep and domestic pack goats, please see our Bighorn Sheep Protection Measures so you can help protect our native sheep populations.
- All food should be stored in a bear safe way, in a bear box, bear bag or bear hang.
- Bear hangs must be 10 ft up and 4 ft out from the base of the tree.
- Hang or store all scented items such as snacks, toothpaste, wrappers, garbage, dirty dishes and dog food.
- Dogs do not have to be on leash in the Cecil D. Andrus-White Cloud Wilderness.
- Control your pet, loose dogs can harass wildlife and stock, and disturb other visitors.