Sierra National Forest

Spanning 1.3 million acres of the central Sierra Nevada between Yosemite and Kings Canyon national parks, Sierra National Forest protects a magnificent landscape of granite peaks, alpine lakes, rushing rivers, and giant sequoia groves in the heart of California's premier mountain range. The Ansel Adams Wilderness, named for the legendary photographer who captured its beauty, encompasses 231,000 acres of dramatic alpine scenery including the Minarets, a jagged line of volcanic spires rising above 12,000 feet, and the headwaters of the San Joaquin River. The Dinkey Lakes Wilderness and Kaiser Wilderness add to the forest's protected backcountry, while the John Muir Trail passes through the forest connecting Yosemite to Mount Whitney. Nelder Grove and McKinley Grove preserve ancient giant sequoias on Forest Service land, offering a quieter alternative to the national park groves, and Bass Lake provides a popular family recreation destination with boating, fishing, and camping. The forest has been significantly impacted by the 2020 Creek Fire, one of the largest single-origin fires in California history, which burned over 379,000 acres and destroyed old-growth forests and recreation infrastructure. Despite these challenges, the Sierra continues to draw hikers, backpackers, equestrians, and anglers seeking the iconic granite-and-pine landscapes of the High Sierra.