U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
California

Argus Range Wilderness

Map
Legal Description
7.5 Topo Map 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Exhibit A of 5, 6, 7, 8

Size: 65,700 acres. Argus Range

Location: Inyo County; 5 miles east of Darwin, California and 25 miles northeast of Ridgecrest, California (Note: Boundary set backs from roads or trails are 30 to 300 feet)

Area Description : This wilderness contains a 28 mile stretch of the Argus range, a long and narrow mountain chain along the west side of Panamint Valley.

Elevations range from 2,800 feet on the east side to more than 7,500 feet on the west side of the wilderness, which is adjacent to the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station. Steep mountain slopes and highly dissected canyons characterize the Argus Range. Several springs are located within this dry desert mountain range, providing water for a small population of desert bighorn sheep. Remains of historic mining activity and a few prehistoric sites are scattered throughout the area. Vegetation types include creosote scrub plant community on the lower slopes, scattered pinyon-juniper plant communities on the high slopes and relatively little vegetation on the steep mountain slopes and canyon walls.

Getting There : Access this wilderness via State Highways 190 or 178 to Panamint Valley Road through Panamint Valley. Numerous four wheel drive routes turn off Nadeau Trail providing access to canyons on the east side. On the south side, access is via Homewood Canyon off State Highway 178.

Nonfederal Lands: Private lands may lie within the wilderness area. Please respect the owner and do not use these lands without permission.

Additional Information :

Signs indicating "Wilderness" and "Closed Road" or "Closed Route" are placed at various intervals.  Vehicles can be parked outside the wilderness boundary; however, the boundary is set back 30 feet from unmaintained dirt roads and 300 feet on paved roads.

Mechanized or motorized vehicles are NOT PERMITTED in a wilderness.

Hunting, fishing, and non-commercial trapping are allowed under state and local laws.

Pet are allowed, but please keep your pets under control at all times.

Horses are permitted, however you may be required to carry feed.

Removal, disturbance, or attempting to remove archaelogical materials is a felony.  Selling, receiving, purchasing, transporting, exchanging or offering to do so is prohibited by law.

CAMPING: Camping is permitted, limited to 14 days.  After 14 days, campers must relocate at least 25 miles from previous site.

Help BLM preserve California's fragile deserts.  Please park your vehicle or set up camp in previously disturbed sites.

Gathering wood for campfires, when permitted, is limited to dead and down materials.  Do not cut live vegetation.

The BLM encourages all desert recreationists and travelers exploring public lands, not only within southern California but through the west, to use propylene glycol based antifreeze/coolant in their touring and recreation vehicles.  Proven safer, it will have minimal impacts on the wildlife and the environment should a leak occur.

Darwin Falls Wilderness is located to the northwest.  Death Valley National Park is located to the north and east.  The west boundary is the China Lake Naval Weapons Station.  The wilderness areas to the east are Surprise Canyon and Manly Peak. 

Maps:

  • Desert Access Guide:
    • Ridgecrest
    • Darwin Hills
  • USGS 7.5 Quadrangle Maps:
    • China Gardens
    • Darwin
    • Homewood Canyon
    • Maturango Peak
    • Maturango Peak South East
    • Panamint Springs
    • Revenue Canyon
    • Slate Range Crossing

Contact:

Ridgecrest Field Office

California Desert District

[Back]Go to BLM Wilderness List
Please send comments to:
Paul Brink, California Wilderness Coordinator
pbrink@ca.blm.gov