San Rafael Wilderness

San Rafael Wilderness is a 191,082-acre federally protected wilderness area in California managed by the Forest Service. It offers backcountry hiking and backpacking across primitive terrain where no roads, motors, or mechanized travel are permitted. Visitors seeking solitude and genuine wilderness experience will find a landscape shaped by foot traffic and pack stock only.

Access to the wilderness requires leaving the road system entirely and traveling on foot or by horse. All users must follow Leave No Trace principles—pack out what you pack in, camp on durable surfaces, and travel quietly to preserve the wilderness character. There are no facilities, maintained trails in the conventional sense, or services within the boundaries; this is backcountry travel for experienced outdoor users comfortable with self-reliance and navigation.