Question 1

What is the closest backpacking trip to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

Lake Aloha via Glen Alpine is the closest documented trip to San Francisco at roughly 148 miles (about 165 minutes of driving) from the Glen Alpine Trailhead (Fallen Leaf Lake) trailhead.

Question 2

Do I need a permit to backpack near San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

Many routes near San Francisco, including Lake Aloha via Glen Alpine, require a wilderness permit from Eldorado National Forest (USFS). Always check the managing agency before you go.

Question 3

When is the best season to backpack near San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

For Lake Aloha via Glen Alpine — the closest trip to San Francisco — the best months are July, August, September.

#	Trip	Miles away	Est. drive	Distance	Gain	Difficulty	Permit
1	Lake Aloha via Glen Alpine Desolation Wilderness	148 mi	~165 min	11.6 mi	3,200 ft	25	Required
2	Ten Lakes Basin Yosemite National Park	155 mi	~173 min	11.1 mi	4,212 ft	32	Required
3	Clouds Rest via Sunrise Lakes Yosemite National Park	161 mi	~179 min	17.4 mi	5,884 ft	39	Required
4	Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Yosemite National Park	167 mi	~186 min	22 mi	5,034 ft	50	Required
5	Rush Creek to Thousand Island Lake Inyo National Forest	180 mi	~200 min	15.8 mi	2,683 ft	27	Required
6	Duck Pass to Duck Lake Inyo National Forest	189 mi	~210 min	9.5 mi	3,210 ft	28	Required
7	Snag Lake Loop Lassen Volcanic National Park	201 mi	~223 min	7.8 mi	603 ft	11	Required
8	Little Lakes Valley Inyo National Forest	202 mi	~225 min	6.4 mi	1,242 ft	20	Required
9	Lost Coast Trail King Range (Lost Coast)	202 mi	~225 min	24.4 mi	405 ft	15	Required
10	Sabrina Basin Inyo National Forest	212 mi	~236 min	8.5 mi	3,652 ft	30	Required
11	North Lake–South Lake Loop Inyo National Forest	215 mi	~239 min	47.2 mi	9,320 ft	73	Required
12	Rae Lakes Loop Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	221 mi	~246 min	41.4 mi	7,047 ft	58	Required

Best backpacking trips near San Francisco, CA