Phillip Burton Wilderness Area

Phillip Burton Wilderness Area protects over 33,000 acres of undeveloped backcountry in California, managed by the National Park Service as a federally designated Wilderness. The landscape offers primitive terrain suited to backpacking and hiking, with the rugged character typical of the region's coastal terrain.

As a true Wilderness Area, the land is off-limits to roads, motorized vehicles, and mechanized travel of any kind. Visitors must travel on foot, and the emphasis is on solitude and self-reliance. This is backcountry where Leave No Trace principles are both the law and the ethic—pack out what you pack in, camp responsibly, and minimize your footprint.

Access requires advance planning; there are no trailheads or facilities within the Wilderness itself. Water sources and campsites are limited and scattered, so preparation is essential. Weather and seasonal conditions dictate when travel is safe and feasible. Visit in the warmer months when trails are passable and water is more reliable, and expect to encounter minimal infrastructure once you enter.