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

Hikers pause to check out plants in the Bright Star Wilderness Area

Bright Star Wilderness

Map
Legal Description
7.5 Topo Map 1, 2, 3, 4

Size: 8,190 acres. Bright Star

Location: Kern County; 26 miles southwest of Ridgecrest, California (Note: Boundary set backs from roads or trails are 30 to 300 feet)

Area Description : This wilderness surrounds Kelso Peak and associated drainages to the north, south and east. To the west, the Kelso Mountain system is contiguous with the Piute Mountain Range in the Sequoia National Forest. Vegetation varies: upper slopes of the 5,000 foot Kelso Peak are dotted with pinyon pine and juniper trees; intervening slopes are brushy with large granite rock outcroppings; and the boulder-strewn valley supports dense stands of Joshua trees. The varied habitats of the Mojave Desert, Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley and Transverse Ranges ecoregions allow for a wide diversity of wildlife. The entire wilderness is included within the BLM Jawbone-Butterbredt Area of Critical Environmental Concern, an area set aside for cultural and wildlife values.

Getting There : Access to this wilderness is via State Highway 178 east of Bakersfield and along Kelso Valley Road, or via State Highway 14 south of Red Rock Canyon State Park and along Jawbone 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:
    • Isabella Lake
    • Tehachapi 
  • USGS 7.5 Quadrangle Maps:
    • Cane Canyon
    • Claraville
    • Woolstalf Creek
    • Pin on Mountain

Contact:

Ridgecrest Field Office

California Desert District

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