San Jacinto Wilderness
Area Management
The San Jacinto Wilderness is part of the 110 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. This System of lands provides clean air, water, and habitat critical for rare and endangered plants and animals. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities like hiking, backpacking, climbing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, horse packing, bird watching, stargazing, and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. You play an important role in helping to "secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness" as called for by the Congress of the United States through the Wilderness Act of 1964. Please follow the requirements outlined below and use Leave No Trace techniques when visiting the San Jacinto Wilderness to ensure protection of this unique area.General Wilderness Prohibitions
Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport is generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles, motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters, unless provided for in specific legislation.In a few areas some exceptions allowing the use of motorized equipment or mechanical transport are described in the special regulations in effect for a specific area. Contact the Forest Service office or visit the websites listed on the 'Links' tab for more specific information.
These general prohibitions have been implemented for all national forest wildernesses in order to implement the provisions of the Wilderness Act of 1964. The Wilderness Act requires management of human-caused impacts and protection of the area's wilderness character to insure that it is "unimpaired for the future use and enjoyment as wilderness." Use of the equipment listed as prohibited in wilderness is inconsistent with the provision in the Wilderness Act which mandates opportunities for solitude or primitive recreation and that wilderness is a place that is in contrast with areas where people and their works are dominant.
Wilderness-Specific Regulations
Wilderness managers often need to take action to limit the impacts caused by visitor activities in order to protect the natural conditions of wilderness as required by the Wilderness Act of 1964. Managers typically implement 'indirect' types of actions such as information and education measures before selecting more restrictive measures. When regulations are necessary, they are implemented with the specific intent of balancing the need to preserve the character of the wilderness while providing for the use and enjoyment of wilderness.The following wilderness regulations are in effect for this area. Not all regulations are in effect for every wilderness. Contact the Forest Service office or visit the websites listed on the 'Links' tab for more specific information about the regulations listed.
ALL VISITORS
1. Carry a Wilderness permit at all times and be prepared to show to Rangers. Obtain through the Idyllwild Ranger Station.
2. Bicycles are prohibited in the Wilderness.
3. Disposing of debris, garbage, or other waste is prohibited. Pack It In, Pack It Out!
4. Pets must be leashed.
5. Shortcutting a switchback is prohibited.
6. The maximum group size is 12 people per permit. Permits for the Devils Slide Trail are capped at 30 on Saturdays and 30 on Sundays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Call the Ranger District for details.
7. Stock is limited to 8 animals (horses, mules, llamas).
8. NO FIRES ARE ALLOWED.
9. Practice Leave No Trace techniques.
OVERNIGHT VISITORS
1. Carry an Overnight Wilderness permit at all times and be prepared to show Rangers. Obtain through the Idyllwild Ranger Station.
2. Camp in the Zone assigned on the Overnight Wilderness Permit.
- If assigned to a Zone, camp within 200 feet (60 paces) from trails, meadows, streams, and other campers.
- If assigned to a Brown Post Site, camp at that post site.
3. Carry a hand trowel; bury human waste at least 8 inches deep; pack out toilet paper; DO NOT BURN!
4. Filter, treat, or boil water before using.
5. NO CAMPFIRES ALLOWED.
STOCK USERS
1. Stock is limited to 8 animals (horses, mules, llamas).
2. Grazing of stock in meadows is not allowed; pack in weed free pellets.
3. Picket stock at least 200 feet (60 paces) from trails, meadows, streams, and other campers. Highlines are acceptable.
4. Taking stock on the Devils Slide Trail is not recommended.
Learn more about why regulations may be necessary in wilderness.
