California's Scenic Wilderness Destination Offers Outdoor Fun In Two National Forests

California is one of the top tourist destinations in the United States, welcoming nearly 7 million international visitors in 2024, and it's no surprise the Golden State is so popular. It's home to iconic cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, wine countries scattered with elegant vineyards, and some of the nation's most stunning natural scenery. California has more national parks than any other U.S. state, and some, like Yosemite National Park, are among the most visited in the country. The tourist hot spots are well worth visiting, but California also offers some pristine wilderness areas for travelers who would prefer to avoid the crowds and immerse themselves in natural beauty instead. Golden Trout Wilderness is one of the best places to go.

Golden Trout Wilderness is located in a rugged and remote part of the state and offers visitors a glimpse of what California looked like before the population exploded. The wilderness area encompasses over 300,000 acres, and parts of it are located in two separate national forests.

Golden Trout Wilderness is one of the hidden treasures within the Sierra Nevada Mountains, located at the southern end of the range in what is known as the Kern Plateau. Visitors can enjoy an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. Camping, fishing, and hiking are a few of the most popular pastimes. With breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevadas and pristine natural scenery, this is the perfect destination for adventurous travelers who wish to experience off-the-beaten-path trails in California.

About 192,000 acres of the Golden Trout Wilderness is nestled within Sequoia National Forest, one of the best destinations to see huge sequoia trees. The eastern end of the Wilderness is located in Inyo National Forest. The beautiful national forest is known for its pristine wilderness, mountains, and lakes. During your visit you can experience highlights from both iconic national forests. Chicken Spring Lake and Trail Pass are a few popular spots for beautiful views.

Hiking is one of the most popular things to do in the Golden Trout Wilderness, and according to the National Forest Service there are hundreds of miles of trails to explore. About 150 miles of trails are located in the Sequoia National Forest portion of the Wilderness. According to AllTrails, the Cottonwood Lake #1 Trail offers one of the best hikes. It is a challenging trek with 1,312 feet that happens at the end of the hike when you'll have to navigate a series of switchbacks. It is just over 10 miles long and takes most hikers around five hours to complete. For a slightly easier route, the Golden Trout Camp Trail is a good option. It's rated moderately difficult on AllTrails and it takes most hikers more than two hours to complete the 4.5-mile route. You'll travel along Cotton Wood Creek and enjoy beautiful views of the meadows.

Wildlife is abundant in the Golden Trout Wilderness. It's a particularly popular destination for fishing and is named after California's state fish, which is a subspecies of rainbow trout native to the Wilderness area. Deer, bears, foxes, bobcats, and cougars are a few of the other animal species that you might see while hiking or camping in the Golden Trout Wilderness.

If you're flying to California in order to visit Golden Trout Wilderness then Fresno Yosemite International Airport is going to be your best option. It is located about 4.5 hours away from the Wilderness. From there you can rent a car for about $50 per day. The roads to access the wilderness area are well maintained, so you don't necessarily need 4WD, but keep in mind that vehicles aren't permitted within the Wilderness itself. You'll need to explore on foot.

Since the Golden Trout Wilderness area is located within two national forests, it is possible to find free camping. If you plan to stay overnight in the Wilderness you will need to apply for a Wilderness Permit issued by the National Forest Service. You can apply for a permit on Recreation.gov. You will also need to apply for a Campfire Permit from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Permits can be acquired online at readyforwildfire.org.

In order to camp in the remote wilderness you will need to be prepared with all of your gear. There are no places to get potable water, electric hookups, bathrooms, or other conveniences that casual campers may be used to. This is truly a wilderness experience, and you should always abide by Leave No Trace principles. Cell phone reception is sparse, so you'll need to have alternative ways to navigate like compasses and maps. If you prefer to stay somewhere with more creature comforts, Horseshoe Meadows Campground is an established campground that has facilities like toilets and potable water. Summer is the best season to visit the Golden Trout Wilderness. Although it is open year round, you'll want to wait for safe temperatures and for most of the snow to melt.