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

Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness

Map
Legal Description
7.5 Topo Map 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Photo Gallery

Size: 86,527 acres. Chuckwalla Mountains

Location: Riverside County; 40 miles west of Blythe, California (Note: Boundary set backs from roads or trails are 30 to 300 feet) 

Area Description : Rising like an island from a vast sea of sand and rock are the Chuckwalla Mountains. Included within the walls of this rock fortress are a seemingly endless variety of landforms, textures, and colors. Steep-walled canyons, inland valleys, large and small washes, isolated rock outcrops and vast desert expanses interact to form a constantly changing panorama. The plant and wildlife species are as uniquely diverse. Bighorn sheep, burro deer, raptors, snakes, coyotes and fox are just a few of the many creatures choosing the Chuckwalla Mountains as their home. The southwestern bajada region has been identified as highly crucial habitat for the desert tortoise. Ocotillo, cholla, yucca, creosote and barrel and foxtail cactus cover the landscape and provide seclusion.

Getting There : From the north, Interstate 10 provides eastern access to Corn Springs and Du Pont Roads via the Corn Springs exit. The Red Cloud Road exit from Interstate 10 provides access from the west, and the Bradshaw Trail provides access to the wilderness from the south.

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:
    • Chuckwalla - #18
    • Salton Sea - #20
       
  • USGS 7.5 Quadrangle Maps:
    • Augustine Pass
    • Aztec Mines
    • Chuckwalla Spring
    • Corn Spring
    • Desert Center
    • East of Aztec Mines
    • Iris Pass
    • Pilot Mountain
    • Red Cloud Canyon
    • Sidewinder Well

Contact:

Palm Springs Field Office

California Desert District

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