Buck’s Lake Wilderness

This Wilderness is managed by:

Additional resources can be found on:

The Bucks Lake Wilderness was established by the California Wilderness Act of 1984. The wilderness encompasses 21,000 acres, and is located near the northern end of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Elevations in the Bucks Lake Wilderness range from 2,000 feet in the Feather River Canyon to 7,017 feet at Spanish Peak. The top of the escarpment which the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT ) crosses unfolds a spectacular view of the forest to the east and north. An impressive view of Mt. Lassen is visible on clear days. The Bucks Lake Wilderness has a broad diversity of topography and vegetation. Ground cover varies from brush fields to conifer stands, oaks and pure red fir stands. Several small lakes are scattered across the eastern portion of the Wilderness. Along the western slope are small meadows and quaking bogs hidden among the dense stands of red fir.

There are 131 miles of trails on the Mt. Hough Ranger District. Two-thirds are within the Bucks Lake Wilderness area.

Enjoying the Buck’s Lake Wilderness

Wilderness Permits

Wilderness permits are not required to enter the wilderness, but please sign in at trailhead registers.

Camping and Campfires

Campfire permits are required for fires built ourside of developed campgrounds from May 1 through the end of fire season (usually Oct. 31). Campfire permits can be obtained from the Calif. Dept of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service. Why?

Additional considerations

Mill Creek – Trailhead is located approximately ½ mile west of Whitehorse Campground off the Bucks Lake Road.
Gold Lake – Trailhead is located at the Silver Lake Campground.
Granite Gap – Trailhead junction is marked by a sign on Gold Lake Trail.
Right Hand Branch of Mill Creek – Trailhead is located at the Mill Creek Campground on the NE shore of Bucks Creek.
Three Lakes Trail – Trailhead is located at Lower Three Lakes.
Three Lakes PCT Tie – This trail utilizes the Three Lakes Tie

Contact

Mt. Hough Ranger District
(530) 283-0555

Wilderness Areas