
About Hoover Wilderness
Hoover Wilderness is a 128,106-acre federally protected wilderness area in California managed by the Forest Service. It offers primitive backcountry terrain for hiking and backpacking in a non-motorized setting where solitude and self-reliance are central to the experience.
As a designated Wilderness Area, Hoover operates under strict rules: no roads, motors, or mechanized travel are permitted. Visitors must travel on foot or horseback and practice Leave No Trace principles throughout their stay. This protection preserves the landscape's wild character and ensures the area remains free from development and infrastructure.
Access is by foot or trail only, and the wilderness season typically runs from late spring through early fall, depending on snow melt and weather. Plan ahead, carry what you need, and respect the area's backcountry nature—rangers and the Forest Service maintain these lands for their primitive character, not convenience.