Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest – Hoover Wilderness Permits
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Headquarters
Bordering Yosemite National Park along the Pacific Crest and falling away to the Great Basin to the east, the Hoover Wilderness is a spectacular piece of California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range. Soaring peaks, glistening lakes and lush meadows are just some of its awesome spectacles. The headwaters of the West and East Walker Rivers can also be found in the creeks of the Hoover Wilderness.
The Hoover was one of the original units of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It was established as a Primitive Area in 1931, then as a Wild Area in 1957. In 1964, Congress designated it as Wilderness. It now has a total of 128,000 acres.
Trips beginning on Hoover Wilderness may continue into the wilderness areas of Yosemite National Park, Stanislaus, and Inyo National Forests. However, in order to continue south of CA Highway 120 you must either obtain another permit from the relevant authority that pertains to that entry point, depending on itinerary, and/or request a long-distance continuous wilderness trip permit addendum from the issuing unit.
As you plan your trip, remember that we must take care of this amazing place. While you are here, be respectful. Travel lightly on the land. Remember to leave this place undamaged so it will continue to be what we seek of wilderness. Hoover Wilderness is an ideal place for hiking and has some of the most spectacular high alpine landscape in the Sierra. Try to leave no trace of your passing. LNT
All overnight trips into the Hoover Wilderness require a wilderness permit, year-round. All wilderness visitors, including day users, are encouraged to call the ranger station for current information.
Permit & Season Information
A wilderness permit is required year-round for the Hoover Wilderness for overnight stays. From June 15 through October 15, wilderness permits are limited by a trailhead quota. Each year quota season permits become available for advanced reservation six months in advance of your trip start date (day of entry). The other half of the wilderness permits for quota season, will be made available within 3 days of the date of entry, at 7am PDT.
Reserved permits are available to print at home within 7 days of the entry date. Permits purchased within 3 days of the entry date will be immediately available for printing at home. Please check your recreation.gov account as your entry date approaches. You must print your permit no later than 10 a.m. on the day of entry and must maintain a signed physical copy in your possession for the duration of your trip.
Trips sponsored by organizations or commercial groups must contact the Bridgeport Ranger District; a special use permit may be needed.
Need to Know
Printing Permits
Reserved permits will be emailed or made available to print at home within seven days of the entry date. Please look for an email and check your recreation.gov account as your entry date approaches. Once your permit is printed to PDF no changes can be made. You are required to have a signed hardcopy for the duration of your trip. Permits must be printed no later than 10 a.m. Pacific Time on the entry date or your reservation will be considered a no-show and your permit will be cancelled.
Permit Holder Responsibilities
A signed hard copy permit must be in the group leader’s possession.
Everyone in the group must start on entry date and location on permit.
You cannot exceed the group size stated on permit.
Groups cannot combine to exceed 15 people. In the Sawtooth Ridge Area, the maximum group size is 8.
Permit is valid for continuous wilderness travel. Exiting the wilderness and reentering at a different location voids permit.
Permit expires after exit date.
Review and follow group size limits, food storage, pets, camping and campfire regulations for each area you will pass through.
Rules & Regulations For Hoover Wilderness
Not all locations allow pets, including Yosemite National Park. Ensure pets are allowed along your entire route.
Store your food properly so that it cannot be obtained by bears or other wild animals. Approved bear-resistant food canisters are required in the Hoover Wilderness. Hanging or guarding of food items is not allowed. Cleanup of food and debris if a bear gets into your food is your responsibility.
Wilderness permits are required for all overnight use.
Maximum group size is 15 people; you can travel with no more than 25 head of stock.
Do not camp within 100 feet of any lake shore, stream, or trail. If terrain does not permit camping at least 100 feet away, camp no less than 25 feet away in any situation.
Do not camp within 1/4 mile of Barney Lake for more than one consecutive night. Do not camp within 100 feet of the shore of Barney Lake.
No camping at Red, Blue, and Big Virginia lakes.
Do not build, attend, maintain, or use a campfire, stove fire or barbecue (or any fire that uses wood or charcoal), except for a portable stove using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized fuel, within 1/4 mile of Barney Lake or Peeler Lake and above 9000 feet within the Virginia Creek and Green Creek drainages.
Do not discharge a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun except for emergencies, or the taking of wildlife as permitted by state law.
Do not cut or damage standing trees, live or dead.
Camping is allowed for no more than 14 consecutive days.
It's illegal to possess or use a bicycle, wagon, cart, or other vehicle.
It's illegal to possess or use any motorized or mechanized equipment, including chainsaws.
Additional Rules & Regulations for the Sawtooth Ridge Zone
Do not build, maintain, or use a campfire (any wood or charcoal fire).
Maximum group size is 8 persons, and no stock.
Do not camp within 100 yards of established routes.
Human Waste Disposal
Human waste should be buried 6 to 8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from water sources, trails, or campsites.
Behave Responsibly
Respect other visitor’s desire for quiet and solitude. Help protect this natural resource and leave it unmarked for future visitors. Familiarize yourself with Leave No Trace.
Pack out all your trash, help keep our wilderness areas pristine.
Protect water quality, don’t use soap in natural waterways, even biodegradable soap can damage aquatic life. Waste water should be scattered at least 100 feet away from any water source.
Don’t cut switchbacks, shortcutting damages the trail and adds to erosion.
No drones, they're prohibited in wilderness.
Don't camp on vegetation, these fragile areas are easily damaged.
Be Safe
Come prepared to find your way. Do not rely on cell phone for communication or navigation, most of the forest has no cell service.
Check weather and trail conditions.
Download maps, and emergency information before starting on the trail.
Plan to be self-sufficient, bring adequate supplies of food, water and clothing.
Learn symptoms of altitude sickness
Fee Policy
Reservation Fee:
A $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each permit.
Recreation Fee:
A $8.00 per person recreation fee is charged for all persons in your group ages 13 and older, when reserving a wilderness permit for entry on Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest trails in the Hoover Wilderness. The recreation fees are used to finance the on-the-ground wilderness programs on Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
Fees cannot be transferred to other dates or trails. No rain checks or credits.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy: Reservations cannot be sold and are non-transferable. Only the group leader or listed alternate can use the permit. Leader or alternate leader names cannot be changed or added.
You may cancel your reservation online at least 14 days before your entry date to receive a full refund of the recreation fees (reservation fee is non-refundable).
Change Policy:
Changes to group size can be made if quota space is available.
Change of entry trail, entry date, or permit type requires a new reservation for the desired trip. Recreation and reservation fees apply.
Changes to itinerary, exit date or exit location can be done online anytime or when the permit is issued.
Login to your account at Recreation.gov to make changes to your permit, cancel you reservation, or request a refund.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
HC 62, Box 1000 Bridgeport CA 93517
Open Monday through Friday, 8 am – 4:30 pm
Phone Number
(760) 932-7070
