Bear Wallow Wilderness
The Bear Wallow Wilderness was the origin point of, the Wallow Fire of June 2011, the largest wildfire in Arizona history. Though much of the area was affected by the fire, much of the wilderness experienced...
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net), where the full text continues.
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | U.S. Forest Service |
| State | Arizona |
| Size | 11,235 acres (Wilderness Connect) |
| Designated | 1984, by Congress |
| Center point | 33.6024, -109.4544 |
| Night sky | About as dark as the ground gets (Black Marble reading 12) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Where to camp
No federal campground sits inside the boundary. 3 are within ten miles of it. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedD7 Brushy Mtn South Rx
42 mi from the center point
- PrescribedD7 Rhoton Seep Rx
43 mi from the center point
- PrescribedD7 Butler West Rx
43 mi from the center point
- PrescribedD7 Apprentice Rx
45 mi from the center point
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge, and is measured from the center of a boundary that may be many miles across. Check the agency page for closures.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 8.7 miPs Knoll Lookout Complex ↗Maverick, AZ
- 14.4 miBear Mountain Lookout Complex ↗Mogollon Rim, AZ
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Bear Wallow Wilderness?
11,235 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Bear Wallow Wilderness?
The U.S. Forest Service.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Bear Wallow Wilderness in?
Arizona.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Bear Wallow Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1984.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Bear Wallow Wilderness?
No federal campground sits inside the boundary. The nearest is KP Cienega Campground, 1.6 miles out. 3 in all are within ten miles. Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities; the managing agency page has the permit rules.
Source: Where to camp
How do I get to Bear Wallow Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 33.602, -109.454. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Is there a fire near Bear Wallow Wilderness right now?
4 active incidents within 50 miles as of 2026-09-17, the nearest D7 Brushy Mtn South Rx at 42 miles. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge.
Source: Fire nearby
How dark is the night sky at Bear Wallow Wilderness?
NASA’s Black Marble night-lights image reads 12 on a 0 to 255 scale at the center point, about as dark as the ground gets.
Source: NASA Black Marble
Are there historic places near Bear Wallow Wilderness?
2 National Register listings within 15 miles, including Ps Knoll Lookout Complex and Bear Mountain Lookout Complex.
Source: Register Atlas
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.