Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Guided tours
No
Backcountry camping
Yes
Lodging
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The South Sierra Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness area that encompasses 60,280 acres of land and is located south of the Golden Trout Wilderness within the Southern Sierra Nevada. The area is managed by the United States Forest Service. 

The South Sierra Wilderness is characterized by forested ridges, rolling hills, and craggy peaks, the most prominent of which is Olancha Peak (12,132'), among the tallest peaks in the southern Sierra Nevada. Forests of pine and fir surround lush meadows, and the Wild and Scenic South Fork Kern River runs vertically through the wilderness.

This wilderness area has many hiking trails, including a portion of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail. Among the popular recreation activities are trail running, hiking, backpacking, fishing, rock climbing, horseback riding, skiing and snowshoeing.

PERMITS AND CAMPING

Backcountry permits are recommended for overnight trips in the South Sierra Wilderness. For more information about obtaining a wilderness permit please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sierra/passes-permits/?cid=fsbdev7_018115

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
USFS: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=21882

 

 

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

None

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Lush Meadows. Wild and Scenic river. Olancha Peak.

Cons

Mosquitos in the summer.

Features

Backcountry camping
Wildlife
Big vistas
Wildflowers
Horseback riding

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Eastern Sierra + White Mountains Area, California
Eastern Sierra + White Mountains Area, California

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