Challis National Forest

About Challis National Forest

Salmon Challis National Forest covers more than 1,000 square miles in the eastern part of the state of California. The country is rugged and remote, offering adventure, solitude and breathtaking landscapes. Within the boundaries of this forest lies Salmon Challes National Forest, home to the second largest salmon fishery in the world in California and the largest of its kind in America.

The area is a very sought after destination for hikers, mountain bikers and other outdoor enthusiasts. The forest also includes many of California's most popular hiking and biking trails, as well as some of the state's best mountain biking and hiking trails.

Campsites in the Leadore district are limited to 14 days, and the Wiesensee campsite is the only one with a fee. Facilities include a campsite, picnic area, picnic tables, showers, toilets and laundry facilities. Pets must be kept on a leash at all campsites and pets must not be kept on a leash at the campsites.

The Bärental riding stable is located on the west side of the Leadore district, a little north of Wiesensee, about 800 m from the hiking trail. At the intersection of Bear Creek Road, turn right onto Bear River Road and turn right onto the road to the campsite.

At the intersection of Bear Creek Road turn left onto Bear River Road and turn right onto the road to the campsite. Continue to the Untere Reiterhof Bärental, then briefly on the Bärenschluchtenstraße to the south and then to the east on the way to Wiesensee.

Hawley Creek Lower Campground is located 8 miles southeast of Leadore and there is a water reservoir and trail rails. At the end of the road is the Trailhead Campground, 1.5 km away, and the Trailhead Campground on the other side of Bear Creek Road.

Follow Highway 29 east of Leadore for one mile and turn right onto a county dirt road and follow road 4 miles east to Hawley Creek. Drive east on the county road until you turn left onto Bear Creek Road and follow it to the hiking campsite.

Big Eightmile Campground is located at the intersection of Timber Creek Reservoir Lower and Hawley Creek Upper Campgrounds on the left. Turn left and go left for a quarter mile - left, then right into Timber Creek, turn left onto the county dirt road and follow it for a mile to a fork. At the fork, go a mile and there is Reserve Creek Camp ground on the right, and half a mile further , then the upper Camp Groundground of Hawleys Creek is on the right and the Big Eight mile campground is just behind.

Meadow Lake Campground is located 15 miles south of Leadore. To get there, drive 17 miles and turn left onto a gravel road that goes up 2,080 feet to the campsite, then turn right onto the county dirt road for a mile and a half, and then right again onto gravel roads that go up another 2,000 feet to the campsite.

The campsite was completely renovated in summer 2003 and is now accessible to people with reduced mobility, including toilets, picnic area, picnic tables, showers, toilets, fireplaces and water fountains.