Caribou Wilderness

Caribou Wilderness is a 20,824-acre federally protected Wilderness Area in California, managed by the Forest Service. It offers backcountry hiking and backpacking through primitive terrain where motorized travel, mechanical transport, and developed roads are prohibited. Visitors come here for solitude and the immersive wilderness experience that comes with non-motorized exploration.

Access requires leaving your vehicle behind and traveling on foot. The wilderness operates under Leave No Trace principles—pack out what you pack in, camp responsibly, and minimize your footprint. High-elevation snow typically closes the area in winter and early spring, making late spring through early fall the realistic visiting window. Summer and early fall offer the most reliable conditions for backcountry travel.