John Muir Wilderness, Protected wilderness in Sierra Nevada, United States.

John Muir Wilderness is a protected area in the Sierra Nevada with rocky ridges, mountain meadows, and exposed granite peaks spread across multiple elevation zones. The terrain varies from gentle valleys to steep alpine slopes, offering diverse hiking routes and mountain experiences.

The John Muir Wilderness was designated in 1964 under the Wilderness Act and named for naturalist John Muir. It was enlarged in 1984 and again in 2009 to roughly 2,633 km², now spanning the Sierra crest from the Mammoth Mountains to Mount Whitney across the Inyo and Sierra National Forests.

The wilderness is named for John Muir, the naturalist and writer who campaigned for the protection of Sierra Nevada landscapes. The John Muir Trail, a 211-mile route through the wilderness, carries his name and crosses the area from north to south alongside the Pacific Crest Trail. Visitors walking these paths follow a route tied to his advocacy.

Access is on foot, and visitors should prepare for challenging terrain and rapidly changing weather conditions. Bring proper gear and supplies, and check current regulations before heading into the backcountry.

The wilderness holds 957 lakes, 100 of them in the Bishop Creek drainage alone, a result of heavy glaciation. It also contains the Palisade Glacier, the southernmost glacier in the United States, and the largest contiguous area above 10,000 feet in the continental US.