Monarch Wilderness
Monarch Wilderness is a 44,223-acre wilderness area in Fresno County, California. It rises from about 2,249 to 11,063 ft. The nearest town is Wilsonia, 7.2 miles away in a straight line.
Monarch Wilderness map
Monarch Wilderness boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
Common questions
- The maximum group size at Monarch Wilderness is 15.
- Wilsonia, CA is the nearest town, 7.2 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in Monarch Wilderness is about 11,063 ft, and its lowest about 2,249 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model). Its highest named summit is Mount Harrington, about 10,917 ft.
Who manages Monarch Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Service | 44,223 | Not on record | 15 | Not on record | High Sierra Ranger District, 559-855-5355 |
Getting to Monarch Wilderness
- Wilsonia, CA is the nearest town, 7.2 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-29)
Named summits, canyons, and springs in Monarch Wilderness
- Mount Harrington summit
- Wren Peak summit
- Stag Dome summit
- Brush Canyon canyon
- Deer Canyon canyon
- Grizzly Lakes lake
Features whose official location is inside the boundary, from the USGS Geographic Names Information System, accessed 2026-09-29. Summit elevations measured on the USGS 3DEP elevation model, which can read a few feet under a surveyed summit height.
Public lands next to Monarch Wilderness
- National forest Most of Monarch Wilderness lies inside Sequoia National Forest.
- Wilderness areaMonarch Wilderness borders John Muir Wilderness.
- Wilderness areaMonarch Wilderness borders Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness.
- National forestMonarch Wilderness borders Sierra National Forest.
- Wilderness areaJennie Lakes Wilderness is 3 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
Other wilderness areas in California
- https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=365 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/Elevation/1/TIFF/current/n37w119/USGS_1_n37w119.tif (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/GeographicNames/DomesticNames/DomesticNames_CA_Text.zip (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2025_Gazetteer/2025_gaz_place_06.txt (accessed 2026-09-29)