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

Darwin Falls Wilderness

Size: 8,187 acres. Darwin Falls

Location: Inyo County; 3 miles north of Darwin, California and 25 miles northeast of Olancha, California (Note: Boundary set backs from roads or trails are 30 to 300 feet)

Area Description : Although named Darwin Falls Wilderness, the falls actually are under the administration of the adjoining Death Valley National Park. The Darwin Plateau and Darwin Hills form the landscape of this wilderness. The plateau, which is cut by numerous shallow depressions and canyons, displays a variety of volcanic rock faces and exposures. Vegetation is typical of a creosote bush scrub community with Joshua tree woodland at higher elevations. Wildlife species include nesting and foraging habitat for prairie falcon.

Getting There : Access to this wilderness is via State Highway 190 through Panamint Valley approximately 30 miles east of Olancha and along the road into Darwin or down the Darwin Canyon Road. Travelers should check road conditions before driving.

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.

Maps:

Desert Access Guide:

Darwin Hills

USGS 7.5 Quadrangle Maps:

Darwin

Contact:

Ridgecrest Field Office

California Desert District

Go to BLM Wilderness List

Please send comments to:
Paul Brink, California Wilderness Coordinator
pbrink@ca.blm.gov