Located in the Tahoe National Forest in California.

The 25,700 acre Granite Chief Wilderness is a scenic and varied area with forests, meadows and exposed rock. The wilderness is located at the headwaters of the American River. Terrain varies from granite cliffs to glaciated valleys and dissected slopes. The wilderness contains several major streams. The southern part of the wilderness is forested with mixed conifer, red fir and lodgepole pine at higher elevations, and deciduous and evergreen woodlands further down. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses this area. The wilderness is lightly use except for Five Lakes Basin, which receives heavy use.