Our Forests

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest manages 18 designated Wilderness Areas. These Wilderness Areas are as diverse as the Forest itself. On the eastern side of the Forest, theQuinn Canyon Wilderness is a maze of deep canyons and rugged peaks reaching to over 10,000 feet. Red volcanic rhyolite composes the lower canyons and gray limestone forms most of the peaks.

To the west, the Mokelumne Wilderness offers diverse beauty ranging from peaks over 11,000 feet high to river canyons hundreds of feet deep. It is known for its volcanic peaks and diverse variety of plants. Some of the peaks are composed of granite that is as old as the dinosaurs.

Many visitors pass through the Mokelumne Wilderness as part of their trek along the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT).

Bordering Yosemite National Park along the Pacific Crest and falling away to the Great Basin to the east, the Hoover Wilderness is a spectacular piece of the Sierras. Soaring peaks, glistening lakes and lush meadows are just some of its awesome spectacles. This Wilderness Area has special considerations for obtaining an overnight camping permit, so plan ahead.

The Jarbidge Wilderness is tucked into the northeast corner of Nevada on the north edge of the Great Basin. Its isolated location makes it very remote. Elevations range from cool desert at approximately 5,000 feet to towering peaks well over 10,000 feet. Approximately 170 miles of trail can be accessed from several trailheads.

To the south, you'll find La Madre Wilderness, which dominates the area with spectacular cliffs and steep canyons occurring on its southeast flanks. The large variation in elevation, 6,000 feet, provides for a variety of plant communities. They range from South Mohave Desert shrub, to juniper-pinyon woodland, to subalpine communities of white fir and ponderosa pine.

The name “Humboldt” comes from the explorer John C. Freemont. He named the East Humboldt Mountain Range and the Humboldt River after German naturalist Baron Alexander von Humboldt. “Toiyabe” is an ancient Shoshone word meaning “mountain.”

Within its 6.3 million acres, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest contains an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 prehistoric and historic archaeological sites. The various types ofheritage resources range from the enigmatic squiggles and curlicues of prehistoric rock art, to the phenomenal mining towns of the 19th century, to Euro-American emigrant trails and roads.

Before you go, check out the trails for hiking, backpacking, horseback riding. There are a number of picnic areas and campgrounds. Many exciting and beautiful areas can be explored on an Off-Highway Vehicle or snowmobile. Click here to learn more.