The Hoover Wilderness

This Wilderness is managed by:

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and
The Inyo National Forest

Additional resources can be found on:

The Humboldt-Toiyabe Wilderness Pages and
The Inyo National Forest Wilderness Pages

The Hoover Wilderness was first established as a primitive area back in 1931. It was awarded wilderness status through the 1964 Wilderness Act.

A popular wilderness widely known for its extreme mountain terrain, in the Hoover visitors will find a land of lakes, meadows, streams and mountain spires. Fluctuating concentrations of rainbow, brook, and golden trout inhabit the scenic 20 Lakes Basin immediately east of Yosemite National Park. The Hoover Wilderness has relatively little timber throughout much of its steep terrain. Its forests are composed of scattered groves of hemlock, pine, aspen, and cottonwood. Diverse wildflowers spread over the intermittent meadows found here and black bears are common and notoriously intelligent in the Hoover backcountry; use proper bear etiquette and precautions.

Enjoying the Hoover Wilderness

Maximum Group Size

No more than 15 people and 25 head of stock are allowed on overnight trips. Why?

Wilderness Permits

A wilderness permit is required for all overnight trips into the Hoover Wilderness and proposed additions. Why? During the quota period (quotas are in effect from the last Friday in June through September 15) you can obtain a permit at the Bridgeport Ranger Station during business hours or by mail from March 1 through three weeks prior to the first day of you trip. The rest of the year you can obtain a permit through self-registration at the ranger station.

Bears

• Keep a clean camp and never leave trash or food in the open and unattended
• Learn about area-specific food storage instructions and/or regulations
• Ask other campers or local employees about recent bear activity
• Learn all you can about black bears and your safety before heading into the Sierra for vacation
• Use a bear resistant food canister. Why?

Campfires

Campfires and stove fires (except for a portable stove using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized fuel) are not allowed within 1/4 mile of Barney and Peeler Lakes, or above 9,000 feet within the Virginia and Green Creek drainages. No wood fires are allowed in the 20 Lakes Basin which is accessed from the Saddlebag trailhead. Why?

Pets

Dogs must be controlled at all times.

Other Considerations

• Camp more than 100 feet away from any lakeshore, stream and trail (unless terrain prohibits), but not within 25 feet in any situation.
• No camping wtihin 1/4 miles of Barney Lake for more than one consecutive night.
• No camping within 100 feet of Barney Lake.
• No camping at Red Lake, Blue Lake or Virginia Lake.

Special Regulations for the Sawtooth Zone

• No campfires are allowed.
• Maximum group size is 8 persons.
• No camping within 100 yards of established routes.

Contact

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Supervisor’s Office
1200 Franklin Way
Sparks, NV 89431
(775) 331-6444 TDD (775) 355-5305

Bridgeport Ranger District
HCR 1 Box 1000
Bridgeport, CA 93517
(760) 932-7070

Inyo National Forest
Supervisor’s Office
351 Pacu Lane, Suite 200
Bishop, CA 93514
(760) 873-2400
TDD (760) 873-2538