About Piute Mountains Wilderness
This wilderness area mainly consists of the Piute Mountains with elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,132 feet. Vegetation consists of creosote bush scrub, which gradually changes into a mixed desert scrub at higher elevations. The dry washes are characterized by catclaw acacia, smoketree, cheesebush, desert lavender, little-leaf ratany, and desert almond. Wildlife is also typical for the Mojave Desert; including coyote, black-tailed jackrabbits, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, quail, roadrunners, rattlesnakes, and several species of lizards. The area provides transient ranges for mule deer and bighorn sheep. The wilderness is located in the northern part of the sector and consists of 48,080 acres. OHV intrusions are prevalent along the Piute Crossing road which dissects the wilderness. The crossing road receives most of its usage during hunting season when hunters access the Fenner Spring which is located within the wilderness area.
How to Get There
From Needles, CA, take I-40 west approx. 25 miles to the Mountain Springs Road exit. Exit south and take National Trails Highway west approx. 5 miles to BLM Route NS050 - Piute Crossing. Turn left on Piute Crossing. The wilderness area will be on both sides of the roadway.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Piute Mountains Wilderness
Heading to Piute Mountains Wilderness? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Piute Mountains Wilderness?
No central reservation system listed for Piute Mountains Wilderness. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/13463) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Piute Mountains Wilderness?
From Needles, CA, take I-40 west approx. 25 miles to the Mountain Springs Road exit. Exit south and take National Trails Highway west approx. 5 miles to BLM Route NS050 - Piute Crossing. Turn left on Piute Crossing. The wilderness area will be on both sides of the roadway.
How do I contact Piute Mountains Wilderness?
You can reach the park at phone: 760-326-7000 or email: BLM_CA_Web_NE@blm.gov.
References & Official Resources
