Sierra National Forest

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

On this page you can find answers to some of the questions that are asked at our offices. If you do not see your question listed below or want further information call the Sierra National Forest at 559-297-0706.

1. How can I get a Campfire Permit?
2. How can I purchase maps or books?
3. Can I camp in areas outside developed campgrounds?
4. Where can I ride an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) or Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV)?
5. How can I report trail conditions?
6. What's a "prescribed" fire?
7. What about the smoke from fires?
8. What's a Wild and Scenic River?
9. What's a Wilderness?
10. Do I need a Wilderness permit?
11. Can I have dogs in the National Forest?
12. Where are Sno Park Areas and where can I get a permit?

Answers

You can obtain a campfire permit at any National Forest Office, free of charge. Your campfire permit is valid from the dated issued until the end of the calendar year (December 31st). Check out the campfire permit page for more information.

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Recreation, Wilderness, and other maps are available and may be purchased at Sierra National Forest Offices. Some sporting goods stores, outfitters, and map stores also sell these maps. The Three Forest Interpretive Association, a non-profit organization, sells interpretive books and visitor materials at Sierra National Forest offices. Selections include trail guides, natural history and nature guides, and books on local history. Profits from sales are returned to the National Forests to help fund interpretive activities.

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You may camp outside of developed campgrounds in most parts of the Forest at no cost. Potable water, toilets, and other amenities are not generally available. If you choose to camp outside developed areas, be sure to bring adequate water or be prepared to purify spring water before drinking. Water on the Sierra National Forest may be contaminated with Giardia or other microorganisms. Also be sure you have a Campfire Permit if you plan to build a fire. Most undeveloped areas also require you to remove all of your own trash. Take Home What You Bring.

Note: Dispersed camping is not permitted within the boundaries of the Huntington Lake, Shaver Lake, Dinkey Creek and Bass Lake Recreation Areas.

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OHV recreation is just one of the many uses allowed on National Forest lands. OHV travel is restricted to designated routes. Many routes are open and accessible to those who enjoy recreating on OHVs. It is your responsibility to know and abide by regulations relating to motor vehicle travel. State law requires registration of all motor vehicles before being operated on public lands. You must have either a current Green Sticker or Highway license, both issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles. If highway licensed, the vehicle must meet all standards for operating on a public highway. Many areas are also open and accessible to those who enjoy recreating on OHV's and OSVs during the winter months. Motorized over-snow travel is prohibited in some areas, however. Federal law (36 CFR 261.16(a)) prohibits operation of any mechanical or motorized equipment within the boundaries of a Wilderness.

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Report trail conditions to Ranger District Offices, the Forest Supervisor's Office, or to Forest Service people you meet in the field. Leave a note on your way home or drop it in the mail. Include the trail name and number (if available,) the trail condition, it's approximate location, and the date observed. Use any piece of paper, report in-person, call on the phone, or use our Comment Form. Photos are good, too. While hiking trails for pleasure you can remove any limbs, rocks, etc. from the trail and scatter them on the lower side. You can remove rocks over six inches in diameter, but be sure not to endanger anyone below. Where Cairns are used to mark the trail, you can help keep them intact.

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A prescribed fire is any fire intentionally ignited to meet specific land management objectives (i.e., to reduce flammable fuels, such as the accumulation of brush, logs, etc. on forest floors; or to help restore ecosystem health). Prescribed fires are preplanned ignitions, with predetermined boundaries. They are conducted only under certain weather conditions (i.e., during periods of low wind) when flame length and heat can be controlled. Land managers must obtain approval of prescribed fire plans from applicable federal or state agencies before conducting planned burns. In addition, all applicable requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) must be met on federal lands. Before federal land management activities (i.e., trail building, timber harvesting, use of fire, etc.) are conducted, NEPA requires that the environmental impacts of these activities be analyzed to assess their impacts on cultural resources, wetlands, soil, water quality, air quality, visibility, and other resources.

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Fire managers must carefully coordinate with State and County agencies responsible for smoke management. Fuel consumption and the emissions produced, trajectory and dispersion can be estimated using computer models. Like forecasting weather, smoke management is not an exact science. Smoke management is also very complicated, because there can be many sources. If air quality levels deteriorate to a point specified by law or other guidelines, fire managers can decide to take appropriate management actions to suppress a fire.

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Wild and Scenic River designation allows for rivers to be preserved in a free-flowing state, protecting water quality and scenic beauty. The Sierra National Forest contains two Wild and Scenic Rivers, the Kings and Merced Rivers. Enjoyable and challenging whitewater rafting runs are available in spring and summer.

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According to the Wilderness Act of 1964, wilderness areas are "where earth and its community of life remains untrammeled, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain". Wilderness Protection will never be gained simply by issuing a set of rules and regulations. It must come with love and understanding of the land. Wilderness Protection is a personal ethic. Some mark is left in Wilderness each time we visit, but each of us can make sure this mark is a small one. Minimum impact or no trace camping should be considered common sense behavior in the back country, but many people are not aware of what they leave behind.

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A Wilderness Visitor's Permit is required for overnight visits to the Ansel Adams, John Muir, Dinkey, and Kaiser Wilderness Areas. Only one permit is required for trips which are continuous and pass through more than one Wilderness. One permit is required per trip per group. Group size is limited to 15 people. Your permit doubles as a campfire permit while in the Wilderness.

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Your canine companions are welcome in National Forests. The few rules that apply to dogs are meant to assure that you and other National Forest visitors have an enjoyable outdoor recreation experience. Please practice the following, (these rules will be enforced in developed reaction areas).

• Leave vicious or unusually noisy dogs at home.
• Please keep your dog on a leash no more than 6 feet long, or otherwise restrict its freedom to roam at will.
• At night keep your dogs and other pets inside an enclosed vehicle or in a tent.
• Developed campgrounds are for people, not animals. Please do not bring more than two dogs or other pet to any one campsite.
• Do not bring dogs onto developed swimming beaches, even if they are restrained. Guide dogs are an exception.

If you are traveling in a National Forest Wilderness, dogs are permitted. However, if you leave a National Forest Wilderness and enter into a National Park, dogs are not permitted.

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Sno Park Permits are available at local sporting goods store. For more information on Sno Park Permits and locations....

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