🏔 Wilderness
Marble Mountain Wilderness
About This Permit
The Marble Mountain Wilderness in far northern California is one of the state's best-kept secrets — 286,000 acres of rugged terrain with over 100 lakes, ancient marble formations, and dense forests of Douglas fir and Port Orford cedar. Permits are rarely hard to get, and the remote location keeps crowds minimal. Black bears and mountain lions inhabit the area alongside diverse bird life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marble Mountain Wilderness difficult to access?
Access requires driving forest roads, some unpaved, to reach trailheads. The wilderness is several hours north of Redding. The remoteness keeps crowds away and makes this one of the few California wilderness areas where permits are readily available.
What wildlife might I encounter?
Black bears, mountain lions, black-tailed deer, and a wide variety of raptors including bald eagles and ospreys near the lakes. Rattlesnakes are present in lower elevations. The Klamath region is one of the most biodiverse in North America.
What are the best hikes in Marble Mountain Wilderness?
The Marble Mountain summit trail (7 miles round-trip) offers sweeping views of the Klamath Mountains. The Sky High Lakes loop passes several alpine lakes. The Shackleford Creek Trail accesses the Campbell Lake basin, one of the most scenic areas in the wilderness.
Key Facts
- State
- CA
- Season
- June – October
- Quota
- 20 people/day (selected trailheads)
- Trailhead
- Lovers Camp Trailhead off Indian Scotty Rd, Klamath NF
- Entry Point
- Marble Mountain zone, Klamath NF
- Difficulty
- 1/5(Easy to score)
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