Red Lake Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Red Lake Wildlife Area is 848 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 landRed Lake WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 848 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 2, North Central Region |
| County | Alpine |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Closures | Closed to hunting February 1 through August 31 except during archery deer season. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone X8 |
| Nearest towns | Kirkwood (4 mi), Meyers (7 mi) and Markleeville (7 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Red Lake Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Red Lake WA needs no hunting pass; the rows below are CDFW's own limits for it.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | Closed to hunting February 1 through August 31 except during 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 Red Lake 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 Red Lake Wildlife Area?
Red Lake Wildlife Area is a total of 860 acres. The vegetation surrounding Red Lake is characteristic of red-fir and lodgepole-fir forest. Open slopes are dominated by sagebrush with bitterbrush and serviceberry. Forestdale Creek and the other drainages around Red Lake are lined with willows and aspen groves. Common wildlife species include deer, coyote, jackrabbit, quail, flicker, warblers, red-tailed hawk, golden eagle, golden-mantled ground squirrel, marmot, and beaver. Fish species in Red Lake consist of brook trout and suckers; Forestdale Creek contains rainbow and brook trout.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Game species include Rocky Mountain mule deer, black bear, black-tailed jackrabbit, tree squirrel, mountain quail and blue grouse.
CDFW lists big game, small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing, fishing and hiking trails.
From CDFW's page for Red Lake Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Red Lake Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Red Lake WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone X8 | 848 | 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 Red Lake 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 Red Lake Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 57,950 acres of national forest and 1,696 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Red Lake Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: The Wildlife Area can be accessed on both the north and east sides of Red Lake. The north entrance is located on State Highway 88, one mile east of Carson Pass. To enter on the east side, take Blue Lakes Road from Highway 88 to Red Vista Road. Parking is available at both locations.
CDFW's location note: One mile east of Carson Pass. Highways within 8 miles: CA 88, CA 89 and US 50. Nearest towns: Kirkwood (4 miles), Meyers (7 miles), Markleeville (7 miles) and Alpine Village (9 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Red Lake 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 February 1 through August 31 except during archery deer season.
Can you camp on Red Lake Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Red Lake Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Red Lake 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 Red Lake Wildlife Area?
Kirkwood (4 miles), Meyers (7 miles) and Markleeville (7 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, Red Lake 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.