REGULATIONS

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST WILDERNESS REGULATIONS

Please help preserve the wild character of the John Muir, Ansel Adams, Kaiser, Dinkey Lakes, and Monarch Wildernesses, the following acts are prohibited:

o Camping in the John Muir, Ansel Adams, Dinkey Lakes, or Kaiser Wildernesses without a valid wilderness permit.

o Camping within 100 feet (30 meters; 50 steps) of any water source or trail.

o Possessing or storing any food or refuse unless stored in a manner designed to keep bears from gaining access to the food or refuse. In the Sierra National Forest Wilderness Areas, this means using bear canisters/pannier or the proper counter balance method 15 feet above the ground and 10 feet from the trunk of a tree.

o Building, maintaining, attending or using any fire, campfire or wood stove above 10,000 feet in elevation north of  Glacier Divide, and above 10,400 feet south of Glacier Divide. Use of portable stoves using gas, Jellied petroleum or liquid fuel is exempt from this regulation (see below for Site-Specific Wilderness Campfire Restrictions).

o Leaving any debris, garbage or refuse within the wilderness areas (examples: foil, cans, unburned garbage, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, food scraps, etc.) 

o Human waste disposal within 200 feet (60 meters; 100 steps) of water sources, camps, and trails. Bury in mineral soil at least 6” to 8” deep; dish and bathing water including food particles disposed of within 200 feet of lakes, streams, and trails (pack out toilet paper and food scraps).

o Entering or using a wilderness area in a group larger than 15 people and or with more than 25 head of stock (for day and overnight use).

o Hitching, tethering or tying pack or saddle stock within 100 feet of lakes, streams, trails or campsites except while loading or unloading.

o Storing or leaving unattended equipment, personal property or supplies for more than 24 hours (including geocaches and memorials).

o Discharging a firearm, air rifles or gas guns expect for emergencies, and taking of wildlife as permitted by California Fish and Wildlife laws.

o Shortcutting switch backs on any forest trails.

o Camping in any location in violation of a posted sign.

o Possessing or using motorized or mechanical equipment, including but not limited to bicycles, hanging gliders wagons or carts, except for persons requiring wheelchairs.

o Conducting or participating in contests, such as physical or mental endurance, competitive running, or other competitive activities.

Site-specific Wilderness Camping and Grazing Prohibitions:
• Camping within 500 feet of Lower Golden Trout Lake (John Muir Wilderness).
• Grazing of animals in Pioneer Basin and Hilgard Meadow (John Muir Wilderness).
• Camping within a distance of 200 feet from the shoreline in all directions of Upper Twin Lake and Nellie Lake (Kaiser Wilderness).
• Using pack or saddle stock for a distance of 1/4 mile of the shoreline in all directions at Jewel Lake, Campfire Lake, Walling Lake, Bill Lake, Bobby Lake, and Bonnie Lake (Kaiser Wilderness); unless access is granted by a special use permit.

Site-Specific Wilderness Campfire Restrictions

Ansel Adams Wilderness
No campfires within  ¼ mile of: Fernandez Lakes, Lower Staniford Lake, Vanderburgh Lake, Lady Lake, Upper and Lower Jackass Lakes, Chittenden, Sadler, and Rutherford Lake.

John Muir Wilderness
Wood Chuck Country Area
No campfires within ¼ mile of Chimney Lake, 300 feet of Woodchuck Lake, 600 feet of Crown Lake.

Black Cap Basin Area
No campfires within  ¼ mile of Portal Lake and  of Lightening Corral Meadow.

Red Mountain Basin Area
No campfires within  ¼ mile of Disappointment Lake, Little Shot, Big Shot Lake and Devils Punchbowl.

Fleming Mountain Area
No campfires within ¼ mile of Fleming or Rae Lakes.

South Fork San Joaquin Area
No campfires from the southeast corner of the Muir Trail Ranch private property boundary along the South Fork of the San Joaquin River to 7,800 feet elevation including the area below 7,800 feet elevation on both sides of the river.

Mono Creek Area
No campfires from 8,700 feet elevation in the North Fork Mono Creek drainage below Pocket Meadow upstream to the existing 10,000 feet elevation campfire closure.

Margaret Lakes Area
No campfires in the Margaret Lakes Basin above 9,600 feet elevation, including Baby, Bathtub, Big Margaret, Coyote, Fern, Frog, and Rainbow lakes.

Cold Creek Area
No Campfires within ¼ mile of Devils Bathtub and Lower Graveyard Lake.

Silver Divide Area
No campfires within ¼ mile of Beetlebug, Olive, Peter Pande, and Wilbur May lakes.
 

Additional National Forest regulations apply, and all visitors are required to abide by those regulations as well. Please see the nearest Sierra National Forest office for further details.

Inyo National Forest Regulations:
While many Inyo National Forest Wilderness regulations are identical to those on the Sierra National Forest, some may be different, such as wilderness food storage and site specific closure requirements. Contact any Inyo National Forest office for further details.

Sequoia/ Kings Canyon National Park and Yosemite National Park Regulations:
Regulations in the National Park may differ from Forest Service regulations. Pets and discharging a weapon are not permitted. For information on fires, food storage, off trail group size and other regulations, please refer to the National Park’s minimum impact handout.

JOHN MUIR TRAIL
Minimum Impact Wilderness Regulations 
The John Muir Trail (JMT) passes through multiple parks and forests. Additional regulations may apply for side trips, alternate routes, or stock travel and grazing. 

• Please follow a good land ethic when visiting the wilderness, and Leave No Trace (LNT)

For further information on regulations, permits, and conditions for the John Muir, Ansel Adams, Dinkey, and Kaiser Wilderness areas contact:

High Sierra Ranger District
Post Office Box 559
Prather, CA 93651
(559) 855-3533 TDD (559) 855-5367

For information on permits, regulations and conditions in the Ansel Adams Wilderness area north of the San Joaquin River contact:

Bass Lake Ranger District
57003 Road 225
North Fork, CA 93643
(559)-877-2218