Sierra National Forest
The Sierra National Forest, located on the western slope of the central Sierra Nevada, is known for its spectacular mountain scenery and abundant natural resources. The Sierra National Forest has a wide range of elevation, from 900 feet to 13,986 feet.
The terrain includes rolling, oak-covered foothills, heavily forested middle elevation slopes and the starkly beautiful alpine landscape of the High Sierra.
Abundant fish and wildlife, varied mountain flora and fauna and numerous recreational opportunities make the Sierra National Forest an outdoor lover's paradise.
Whether you are interested in hiking, biking, camping, backpacking, picnicking, driving off-highway, fishing or any of the other popular recreational activities, the Sierra National Forest is the place to be. There are a number of recreation areas, which offer a variety of experiences.
Whatever your boating choice, the Sierra National Forest provides numerous opportunities for canoeing, water skiing, sailing, fishing, windsurfing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, and house boating. The Forest boasts a number of beautiful lakes and reservoirs.
Winter is a beautiful time to explore the Sierra National Forest. There are many forms ofwinter recreation. They include: snowmobiling, nordic skiing, snowshoeing, alpine skiing, sledding, dog sledding, snow camping, all-terrain vehicles and just playing in the snow. Enjoy your visit to this winter wonderland.
The Sierra National Forest is responsible for managing five Wilderness Areas: Ansel Adams, Dinkey Lakes, John Muir, Kaiser and Monarch.
The Forest has two Scenic Byways for your driving pleasure. The Sierra Vista Scenic Byway starts near North Fork and climbs through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, to more than 7,000 feet. It provides views of Ansel Adams, John Muir and Kaiser Wilderness Areas. It meanders for 100 miles through outstanding scenery of the Sierra Mountains.
The 70-mile Sierra Heritage Scenic Byway provides a memorable journey offering access to several resort towns, two popular recreation lakes, and countless creeks. Starting in the quaint town of Clovis, the scenic byways traverses up the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, through Shaver Lake at 5,530 feet elevation, Huntington Lake at 7,700 feet in elevation and finally ends near Kaiser Peak at 10,320 feet.