Ansel Adams Wilderness

The Ansel Adams Wilderness protects 231,000 acres of raw Sierra Nevada granite, alpine lakes, and meadows that inspired one of America’s greatest photographers. Straddling the boundary between Insel and Sierra National Forests, this is where jagged peaks meet crystalline waters—no permit lottery required for most entry points. It’s proof that wilderness doesn’t need national park status to be world-class. Rep the backcountry that shaped how we see wild places.