Location and Description

The 30,760-acre Mount Tipton Wilderness is located in Mohave County, 25 miles north of Kingman, Arizona. This wilderness includes the entire northern half of the imposing Cerbat Mountains. Although Mount Tipton Peak, at 7,148 feet, dominates the wilderness, the true centerpiece and main scenic attraction here is the Cerbat Pinnacles. Located north of and below Mount Tipton, the Pinnacles, immense tusk-like rows of maroon-colored spires, stand majestically above open, tawny-colored valleys.

Large and topographically complex, the Mount Tipton Wilderness provides a wide range of hiking, backpacking, photography, and horseback riding opportunities. Visitors capable of making the climb to the top of Mount Tipton can examine a remnant stand of large ponderosa pine located below the peak to the northeast, and will enjoy unsurpassed views in all directions.

Access

With the exception of the Big Wash Road Access, 4-wheel drive is recommended for all described access routes.  (See Map) (pdf)

• Antelope Canyon Access: Turn east onto the Pierce Ferry Road from Highway 93 at milepost 42. Proceed north and east through Dolan Springs to 19th Street. Turn right on 19th Street and proceed for 0.6 miles. Turn right on Ocotillo Drive and proceed for 1.0 mile. Turn left on 17th Street and proceed for 0.2 miles. Turn right on Orchid Street and proceed 0.5 miles. Turn left onto 16th Street (no sign) and proceed one block. Turn right onto Palm Street and proceed 0.5 miles, at which point you have reached the wilderness boundary. A jeep trail continues south another 1.5 miles along the boundary to a parking area.
• Twentysix Wash Access: Proceed north on Stockton Hill Road from Kingman. Approximately 20 miles north of town, turn left onto Cane Springs Ranch Road and follow it for about 2 miles to an intersection. At this point you will see a sign that states that access onto private land is by permission only. The ranch headquarters will be to the right. Once permission has been acquired, come back to this intersection, proceed south for about 0.5 mile, and turn right through a wire gate in a fence. Follow this jeep trail for about 1.5 miles to the wilderness boundary.
• Indian Springs Access: Turn east onto the Pierce Ferry Road from Highway 93 at milepost 42. Proceed 1.5 miles toward Dolan Springs and turn right onto 5th Street. Follow this road for about 4.5 miles until you run into a fence. Turn left, following the fence, for about 0.1 mile, and turn right through the gate in the fence. Follow this jeep road for 0.8 mile to the parking area.
• Marble Canyon Access: Proceed to milepost 48 on Highway 93. Go through the gate on the east side of the highway onto a jeep trail. Follow this jeep trail, which bypasses a corral and water tank, and then parallels a wire fence, for about 0.7 miles. Go through the gate in the fence and follow the trail another 2 miles, bearing right at one point where an obscure fork in the road exists. Proceed through another gate. Another 0.25 mile further on, take the left fork in the road. Proceed another 0.5 mile, at which point you have reached the wilderness area. Parking is at your discretion along this road, keeping in mind that the wilderness area is to either side of you, 30 feet off of the road.
• Big Wash Road Access: Proceed to milepost 51 on Highway 93. Turn east onto a maintained dirt road, known as the Big Wash Road, for about 4.5 miles. At this point, the wilderness area will be on your left. Parking along the Big Wash Road is at your discretion, but be sure not to create a hazard to other traffic.

Limitations

The terrain in Mt. Tipton is extremely rugged. A few old vehicle ways provide hiking routes in some places, but the most commonly used routes are the sand washes which dissect the area.

Water is relatively scarce in this part of the Cerbat Mountains. Springs shown on topographic maps can generally be relied upon for drinking water. Following rainy weather, pothole water is available, but can dry up quickly. Purification of all water is a necessity.

The summer climate in this area is harsh, with temperatures in the daytime often exceeding 100 degrees. Temperatures are more moderate between October and April. During winter months it can be quite cold and snow is possible at the higher elevations.

Nonfederal Lands

Some lands within and around the wilderness are not federally administered. Please respect the property rights of the owners and do not cross or use these lands without their permission.

Related Maps

• 7.5 minute Topographic: Chloride, Mount Tipton, Dolan Springs, Grasshopper Junction
• 1:100,000 BLM Surface Management: Boulder City, Davis Dam 
• Game and Fish Management Unit 15B

For more information contact:

Bureau of Land Management
Kingman Field Office
2755 Mission Boulevard
Kingman, AZ 86401-3629
(928) 718-3700

"In wildness is the preservation of the world."
Henry David Thoreau