Hope Valley Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Hope Valley Wildlife Area is 2,952 acres of CDFW land in Alpine County, in CDFW's North Central Region. Title 14, Section 551 lists it as Type C: open daily for hunting all legal species without a hunting pass, except where CDFW's area rules say otherwise. It lies in deer Zone X8, where CDFW estimates 49 deer were taken in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Rules: CDFW's 2026-2027 land use regulations (updated July 1, 2026). Boundary and acres: CDFW. Zones: CDFW. Land around it: CPAD 2026a.
National forestCDFW landState parkOther state or federal landHope Valley WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 2,952 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 2, North Central Region |
| County | Alpine |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Closures | Closed to hunting from February 1 until the opening of archery deer season. |
| Camping | Backpack camping allowed east of Highway 89 only. |
| Deer zone | Zone X8 |
| Nearest towns | Alpine Village (5 mi), Meyers (5 mi) and Mesa Vista (5 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Hope Valley Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Hope Valley WA needs no hunting pass; the rows below are CDFW's own limits for it.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Camping | Whole area | Backpack camping allowed east of Highway 89 only. |
| Fire | Whole area | Fires are prohibited except for the use of portable gas stoves. |
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | Closed to hunting from February 1 until the opening of archery deer season. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Hope Valley Wildlife Area has maps and contacts. Deer, elk and pronghorn hunting also follow the zone's own season and tag.
What does CDFW say about Hope Valley Wildlife Area?
Hope Valley Wildlife Area consists of approximately 2,900 acres of high elevation wet meadow, montane chaparral, Jeffrey pine forest, and aspen-lodgepole pine forest communities. Wildlife species commonly seen here include mule deer, black bear, bobcat, blue grouse, northern goshawk, Clark's nutcracker, and white-headed woodpecker. The west fork of the Carson River flows through the southern portion of the property, supporting beaver and occasionally willow flycatcher.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Deer, bear, rabbit, tree squirrel, quail, grouse, and dove may be present.
CDFW lists big game, small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing, fishing, hiking trails and camping.
Facilities, in CDFW's words: Disabled accessible parking and restroom facilities are located on the west side of Pickett's Junction on Highway 88. Disabled accessible fishing piers are located north of the restroom.
From CDFW's page for Hope Valley Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Hope Valley Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Hope Valley WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone X8 | 2,952 | 49 deer taken in 2025, 24.3% hunter success; 2026 general season September 26 to October 11 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Hope Valley WA: hunt A-15 (Zone X-8 Archery Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Hope Valley Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 71,853 acres of national forest, 3,056 acres of CDFW land and 82 acres of other state or federal land.
How do you get to Hope Valley Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: The Wildlife Area spans Highway 89 at its junction with Highway 88, known as Pickett's Junction. Expansion areas are located south of this main parcel on both sides of Highway 88.
CDFW's location note: Approximately 12 miles south of South Lake Tahoe. Highways within 8 miles: CA 89, CA 88 and US 50. Nearest towns: Alpine Village (5 miles), Meyers (5 miles), Mesa Vista (5 miles) and Kirkwood (6 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Hope Valley Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Type C areas are open daily for all legal species, unless CDFW's area rules say otherwise. CDFW's closure: Closed to hunting from February 1 until the opening of archery deer season.
Can you camp on Hope Valley Wildlife Area?
CDFW's rule: Backpack camping allowed east of Highway 89 only. Where camping is allowed, a visitor may stay up to seven nights in a row and fourteen nights a year (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Hope Valley Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone X8, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 49 deer were taken in Zone X8 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Hope Valley Wildlife Area?
Alpine Village (5 miles), Meyers (5 miles) and Mesa Vista (5 miles), by the Census Bureau's places.
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Where these facts come from
- Rules: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations.
- Boundary and acres: CDFW public access lands (BIOS ds3077); CDFW, Hope Valley Wildlife Area.
- Zones: CDFW BIOS zone layers. Surrounding public land: California Protected Areas Database (CPAD) 2026a.
- Deer harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025).
FilledTag is not part of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.