Best backpacking trips near Hanford, CA
Ranked by straight-line distance from Hanford (population ~57,990) to each trip's trailhead. Drive times are rough estimates — mountain roads are slower than they look.
Hanford backpacking at a glance
Middle Fork Trail is the closest documented backpacking trip to Hanford — the Middle Fork Trailhead (Buckeye Flat) trailhead sits roughly 52 miles away, about 57 minutes by car. Of the 12 closest routes, 12 are within a two-hour drive of town, spanning Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Sequoia NF backcountryTrailheads for these trips sit between 3,291 and 11,634 feet, so you can pick a low, warm-season start or a high alpine route depending on the month.
Every one of these 12 routes requires a wilderness permit, so plan ahead — reservation windows open months before the season. Across the twelve closest trips, the months hikers rate best are July, September, August.If you want the gentlest introduction, Monarch Lakes climbs only 4,162 feet over 7.1 miles; the biggest single-trip climb nearby is Black Rock Pass at 8,954 feet of total gain over 13.7 miles.
| # | Trip | Miles away | Est. drive | Distance | Gain | Difficulty | Permit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 52 mi | ~57 min | 7 mi | — | Required | ||
| 2 | 54 mi | ~60 min | 10 mi | — | Required | ||
| 3 | 55 mi | ~61 min | 6 mi | — | Required | ||
| 4 | 55 mi | ~61 min | 20 mi | — | Required | ||
| 5 | 55 mi | ~61 min | 6 mi | — | Required | ||
| 6 | 59 mi | ~66 min | 9.7 mi | 4,780 ft | 32 | Required | |
| 7 | 59 mi | ~66 min | 13.7 mi | 8,954 ft | 54 | Required | |
| 8 | 59 mi | ~66 min | 6.8 mi | — | Required | ||
| 9 | 59 mi | ~66 min | 8 mi | — | Required | ||
| 10 | 59 mi | ~66 min | 8.2 mi | — | Required | ||
| 11 | 59 mi | ~66 min | 7.1 mi | 4,162 ft | 30 | Required | |
| 12 | 60 mi | ~67 min | 12 mi | — | 25 | Required |
Three ways to start backpacking from Hanford
- Closest trailhead: Middle Fork Trail — about 52 miles / 57 minutes from town.
- Gentlest outing: Bullfrog Lakes Trail — difficulty 25/100 (Moderate), 2–2 days.
- Biggest adventure: Black Rock Pass — 13.7 miles and 8,954 ft of climbing.
Distances are great-circle miles from Hanford to trailhead coordinates; actual road distances will be longer. Town data: Wikidata SPARQL (CC0), population values derived from U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Backpacking near Hanford: common questions
What is the closest backpacking trip to Hanford?
Middle Fork Trail is the closest documented trip to Hanford at roughly 52 miles (about 57 minutes of driving) from the Middle Fork Trailhead (Buckeye Flat) trailhead.
Do I need a permit to backpack near Hanford?
Many routes near Hanford, including Middle Fork Trail, require a wilderness permit from Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (NPS). Always check the managing agency before you go.
When is the best season to backpack near Hanford?
For Middle Fork Trail — the closest trip to Hanford — the best months are March, April, May, October, November.